Aetna Introduces New Medicare Advantage Plans In Florida

Business Editors/Healthcare Writers

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--December 11, 2008--Medicare beneficiaries in Florida now have new options from Aetna (NYSE: AET) for health care coverage that provides them with additional choices, flexibility and value. Aetna has introduced individual Medicare Advantage plan options, including the Aetna Golden Medicare Plan® (HMO) and the Aetna Golden Choice SM Plan (PPO). These plans are now available in seven new counties: Brevard, Charlotte, Lee, Manatee, Polk, Sarasota and Seminole.

“Aetna is extremely pleased to make our Medicare Advantage plans available to Medicare beneficiaries in Florida,” said Eric Cormier, Southeast region general manager for Aetna’s Consumer Segment. “The addition of the Medicare Advantage plans in Florida provides access to high quality, affordable health care for Medicare beneficiaries. The medical plans include 100 percent coverage for preventive care services and typically include prescription drug benefits for lower premiums than standalone Medicare prescription drug plans.”

The Aetna Golden Medicare Plan (HMO) and Aetna Golden Choice (PPO) Plan in Florida feature a wide range of benefits, including:

Coverage for doctors visits, hospitalization and prescription medications through one plan with the convenience of a single ID card.
Coverage for all Part D prescription drugs, including those for common conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, allergies, cholesterol and arthritis.
Discounts on vision and hearing aid products and services, and special rates on alternative health care services.

Aetna also offers Florida employers group Medicare plan options for their former employees. Employers who offer group Medicare plans to their former employees specifically choose what benefits are available to their retirees.

Aetna Medicare members who purchase their plan individually will also have access to Aetna’s interactive CareEngine-powered Personal Health Record (PHR). Many group Medicare members will also be able to use this unique tool, which can help better engage Medicare members in managing their own health, make it easier for members to share health information with their physicians and may even alert members and doctors about possible urgent situations.

Standalone Prescription Drug Plans

In addition, Aetna will continue to offer three Individual Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (available nationwide). Two of these are enhanced plans that offer coverage better than the standard Medicare prescription drug plan, while one offers benefits that are equivalent to the standard Part D plan.

One of the enhanced plans available to Medicare beneficiaries in Florida is the Aetna Medicare Rx – Costco Plus Plan. Consumers who sign up for this plan and have their prescriptions filled at Costco can save money with a preferred benefit level for generic prescription drugs. They can also have their prescriptions filled at any of Aetna’s extensive network of pharmacies.

The plan premiums for the Aetna-Costco co-branded product range from $50-$70 a month, depending upon the region. In addition, there is no deductible.

Group Pharmacy benefits for members enrolling through their former employer will be determined by their employer.

Additional Information

More information about Aetna’s 2008 Medicare plans is availableat www.aetnamedicare.com. This recently redesigned site helps individuals find and compare Aetna plans available in their geographic area. Each comparison is customized and unique, with users selecting the aspects of the plan that are most important to them, such as prescription drug coverage or their primary care physician’s participation in Aetna’s network. Individuals can also estimate the cost for each plan before actually applying and even enroll online, a process that can be completed in about 10 minutes.

The site also provides additional information, such as a tool that allows individuals to find scheduled Aetna Medicare informational meetings in their area; important documents such as enrollment and claim forms, as well as the Summary of Benefits for plans; and a phone number (1-800-529-5586) for additional information. Through the site, consumers can also submit a request for an Aetna Medicare specialist to schedule a call for a time that is most convenient for them.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units and government-sponsored plans in the U.S. and internationally.www.aetna.com