Fresno Unified confirms retirees on Aetna can see their doctors at Community until February 20

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- On Thursday, Fresno Unified leaders formally announced a breakthrough for territory retirees connected Aetna wellness insurance.

"Community Medical Centers has agreed to an hold of entree for retirees," Superintendent Misty Her said.

The impermanent sum astatine Community Medical Centers for thousands of retirees who mislaid in-network entree connected January 1 volition see visits to their doctors and medicine refills done February 20.

The expiration is 36 days away, and Aetna and Community stay astatine an impasse. They are incapable to hold connected caller rates for lasting in-network coverage.

Retirees similar Emily Brandt, who taught English astatine Bullard High for 22 years, are present caught successful the middle.

"Every idiosyncratic is struggling with this the mode I americium struggling," she told Action News. "I whitethorn look fine, but I don't consciousness fine."

Brandt has a uncommon signifier of crab that affects 3 successful a cardinal people. She received announcement that her appointments astatine Community facilities this week got canceled.

Now, Brandt is taking the bonzer measurement of traveling crossed the state for treatment.

"I'm going to Boston and hoping to get a attraction there," she said. "They volition judge our security astatine Dana-Farber, but Community doesn't."

On Thursday, the territory besides announced a caller program retirees tin prime for sum successful 2027. Leaders accidental it is akin to the self-funded program they switched distant from years ago.

We pressed them astir that move.

"Was it a mistake to power distant from the self-funded enactment successful 2023?" Action News asked.

"I volition reply that question directly," Fresno Teachers Association President Manuel Bonilla said. "This tin and has happened if you bash a precise speedy Google search. This is simply a declaration quality betwixt a web supplier and a aesculapian work provider."

With the Aetna and Community continuing to negotiate, Brendt is present near hoping for a solution.

"Who bash you privation to talk to directly? Is it FTA? Is it FUSD? Is it Community? Is it Aetna? Who bash you privation to perceive your message?" Action News asked.

"I would similar (to hear) from Community and from Aetna to see, exactly, the numbers," she said. "I'd similar to cognize what are they charging?"

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