NEW YORK_Aetna Inc. said Friday it renewed and expanded a contract to provide Medicaid benefits for members of Missouri Care, a plan covering residents in central, eastern and western Missouri.

Missouri's HealthNet Division renewed the contract with Missouri Care. The business has provided coverage for programs including MO HealthNet for Kids, MO HealthNet for Pregnant Woman, and MO HealthNet for Families. Aetna said Missouri Care has offered coverage in 28 counties in mid-Missouri, and after the contract begins it will expand into 13 counties in the eastern part of the state, including St. Louis, and 13 in the western part of Missouri, including Kansas City.

The Hartford, Conn., health insurer said its current network has more than 3,600 providers and 27 hospitals, and under the new contract it will add about 2,620 providers, 23 hospitals and 53 clinics, including federally qualified rural health centers.

Aetna said its programs service about 1.3 million Medicaid members in 12 states. In afternoon trading, its shares gained 46 cents to $25.68.