Aetna and Community Medical Centers and Community Health Partners have reached a resolution on a contract extension. Photo illustration by Cecilia Lopez

After weeks of uncertainty, a contract dispute affecting the health coverage of retired Fresno Unified educators has been resolved, but negotiations continue on other agreements, testing patient access across the Valley. 

Aetna issue resolved for Fresno Unified retirees

Community Health System has reached a resolution on contract issues with Aetna, which affected a reported 6,200 retired Fresno Unified educators enrolled in Medicare plans.

The lapse left retirees in limbo after negotiations failed to conclude prior to the Dec. 31, 2025, deadline.

The contract, now resolved, is retroactive to Jan. 1, ensuring that retirees had no lapse in coverage during the negotiation phase.

Adventist Health — Santé negotiations continue

The resolution comes as the Central Valley faces another potential network disruption. Adventist Health and Santé Community Physicians were working to avoid a Feb. 15 contract termination that would affect HMO patients across Fresno and Kings counties.

Last month, Kiyoshi Tomono, partnership executive with Adventist Health’s Central California Network, said both sides remained optimistic about reaching an agreement before the deadline.

“We are deeply committed to our Central Valley communities and to the Santé members who rely on us for care,” Tomono said. “Discussions with Santé remain ongoing, and our position is clear: We must be reimbursed fairly for the cost of the care we provide so we can continue delivering high-quality healthcare today and sustain services for years to come.”

If no deal is reached, patients with HMO plans through UnitedHealthcare, Blue Shield and Blue Cross who see Adventist Health physicians through the Santé network would need to find new primary care providers. The Adventist Health Physician Network includes more than 450 providers across Fresno and Kings counties.

The Santé dispute would mark the second major insurance network change for Adventist Health in recent months. In late 2024, Adventist Health ended its contract with Visalia-based Key Medical Group, affecting patients with Humana Medicare Advantage plans.

Blue Shield to cover patients amid Community negotiations

Blue Shield of California and Community Medical Centers are also locked in negotiations following the expiration of their current agreement on Jan. 31.

Community and Blue Shield declined to extend the contract while talks were ongoing, allowing it to expire at the end of January. Negotiations are still ongoing between the two parties.

Blue Shield had previously told members that alternative in-network hospital services would remain available at St. Agnes Medical Center and Valley Children’s Hospital during any disruption in coverage.

This story will be updated.