Aetna won't abandon any pregnant women.

In a story on Saturday's front page about the health insurer's contract dispute with the UNC Health Care System, a member who is 35 weeks' pregnant discussed her fears of having to change her doctor and hospital.

Jennifer Marks is scheduled to deliver her baby next month at Rex Healthcare, the Raleigh hospital owned by UNC Health. For Aetna members, Rex is "out of network" now that the insurer's contract has expired, following a fight about how much Aetna should pay UNC Health for medical care.

Marks had filled out several forms with Aetna to make sure she wouldn't face extra charges at the facility and was told she would have an answer within 7 to 10 days.

But Bruce Norman, an Aetna medical director based in North Carolina, called Marks personally today to assure her that her coverage won't change. "He apologized for the confusion," and mentioned seeing the N&O article, Marks said.

At least one major Triangle employer will allow workers to switch their health coverage if Aetna's contract with the UNC Health Care System is terminated next week.

GlaxoSmithKline, which employs about 5,000 people in this region, has told workers who are signed up for Aetna coverage that they can transfer to a similar health plan offered by UnitedHealthcare. Employees chose between Aetna and United for their coverage last fall, said GSK spokeswoman Mary Anne Rhyne.

"Health insurance is an important benefit for our employees," she said. "The company doesn't want them to have any disruption."

The move by GSK could increase pressure on Aetna to settle its contract dispute with UNC Health. The insurer doesn't want to lose members, and has been working to coordinate care with other local physicians and hospitals.

A contract dispute between Aetna and the UNC Health Care System is threatening to disrupt thousands of the health insurer’s members in the Triangle.

The fight, naturally, is over money.

UNC Health, which also owns Rex Healthcare in Raleigh, wants higher fees for its facilities and physicians to treat Aetna members. Aetna is trying to keep costs down for employers that buy coverage for their workers and other customers.

UNC Health estimates the dispute could affect about 10,000 patients across the Triangle. Many won’t experience any problems if the dispute is resolved soon, but it could cause major headaches for seriously ill patients who are undergoing frequent treatment, or people who have procedures scheduled next month.