UW Medicine and Aetna have reached a new agreement, restoring in-network coverage for more than 50,000 patients after a month-long lapse in contract.

The prior agreement expired June 1, prompting UW Medicine to notify tens of thousands of patients that they could face higher costs or disrupted care. The new deal, announced July 3, ensures that services delivered during the gap will still be covered at in-network rates.

The agreement affects major UW Medicine locations, including Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center – Montlake and Northwest campuses, primary and urgent care clinics, and physician services at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

UW Medicine CEO Dr. Tim Dellit called the deal “fair, sustainable, and in the best interests of our patients,” emphasizing the need for reimbursement rates that support the health system’s role as Washington’s safety net provider.

Negotiations had stalled over rate disagreements, with UW Medicine citing Aetna’s low reimbursements and Aetna warning of rising healthcare costs. The resolution allows patients to continue seeing their existing UW doctors without needing to change providers or pay out-of-network prices.