Banner|Aetna to Enter the Affordable Care Act Marketplace in Arizona

Banner|Aetna

Banner|Aetna, a joint venture owned by Banner Health and Aetna/CVS, will offer health insurance plans to residents of Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties through Arizona’s individual marketplace (also known as the Exchange) effective January 1, 2022. Previously, the insurer marketed health benefit plans exclusively to employers in the state.

With this announcement, residents of these three counties can now enroll in coverage that brings together the clinical expertise of Banner Health, one of the largest non-profit health systems in the U.S., with the resources of Aetna, a CVS Health company. Individuals can purchase the coverage via healthcare.gov or through Banner|Aetna’s own website, even if they are receiving subsidies that lower premium costs.

These new Gold, Silver and Bronze health plans give members access to Banner|Aetna’s high-performance network of health care providers, no- or low-cost 24/7 access to virtual primary care, and 24-hour Nurse Now access. Additionally, the plans provide members with unique and convenient retail, pharmacy, and no- or low-cost health care services offered at MinuteClinic®, CVS® HealthHUB and CVS Pharmacy locations across Arizona.

“As an Arizona-based company, we are excited to offer affordable, high-quality coverage to individual members and their families,” said Tom Grote, CEO of Banner|Aetna. “We’re a unique kind of insurance company in that we team with high-performing local physicians and hospitals to discover new ways to help consumers navigate the health care system and access high-quality care.”

Grote added that consumers can expect Banner|Aetna premium prices for individuals and families to be competitive, regardless of whether they opt for the Gold, Silver or Bronze plan.

“Banner Health is proud to play a key role in helping to transform care at the local level through Banner|Aetna,” said Chuck Lehn, president of Banner Health Network. “As an organization already committed to providing the best possible care, we’re now using that same expertise to help bring innovative health benefits to so many Arizonans.”

Along with an enhanced direct enrollment experience via Banner|Aetna’s website, the plan also features:

  • No- or low-cost visits at any of the 36 MinuteClinic / HealthHUB locations in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties that offer convenient locations, flexible hours, and one-on-one concierge support for acute and chronic care needs.
  • No- or low-cost on-demand, text-based primary care through 98point6, providing members with 24/7/365 access to board-certified doctors for diagnosis and treatment anywhere, anytime.
  • 20% off select CVS Health-branded health and wellness products at any one of the 10,000 pharmacy locations.
  • 90-day refills and no-cost direct specialty drug prescription delivery through Banner Family Pharmacy.
  • A simplified member experience that lets consumers pay their premium at any CVS Pharmacy and manage their account with a mobile app or online.
  • Nurse Now line 24/7/365 support, which allows members to consult with a registered nurse day or night.

“With the combined strength of Banner Health, Aetna and CVS Health, we are uniquely positioned to provide greater value for consumers, particularly the Arizonans who are uninsured or underinsured,” said Dan Finke, executive vice president, CVS Health, president, Aetna. “Our human-centered approach to health care helps connect people to the services and support they want – in their neighborhood, home and virtually anywhere they need us.”

Open enrollment begins November 1.

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