Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Banner|Aetna?
Banner|Aetna is an insurance company — a true partnership known as a joint venture that combines Banner’s fully integrated care teams and care-management capabilities with Aetna’s health plan experience and analytical insights. Our aim is to promote better health, enhance care coordination and clinical effectiveness and increase patient access to their own health information.
Why create this sort of partnership?
Does Banner|Aetna expect to see the same level of success as the Banner Health Network — Aetna Whole Health℠ ACO?
- 24 percent decrease in surgery admissions¹
- 4 percent increase in generic prescribing¹
- 11.5 percent overall reduction in medical costs (vs. expected costs for the market)¹
- More than $2.6 million in final fully insured savings for 2015¹
What are the goals of Banner|Aetna?
- Convenient and seamless member experience
- A new care model that empowers doctors and puts them in your neighborhood
- Personalized health care through analytics and digital tools
- Collaborative hospitals, doctors and enhanced access points
- Greater efficiency and affordability
We'll simplify how members shop for their health benefits, access doctors and pay for their care. And we'll streamline members’ interactions with us related to clinical care and administrative questions via our integrated portal and customer service team.
What are some real, noticeable differences a member can expect with Banner|Aetna?
Our members are at the heart of Banner|Aetna and because of that, we’re working on several key differentiators. Such as:
An online combined portal— One place to access both insurance and health care information by linking Aetna’s secure member site to Banner’s provider portal. This saves time and removes the hassle of figuring out where to go for information. Through this portal members can:
- Message their doctors directly
- Request prescription refills
- Schedule an appointment
- View lab and test results
- Track deductibles and health savings account spending
Integrated customer service — A toll-free number specifically for Banner|Aetna members to help resolve any administrative or clinical issues in one call. Representatives can also assist with claim payment in some cases. They will provide a direct transfer to the Banner Health Network Nurse On-Call line. Should additional clinical support be needed, members will be directly transferred to the Banner Health Network Nurse On-Call line. This service is available at no cost 24/7.The new toll-free number is on the back of the member’s ID card.
Easier and increased access to care — In addition to the Banner Health Network Nurse On-Call services, Banner|Aetna members will experience a truly unique approach to care. Our neighborhood care model and multi-disciplinary care teams allow a doctor to lead and direct a member’s care without barriers and administrative hassles. And, it puts care teams directly in the community for easy access and extended knowledge of local resources to aide every aspect of the member’s life.
Our clinical teams include a medical director, primary care physicians, specialists, nurses and pharmacists. These highly engaged and integrated teams have access to a member’s medical history and test results. In-network, Banner Health Network emergency rooms have electronic medical records with real-time technology that aide in personalized care planning. If a member is admitted to the hospital, they will be assigned a case manager. Their case manager can help coordinate their care during and after their stay.
Our multi-disciplinary care team oversees those members who require a higher level of care coordination and generate the highest claims.
What does the network look like?
Banner|Aetna features Banner Health’s network of doctors, health centers, clinics and hospitals, working together to provide high-quality health care. Doctors within the network will work with each other and clinical teams to ensure patients are healthier and satisfied with their care. The Banner|Aetna Performance network, which includes Maricopa, Pinal, Pima and Coconino counties also includes providers from HonorHealth, Banner University Medical Center & Medical Group, Tucson Medical Center, TMC One, Arizona Community Partners, El Rio Health, Northern Arizona Healthcare, Banner Page Hospital and Banner Primary care, Including:
- 2,956+ primary care doctors2
- 19,123+ specialists2
- 38 hospitals
- 172 urgent care centers
- 36 walk-in clinics
- 13 Banner Health Centers
Joining Banner|Aetna means joining the goal of higher quality of care, in more places, for more people. All backed by our strong network of providers to give employers and patients’ choices.
²Some providers practice solely within a facility setting and are not available to members for appointment.
Where are Banner|Aetna plans available?
Plans are offered in Maricopa, Pinal, Pima and Coconino counties. The recent expansion into Coconino county positions Banner|Aetna as a statewide solution.
To learn more about BannerlAetna and for additional resources, visit our resources page.
Transforming health care, together
Banner|Aetna aims to offer access to more efficient and effective member care at a more affordable cost. We join the right medical professionals with the right technology, so members benefit from quality, personalized health care designed to help them reach their health ambitions.
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