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Aetna Provider Survey Shows Positive Trends in Healthcare

The second Aetna Provider Survey has unveiled promising developments in the healthcare sector, showcasing an increase in provider trust towards payers and the potential benefits of digital tools to enhance patient outcomes. The survey, a quarterly initiative by Aetna®, a subsidiary of CVS Health®, aims to understand providers' perceptions and identify opportunities for improving the healthcare experience.

In this latest survey, the average provider-payer trust score rose to 6.1, up from 5.4 in the previous quarter. Notably, 38% of the surveyed providers rated payers 8 or higher on a scale from 1 to 10, demonstrating a significant shift in sentiment. The results revealed further insights:

• - 52% of providers believe payers consistently fulfill their commitments, marking a 16 percentage point increase.
• - 56% assert that payers offer clear coverage details, an increase of 12 percentage points.
• - 44% claim that payers assist patients in navigating the healthcare system, up by 6 percentage points.

Steve Nelson, Executive Vice President and President of Aetna, emphasized the importance of fostering trust in the healthcare system. He stated, “Trust is foundational in today’s healthcare. We must enhance the provider-payer relationship to realize true transformation.” Aetna has committed resources to listen to providers and respond to their needs, leading to positive feedback on their efforts.

Addressing Administrative Burden

A significant theme emerging from the survey is the persistent administrative burden faced by providers. Overwhelmingly, providers identified issues related to managing patient records and prior authorization as major pain points, with 84% of responses pointing towards these challenges. Specific concerns include:

• - Submitting prior authorization requests (58%)
• - Re-entering patient data (42%)
• - Claim submissions (41%)

To alleviate these burdens, providers are hopeful about technology-enabled solutions that promise to free up valuable time for patient care. Remarkably, over 30% of respondents expect to gain more than an hour back each day due to these advancements, while 80% anticipate saving over 30 minutes.

Importance of Interoperability

Interoperability and data integrity were flagged by 68% of providers as critical technological challenges. Almost one-third believe that having access to real-time patient data is crucial for clinical teams. About 47% of respondents indicated that timely access to data could potentially save over 10 minutes during patient appointments. Other expected benefits of improved data integration include:

• - More informed treatment choices at the point of care: 63% of providers support this claim.
• - Decrease in claim denials and resubmissions: 54% agree this is a notable advantage.
• - Shortened patient wait times for treatment approvals: Cited by 47% of participants.

Enhancements Through Digital Tools

Furthermore, 71% of respondents affirm that new digital tools provided by payers, such as mobile applications and messaging platforms, can significantly improve patient navigation and engagement. The responses indicate:

• - 68% agree that digital services help patients gain clarity regarding prior authorization statuses.
• - 72% believe these services aid in understanding claims statuses.

Looking ahead, the majority of providers (84%) anticipate that technological advancements over the next five years will yield better health outcomes overall, while 72% expect improvements in population health and patient experiences.

About the Aetna Provider Survey

Conducted in the second quarter of 2026 by Morning Consult, the national survey assessed a representative sample of 723 U.S. healthcare providers, including hospital executives, physicians, and health IT leaders. The survey's margin of error is ±4 percentage points.

In summary, the second Aetna Provider Survey illustrates a promising trend towards enhanced provider-payer relationships as trust increases and digital innovations are embraced in the healthcare landscape. CVS Health, the parent company behind Aetna, plays a pivotal role in simplifying healthcare delivery across various platforms, ultimately aiming for better health outcomes and more accessible care for individuals and families.