Community Health System restores partial services for Fresno Unified retirees
Community Health System has agreed to restore certain services for thousands of Fresno Unified’s retirees who abruptly lost health care access on New Year’s Day due to an insurance network dispute.
Through mid-February, Community Health System will accept Fresno Unified retirees who are on Aetna’s Medicare Advantage PPO Plan for clinic visits and to obtain prescription refills while the hospital system continues to reach an agreement with Aetna, a spokesperson told The Bee in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
In addition, the region’s largest hospital system will continue the care provisions for those in active treatment, such as but not limited to cancer care, according to the statement. CHS will also provide emergency services for patients, regardless of insurance status.
For other services, the Community Health system will request approval from Atena on a case by case basis, said Craig A. Wagoner, president and chief executive officer of Community Health System.
“We are working with Fresno Unified to help ensure FUSD retirees have access to our hospitals and providers during our negotiations with Aetna and to minimize disruption in care,” Wagoner said.
Wagoner said the hospital system is working to resolve its contract negotiation with Aetna as soon as possible. Community Health System is demanding reimbursement from Aetna, Fresno Unified’s for-profit PPO insurer, that covers the cost of the care. It’s vital for the region’s most essential healthcare provider to remain financially stable to continue serving the needs of Valley residents, Wagoner said.
About 6,200 Fresno Unified retirees and dependents are enrolled in Atena’s Medicare Advantage program, approximately 25% of whom received primary care services under the network of clinics and hospitals that dominate the local market, according to Fresno Unified.
Fresno Unified administrations and union leaders met with Community Health System’s leadership on Wednesday morning to discuss the matter, according to district officials.
Earlier this week, Fresno Unified and the teachers’ union at a press conference urged Community Health System to continue serving district retirees amid the stalled network negotiations.
Superintendent Misty Her said the district received a wave of messages from retirees about their doctors abruptly discontinuing care, delays or denials in accessing medications, and being turned away from essential services.
“We strongly encourage and urge Community Regional Medical Centers and Aetna to resolve this matter immediately, as quickly as possible, and our retirees should never be treated as bargaining chips because they deserve dignity and care,” Her said at Wednesday evening’s school board meeting.
This story was originally published January 14, 2026 at 5:39 PM.
