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WASHINGTON--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Aetna (NYSE: [ AET ]) announced today that Providence Hospital has been added to its network of participating hospitals for Medicare Advantage members. Providence Hospital, which has been part of Aetnaas commercial network for several years, agreed to a multi-year contract to also provide care for Medicare Advantage customers.

"We pride ourselves in offering our customers broad access to quality hospitals and physicians. This agreement expands that access for our Medicare Advantage members in the nationas capital."

Members of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans can receive care, under in-network prices and conditions, from the 570-bed Providence Hospital and the Carroll Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

aAetna is very pleased to announce this collaboration with Providence Hospital,a said Stuart Verch, head of Aetnaas Medicare Advantage operation for Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. aWe pride ourselves in offering our customers broad access to quality hospitals and physicians. This agreement expands that access for our Medicare Advantage members in the nationas capital.a

Aetna provides Medicare Advantage plans to approximately 14,000 beneficiaries in the region.

aAetna has been a long-standing partner with Providence in serving the needs of our surrounding community,a said Dr. Raymond L. Cox, senior vice president for medical affairs at the hospital. aProvidence is pleased to now be able to provide quality health care to Aetna Medicare members as a new part of the Aetna Medicare network. We look forward to treating all of our Aetna patients with joy, care and respect.a

About Providence Hospital

Chartered by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, Providence Hospital is the longest continuously operating hospital in the nation's capital. Its strengths in medicine, surgery, and diagnostics blend with its values and commitment to human dignity to provide healthcare people can have faith in. Providence is part of [ Ascension Health ], the nation's largest Catholic and nonprofit health system, setting the standard for quality, holistic care and access. Its share the spirit of its founders and all who serve in Ascension Health, caring for those most in need.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.4 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see [ www.aetna.com ].