Aetna Health Plans of Arizona debuts a Home Page on the Internet World Wide Web; AHP of Arizona first carrier in the West communicating latest benefits, programs, network physicians and other general information on-line.

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 1995--Aetna Health Plans of Arizona debuted the "AHP of AZ Home Page" Wednesday on the World Wide Web, becoming the first health plan carrier in the state, and among the first in the nation, to make up-to-the-minute information about its plans and providers available to anyone with a computer and access to the Internet.

To access the information, subscribers to on-line services with Internet connection can log into Aetna's information at www.aetnaaz.com.

"It's exciting to be the first health carrier in Arizona utilizing the `Net' to reach our customers and the general public on-line," said Dr. Richard Eidinger, chief executive officer and president of AHP of Arizona. Eidinger said this is also the first Aetna region to initiate an interactive Home Page to communicate within a specific market.

"By utilizing this growing public communication system, AHP of Arizona has launched itself into the interactive and `paperless' computer environment, allowing plan members, health benefits managers, prospective customers and health care providers to learn about Aetna's most current programs and updates to its provider network," Eidinger said.

"As Aetna's pathfinder in interactive communication, we look forward to getting feedback from the users about our information format and suggestions on other information we can provide to them on-line."

Eidinger said the interactive computer correspondence would be an enhancement, not a substitution, to personal communications with Aetna representatives and the public.

"Some people will just want to review specific aspects of a program and can get that information quickly from Aetna's Home Page, but there will always be a real person available to answer their questions," Eidinger assured. "The on-line program is just another option available to access information. People with Web access now have a choice in how they wish to communicate with us."

"Our computer-accessible plan members and plan sponsors can get answers to many basic questions about plans and providers 24-hours-a-day," Eidinger said. "We will continue to distribute printed directories, manuals and brochures, of course, but the information in AHP of AZ Home Page on the Web can reflect the most current benefits or physician listings because it can be updated frequently, unlike printed materials."

"For example," Eidinger added, "in the last six months alone we have added 200 physicians, two hospitals and 200 additional pharmacies to our provider network in the Valley. Now members can log on to AHP of AZ Home Page, browse our provider listings, highlight their geographic location, and find a current selection of the closest providers or outlets in seconds, instead of waiting to receive revised printed materials."

The decision to develop the AHP of AZ Home Page was initiated by Dr. Eidinger when he became President of AHP of Arizona in May. "Healthcare is not a static business. Communicating via computer can reach so many more people quicker than mail or other traditional methods. It is not only the most immediate means to inform, it is also the most cost effective means to inform," Eidinger explained.

Eidinger brings a strong business background to his position as well as experience as a practicing physician. In addition to receiving an M.D. from the University of Saskatchewan and training at the UCLA School of Medicine as a fellow in gastroenterology, Eidinger also holds an MBA with a concentration in Marketing and Finance from the Anderson Graduate School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles.

Prior to his appointment as president of AHP of Arizona, he was a physician and an administrator in the managed care market in California for eight years, most recently as the California Medical Director for Aetna Professional Management Corp.

Company benefits managers will also find the timeliness of the AHP of AZ Home Page information helpful when they have questions about Aetna's health plan provisions, according to Brad Wheeler, AHP's Marketing Manager.

"Whether the benefits managers are current Aetna customers or just comparing plan features, they can access information about our programs in a matter of minutes on the Web," Wheeler said. "They also can inquire about specific issues or programs by sending their questions through e-mail and we can respond to most inquiries before the end of the day."

"The AHP of AZ Home Page also has an interactive planning guide that is a tool for employers reviewing their health benefit needs," Wheeler said. "By responding to the questions in the guide, employers can define the type of program they want and our representatives can make recommendations for specific plans tailored to meet the company's employee needs and budget considerations -- all through on-line communication."

Wheeler and Chris Loubier, AHP of Arizona's Manager of Information Systems, designed the format, selected the type of information to be included and ensured proper systems support for the Home Page. They worked with a Tempe-based company called Improved Business Technologies to help create and maintain the on-line pages.

"Our goal was to create something that gives consumers and employers on-line access to the information they need to make good decisions about health benefits," Wheeler said.

The information about Aetna Health Plans of Arizona available on the Web is comprised of text and high quality photos and graphics downloaded to the receiving computer and displayed on the monitor. The selected information and graphics appear on the screen within seconds or minutes, depending on the computer's hardware and the modem speed. Currently, the information available on the AHP of AZ Home Page is equivalent to approximately 120 pages in traditional printed communications material.

In addition to on-line consumer information on the Web, another example of Aetna's cutting-edge use of computer technology is the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). EDI is an electronic communications program which streamlines claims processing for physicians in Aetna's network of health care providers.

The EDI program became available in May, about the time Dr. Eidinger arrived in Arizona. Eidinger has made higher utilization of the program among Aetna's private practice physicians a top priority.

"We have 1,900 private practice physicians in our network. That's like 1,900 small business owners. If we can help them speed up the claims processing by utilizing an electronic filing system, it will benefit their cash flow and save on paperwork," Eidinger explained. "EDI is just one program we have developed to assist our network physicians."

Employers processing members' benefits also have the ability to electronically file claims and/or receive payment for services.

Eidinger looks forward to implementing other new programs and partnerships with plan members, employers and physicians to increase communication about health care management including self-care, health awareness and wellness programs.

"We want to empower our members and plan sponsors with preventive and self-care programs to maintain their good health. The information available on our Home Page is just one tool to keep people informed and help them know how, when or where to seek treatment or other services," Eidinger stressed.

With over six million members in managed care programs nationwide, Aetna Health Plans is one of the country's leading managed health care companies. AHP began aggressively marketing managed care coverage in the Phoenix area in 1992. Since then, over 60,000 Valley residents have become members in Aetna managed care programs. Aetna's network of providers includes more than 1,900 private practice physicians and 16 hospitals throughout the Valley.

Aetna also provides traditional fee-for-service plans as well as specialty health and group insurance products. In total, AHP products and services touch more than 18 million Americans. Including indemnity and PPO enrollees, Aetna provides health care coverage for nearly 200,000 Arizona residents and processes all Medicare Part B claims for 450,000 Arizonans.

CONTACT: Nelson, Robb, DuVal & DeMenna

Michele Irwin, 602/264-2930

or

AHP Home Page www.aetnaaz.com

Chris Loubier, 602/395-8887