ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 13, 2005--Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today that it is offering new health care coverage options for Medicare beneficiaries in DeKalb County, Ga. Aetna has begun selling Medicare Advantage plans that provide both medical and prescription drug benefits, including a "zero plan-premium" offering.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Aetna's application to offer the Aetna Golden Medicare Plan(R) (HMO) in DeKalb County, broadening the Medicare Advantage plan options for beneficiaries.

The Aetna Golden Medicare Plan (HMO) options available in DeKalb County include:

• Three HMO plan designs, including a "zero plan-premium" offering;
• Routine preventive care services covered at 100 percent in all plans;
• Plans with unlimited coverage of generic prescription drugs, plus the option to purchase limited brand-name prescription drug coverage for an additional monthly premium;
• Value-added services that provide reduced rates on dental care, vision services and products, and alternative health care;
• Instant access to health information 24 hours a day through toll-free phone and on-line resources.

"Aetna is excited to once again be offering Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia," said Gary Thomas, head of Aetna's Medicare business in the Southeast. "Our Medicare plans offer choices that do not exist with traditional Medicare, including a zero plan-premium offering, and prescription drug coverage. Aetna is committed to giving DeKalb County's Medicare beneficiaries a wide range of attractive options."

Aetna also filed applications with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer the new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) to individuals and employers in all regions designated by CMS, except the territories. Plan bids were filed on June 6, 2005. CMS expects to award contracts in early September, and CMS-approved Part D drug plans will take effect Jan. 1, 2006. In addition, on June 6, 2005, Aetna filed a bid with CMS to participate in the regional Medicare PPO program that will be available in 2006. CMS also expects to award regional PPO contracts in September.

As one of the nation's leading providers of health care, dental, pharmacy, group life, disability and long-term care benefits, Aetna puts information and helpful resources to work for its approximately 14.4 million medical members, 12.8 million dental members, 9.0 million pharmacy members and 14.0 million group insurance members to help them make better informed decisions about their health care and protect their finances against health-related risks. Aetna provides easy access to cost-effective health care through a nationwide network of more than 672,000 health care professionals, including approximately 400,000 primary care and specialist doctors and 4,084 hospitals. For more information, please visit www.aetna.com. (Figures as of March 31, 2005)

CONTACT: Investor Contact:
David Entrekin, 860-273-7830
EntrekinD@aetna.com
or
Media Contact:
Walt Cherniak, 410-691-1405
cherniakjrw@aetna.com

SOURCE: Aetna