A.M. Best Places Ratings of Aetna Life and Affiliated HMOs Under Review.

Business Editors

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2001

A.M. Best Co. has placed the ratings of Aetna Life Insurance Company and the organization's affiliated HMOs under review with negative implications.

This follows Aetna Inc.'s recent announcement that first quarter earnings will be below original estimates. A.M. Best's rating review will focus on what steps the organization is taking to manage its medical costs and improve operating performance. A.M. Best notes that the company will be challenged to improve its operating performance and concurrently improve its relationship with its provider networks.

A.M. Best determined its current ratings on the Aetna insurance and HMO affiliates in anticipation that the organization's strategic initiatives would result in improved performance of its health business. A.M. Best's review will include a reassessment of these management initiatives.

Ratings placed under review include:

-- Aetna Life Insurance Company

-- Corporate Health Insurance Company

-- U.S. Health Insurance Co - Connecticut

-- U.S. Health Insurance Co. - New York

-- Aetna Life Insurance Company - Canada Branch

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of California

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Florida

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Illinois

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Louisiana

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Ohio

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Tennessee

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of the Carolinas

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Colorado

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Maine

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Michigan

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Oklahoma

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Maryland

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Washington

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Delaware

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Connecticut

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Massachusetts

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Georgia

-- Prudential Dental Maintenance Organization

-- NYLCare Health Plans of New Jersey

-- U.S. Healthcare of Missouri

-- U.S. Healthcare, Inc. (New York)

-- United States Health Care System of PA

-- Prudential Health Care Plan of California

-- Prudential Health Care Plan of New York

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of New Hampshire

-- Prudential Health Care Plan of Connecticut

-- Prudential Health Care Plan, Inc.

-- Prudential Health Care Plan of Georgia

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Texas

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of North Texas

-- Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Arizona

-- Aetna US Health Care of New Jersey

A.M. Best Co., established in 1899, is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit A.M. Best's Web site at www.ambest.com.