Aetna Expands Policy Changes to Include Members and Medical Community Affected by Hurricane Rita; Changes to Network Services, Drug Refills; Counseling Available.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- To help ensure access to health care, Aetna (NYSE: AET) today announced it has temporarily modified medical, pharmacy, dental, long-term care, disability and life policies for members affected by Hurricane Rita. The changes, which were earlier implemented for members affected by Hurricane Katrina, will be extended through at least October 31 for victims of both hurricanes.

Aetna representatives continue to stand by at a special toll-free number to assist members who need help finding care, accessing their medical histories, or reporting lost ID cards at 1-800-443-AETNA (1-800-443-2386). The company is also making telephonic counseling available at no cost, around the clock at toll-free 1-888-238-6232 to assist all Aetna members affected by these tragic events with work and personal issues, and to offer referrals to more extensive behavioral health care if needed.

"This new hurricane presents enormous additional challenges and hardships for everyone affected, and Aetna will do what we can to help our members get care and comfort," said Aetna Chairman and CEO John W. Rowe, M.D. "With so many people cut off from their usual physicians, hospitals and pharmacies, we are expanding our efforts to help members, in addition to continuing coverage even if they are unable to make premium payments."

Because so many medical records have been lost, Aetna is making medical, dental and pharmacy claim histories available upon request by members affected by the hurricanes or their doctors, while at the same time taking steps to protect member privacy. The company is also participating in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services electronic pharmacy records program.

Among the policies being temporarily modified, affected Aetna members from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, including relief workers traveling to the catastrophe areas, may:

--Receive in-network benefits for care out of their network in any state, and seek care from health care professionals other than their designated primary care physicians or primary care dentists;

--Refill prescriptions even if they are not due to be filled and, for those who use Aetna's mail-order pharmacy, receive replacement for any lost or damaged prescriptions for no additional cost; and

--Receive treatment covered under their plan without medical pre-certification, referrals, or notification of hospital admissions.

For physicians and hospitals treating victims of the hurricanes, Aetna is temporarily extending claims- and appeals-filing deadlines outlined in contracts and Aetna's policies.

For life, disability and long-term care members and plan sponsors from the affected areas, Aetna is extending deadlines, including those for filing claims, and modifying procedures such as those for collecting evidence of insurability.

Health care professionals and members can obtain periodic updates on policy modifications at Aetna's Web site www.aetna.com.

Aetna employees coast-to-coast continue to support relief efforts through volunteer efforts, and by raising money and goods. The company is matching dollar-for-dollar employee donations for both hurricanes to the American Red Cross and other organizations providing relief. More than $700,000 has already been contributed by Aetna employees, with company match, for Hurricane Katrina victims. Additionally, as a member of the Eastern Regional Helicopter Association, the company is among the operators willing to make its services available for disaster relief when called upon by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

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 14.435 million medical members, 12.976 million dental members, 9.117 million pharmacy members and 13.662 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 684,000 health care professionals, including over 405,000 primary care and specialist doctors and 4,135 hospitals. For more information, please visit www.aetna.com. (Figures as of June 30, 2005)