MARIETTA - WellStar Health System has reached a new contract with Philadelphia-based insurance conglomerate CIGNA, WellStar leaders announced late Friday.

WellStar spokeswoman Samantha McInturff confirmed the deal but did not disclose details. The current contract was to expire Jan. 15.

"It is WellStar's intent to reach an agreement enabling appropriate payment to support the growing health care needs of its community," she said before the announcement. "As a not-for-profit health system, WellStar is committed to providing technology and services required by its patients."

Dr. Greg Simone, WellStar's president and CEO, said the hospital and the insurer had been negotiating for months over costs, payments and how information is sorted.

CIGNA spokeswoman Kathleen Keenan said early Friday that the insurance company was optimistic about a deal.

"We anticipate that an agreement will be finalized within the next few days," she said.

Had the two parties not been able to agree, patients insured by CIGNA would have either had to find a new doctor or hospital; pay out-of-network costs to use WellStar; or changed to another insurance company. Neither CIGNA nor WellStar would say how many patients would be affected.

Last month, CIGNA sent letters to its members about the contract expiration.

"If you receive care on or after January 15 from a WellStar Heath System hospital you will be responsible for the total cost of the services you receive, or you many use your out-of-network benefits," it stated.

WellStar operates Kennestone, Cobb and Windy Hill hospitals in Cobb County, and Douglas and Paulding hospitals. Its WellStar Physicians Group has 324 providers.

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