OhioHealth, Aetna U.S. HealthCare extend deadline for new accord.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Aetna U.S. HealthCare and the OhioHealth hospital system have extended their contract 30 days in hopes of completing new deal on rates and other terms in a few weeks.

The contract between the national insurer and Columbus' largest health-care provider was set to expire Aug. 31, but 30-day notice requirements to policyholders had made Aug. 1 the de facto deadline for a new agreement.

"We're still in final negotiations with OhioHealth," said Aetna spokeswoman Wendy Morphew. "We're optimistic we'll reach agreement," she added. "We do want them to remain in our network."

Aetna provides health insurance coverage for nearly 300,000 people in Greater …