Aetna Signs Contract With Indian River Medical Center

Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) announced today it has reached agreement with Indian River Medical Center on a three-year contract that adds the hospital to Aetna’s provider network in the Central Florida area. The agreement takes effect March 1.

“This is a very positive development for our members,” said Ruth Fricke, Aetna’s head of network operations in Florida. “The addition of Indian River Medical Center significantly expands Aetna’s hospital access in the Vero Beach area. We’re hopeful it will enhance our efforts to attract new customers and retain existing ones.”

Under the agreement, members of Aetna network-based plans will be able to receive covered in-patient and out-patient services, at in-network rates, from the Indian River Medical Center, which operates a 335-bed hospital in Vero Beach.

Aetna provides and administers health benefits to more than 225,000 members in Central Florida. Those members have access to a contracted network of 33 hospitals, 1,378 primary care physicians and 3,111 specialists.

Indian River Medical Center (IRMC) is a 335-bed, not-for-profit, community hospital that, with its related facilities, occupies a medical-services campus of more than 80 acres off U.S. Route 1 in Vero Beach, Fla. Its staff of health care professionals includes more than 240 affiliated physicians representing 40 different specialties who provide a wide range of quality medical care and services.

Founded by Garnett Radin, R.N., in 1932, the hospital celebrated its 75th anniversary of serving the community recently. With all private rooms, IRMC is the second-largest employer in Indian River County with more than 1,670 employees. IRMC is accredited by the Joint Commission and a number of departments and services have received state and national certification.