Aetna Dental Expands Distribution of Voluntary Products.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- -- Expansion Includes Additional Product Options That Offer Flexible Underwriting Guidelines and Make Plans More Attractive to Consumers --

Aetna (NYSE:AET) today announced it will offer a broad portfolio of voluntary dental plans to employers with more than 50 employees. These voluntary plans are defined as benefits where employees pay at least 50 percent of the total premium. Aetna is offering these options to help employers balance the need to offer competitive benefits while managing the total cost of their employee health care coverage.

"Research indicates that dental plans have the highest participation rates among voluntary products," said Pat Farrell, head of Aetna Dental. "By expanding the product options offered, we hope to increase the number of people who have access to dental benefits while creating plan options that are attractive to both employers and consumers."

Aetna Dental offers a variety of plan designs on a voluntary basis. The new options offer competitive participation requirements, flexible underwriting guidelines, and other features that make the plans attractive to plan sponsors and consumers. The plans available include the Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO(R)), dental preferred provider organization and indemnity plans. The new products offer a variety of online tools and information to help members manage their health care and make informed decisions.

Effective May 1, Aetna Dental voluntary plans will offer flexible underwriting options and plan features including waiving the deductible for preventive care, installing a waiting period for major services such as a root canal or crown and orthodontia, and the option to shift endodontics and periodontics from basic services to major services.

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 13.7 million medical members, 11.9 million dental members, 8.4 million pharmacy members and 13.5 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 655,000 health care professionals, including over 390,000 primary care and specialist doctors and 3,937 hospitals. For more information, please visit www.aetna.com. (Figures as of December 31, 2004)