Aetna Announces Medicare Advantage Benefit Enhancements in Pennsylvania for 2005; Zero-Premium Plans, Prescription Drug Coverage Options Available.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. -- Members of Aetna's Medicare Advantage plans in Pennsylvania will have a much wider range of premiums, benefits and pharmacy coverage options from which to choose in 2005. The company announced today that members of its Aetna Golden Medicare Plan(R) and Aetna Golden Choice(TM) Plan in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties will have expanded choices and reduced premiums, including zero-premium HMO options in each of the counties.

"Southeast Pennsylvania is a growing, important part of Aetna's business. We strongly believe these changes give Pennsylvania's Medicare beneficiaries access to a wider range of products and services to strengthen their Medicare plan coverage," said Eric Cormier, general manager, Mid-Atlantic Medicare, Aetna. "We're also committed to giving beneficiaries the information and assistance to help ensure that they select the coverage or product that best suits their needs. And, with the new benefits and options available, it becomes easier for beneficiaries to essentially build their own health plan," Cormier said.

Earlier this year, Aetna expanded its Philadelphia-area Medicare Advantage plan service area, offering the Aetna Golden Medicare Plan (HMO) in Bucks and Montgomery counties. The plan also is available to Medicare-eligible individuals and groups in Philadelphia, Chester and Delaware counties.

In addition, the Aetna Golden Choice Plan, a Medicare Advantage point-of-service (POS) plan, is offered to individuals and groups in Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill counties. The Aetna Golden Choice Plan for Chester and Delaware counties is pending approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Highlights of the 2005 Aetna Medicare Advantage plan offerings in Pennsylvania include:

--Three HMO plan design options in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, including two different zero-premium plans. The third option is a higher-option plan with a $35 monthly premium that features lower co-pays.

--Two Aetna Golden Choice Plan (POS) options in Bucks and Montgomery counties. One plan is offered for a $59 monthly premium, and the other, with more comprehensive benefits, has a $99 monthly premium. Similar plans for Chester and Delaware counties are pending approval from CMS.

--Coverage for preventive care at no-out-pocket cost to beneficiaries. Aetna's Medicare Advantage plans in Pennsylvania provide full coverage for routine physicals, hearing tests, eye exams and other preventive care services.

--Prescription drug coverage available for all plans. One zero-premium HMO plan includes generic prescription drug coverage. For other plans, for an extra monthly premium, beneficiaries can add coverage for generic prescription drugs. Some plan designs also offer coverage options for both generic and brand-name prescription drugs.

Aetna's Medicare Advantage plan options, benefits, service areas and expansions are all pending federal approval.

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 13.4 million medical members, 11.4 million dental members, 8.1 million pharmacy members and 12.6 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 633,000 health care professionals, including over 377,000 primary care and specialist doctors and 3,866 hospitals. For more information, please visit www.aetna.com. (Figures as of June 30, 2004.)