Aetna announced plans to expand its Clinical Collaboration Program with hospitals. The program focuses on improving outcomes for Medicare Advantage members by lowering hospital readmissions and unnecessary ER visits. It does this by placing nurses on-site to support hospital staff during care transitions.
According to the announcement, these nurses assist patients transitioning from hospital discharge to skilled nursing facilities or home care, helping to ease the provider’s workload during this process. Aetna aims to have the program implemented in 10 hospitals by the end of the year and is currently partnering with AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Houston Methodist, and WakeMed Health & Hospitals.
“Hospital discharge is one of the most critical—and vulnerable—stages in a patient’s care journey,” said Aetna Chief Medical Officer Ben Kornitzer, M.D. “Patients often face new diagnoses, complex medication regimens, and follow-up care needs, all while managing the stress of returning home or moving to a new facility.”
“By embedding Aetna nurses within hospitals, we collaborate closely with care teams to support members throughout the entire process, ensuring they receive the right services to stay healthy and prevent complications that could result in readmission,” Kornitzer added.
Aetna noted that the program’s initial rollout began earlier this year, with about 25% of members actively engaging with a care manager through the initiative.
The company also referenced a 2024 study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which found nearly 20% of Medicare enrollees are readmitted within 30 days. Aetna estimates that its Clinical Collaboration Program will reduce 30-day readmission rates and hospital stays by 5% annually once fully implemented.
