Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today that it has expanded its relationship with Sarasota Memorial Hospital by reaching agreement on a long-term contract that will provide access for Aetna’s Medicare Advantage members. This agreement marks the first time Sarasota Memorial has agreed to participate in a Medicare Advantage network plan.

Under this new agreement, which takes effect Nov. 1, Aetna Medicare Advantage plan members will be able to receive covered services, at in-network rates, from Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The hospital has participated in Aetna’s commercial network for several years and will continue to do so under this long-term deal.

"Aetna is excited about this new, expanded agreement with Sarasota Memorial,” said Jim McCunney, Aetna’s vice president of network management for Tampa/West Central and Southwest Florida. “Sarasota Memorial has provided excellent care to our commercial-plan members for several years, and we’re delighted to offer access to their facilities for our Medicare Advantage plan members.”

“Aetna has established a strong track record with Sarasota Memorial through its commercial plans, and we are pleased to not only renew, but to expand our provider agreement to better meet the needs of Medicare Advantage members,” said Sarasota Memorial Chief Financial Officer David Verinder.

Aetna provides health benefits to approximately 400,000 members in the Tampa/West Central and Southwest Florida areas. Those members have access to a network that includes 60 contracted hospitals and more than 8,500 primary care physicians and specialists.

About Sarasota Memorial Hospital

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of inpatient, outpatient and extended care services. Its 806-bed hospital is one of Florida’s largest acute care public hospitals. It is the only hospital in Southwest Florida ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals,” recognized among “America’s Safest Large Hospitals” by Forbes.com and awarded Magnet designation – the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.3 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional 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, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.