Aetna Introduces Aetna HealthFund(R) HMO in California.-- Industry-Leading Innovation Combines Robust Benefits of a Traditional HMO HMO health maintenance organization. HMO n. A corporation that is financed by insurance premiums and has member physicians and professional staff who provide curative and preventive medicine within certain financial, with Cost-Incentive Features of a Consumer-Directed Health Plan -- WALNUT CREEK Walnut Creek, residential city (1990 pop. 60,569), Contra Costa co., W Calif., in the San Francisco Bay area; inc. 1914. It is the trade and shipping center of an extensive agricultural area where walnuts are among the major product. , Calif. -- Aetna (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : AET AET Aetna, Inc. AET After Extra Time AET Actual Evapotranspiration AET Alliance for Environmental Technology AET Alpha-Ethyltryptamine AET Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc. ) announced today that it has introduced an innovative new health plan in California. The Aetna HealthFund HMO, one of the first of its kind, keeps the most popular features of typical HMO plans Co such as copayments for office visits Co while adding consumerism features that help employees increase their understanding and control of health care spending. The unique plan design provides employers with a more affordable, comprehensive HMO option. The Aetna HealthFund HMO plan offers significant premium savings when compared to a standard HMO plan. "As medical costs continue to rise, Californians are looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. new solutions. Aetna developed the Aetna HealthFund HMO in response to the unique needs of employers, physicians and consumers in California," said Beth Andersen, general manager in Aetna's West region. "Aetna's long experience with consumer-directed health plans has enabled us to begin the evolutionary process of incorporating consumer-directed components into the HMO model that is still prevalent in California today." The Aetna HealthFund HMO includes two parts that work together Co an HMO plan and a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA HRA Health Reimbursement Arrangement HRA Health Risk Assessment HRA Housing and Redevelopment Authority HRA Human Resources Administration HRA Health Reimbursement Account HRA Housing Revenue Account ). Preventive care Preventive care is a set of measures taken in advance of symptoms to prevent illness or injury. This type of care is best exemplified by routine physical examinations and immunizations. The emphasis is on preventing illnesses before they occur. See also
1. the placing of a patient in a hospital for treatment. 2. the term of confinement in a hospital. . The Aetna HealthFund HMO deductibles range from $500 to $1,500 for individuals and $1,000 to $3,000 for families. The HRA established by employers helps members pay expenses that are subject to the HMO deductible. Health fund ranges are $250 - $1,000 for single individuals and $500 - $2,000 for families. Any unused dollars in the fund can be carried over to provide additional plan coverage the following year as long as the employee remains in the plan. The plan also features annual out-of-pocket maximums, which help protect members from financial exposure due to a catastrophic health event. "The affordability and comprehensive benefits of the Aetna HealthFund HMO make it an attractive option for consumers, which may mean more consumers sticking with the HMO model they have become so familiar with in California," Andersen said. As a further benefit, wellness and preventive care programs are included. Members will have access to Aetna Navigator[TM], a powerful and comprehensive online resource that enables them to manage their health and track health expenditures on a personalized, secure website, as well as obtain information about health issues. Tools available through Aetna Navigator include DocFind, Aetna's online provider directory, and tools that enable members to estimate the cost of care and prescription drugs, and compare hospitals in their area. "It is crucial for members to have the tools and information necessary to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families," Andersen said. "Aetna offers one of the richest sets of informational tools in the industry, which will support and empower members to take better control of their health and become engaged health care consumers, which may help mitigate rising health care costs." The new Aetna HealthFund HMO product is currently being sold to employers with a minimum of 50 employees, for an effective date of January 1, 2007. About Aetna Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 29.9 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health Behavioral health was first used in the 1980's to name the combination of the fields mental health and substance abuse. As an example, an organization serving both mental health and substance abuse clients might refer to its practice as behavioral health or , group life, long-term care long-term care (LTC), n the provision of medical, social, and personal care services on a recurring or continuing basis to persons with chronic physical or mental disorders. and disability plans, and medical management capabilities. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans. www.aetna.com |
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