Aetna Introduces Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2004

New Aetna Rx Savings Card(SM) Features Open Drug List,

Provides Access to Vitamin Discounts and Health Information

Aetna (NYSE:AET) today introduced the Aetna Rx Savings Card(SM), a Medicare-approved drug discount card projected to save Medicare beneficiaries who enroll an average of 10-30% on their prescription drug costs. The company's new nationwide card will be rolled out at two drug discount card educational seminars today, one sponsored by Senate Majority Leader William Frist in Nashville, Tennessee, and the other by U.S. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert in suburban Chicago.

"The new Medicare-approved drug discount card will make prescription drugs more affordable to millions of Medicare beneficiaries," said Frank G. McCauley, head of Aetna's Medicare business segment. "The card is an important step in expanding access to quality health care for Medicare beneficiaries, and it will help to bridge enrollees to the broader prescription drug coverage that will take effect in 2006 under the federal Medicare program," he added.

The Aetna Rx Savings Card costs $30 per year and will result in discounts on prescription drug prices when enrollees present the card at designated pharmacies. The discount card program is effective June 1, 2004 through December 31, 2005.

Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., the Aetna Rx Savings Card includes added services for its enrollees, which include:

-- An open drug list - meaning all drugs allowed by the Centers

for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are discounted.

-- Money-saving discounts on over-the-counter vitamins and

nutritional supplements, available by mail order through

Vitamin Advantage(TM).

-- Access to Aetna InteliHealth(R), Aetna's online consumer

health information resource.

According to McCauley, these features are what set the Aetna Rx Savings Card apart from other discount cards. By accessing Aetna InteliHealth, for example, Medicare beneficiaries who enroll will be able to utilize an "Ask the Pharmacist" feature 24 hours a day. The site offers health information that consumers -- in consultation with their health care professionals -- may use to take an active role in health care decisions.

Enrollment in the Aetna Rx Savings Card is open to Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare Parts A and B. Certain eligibility restrictions apply. For those qualifying beneficiaries who earn below a certain income level, the drug discount card allows for up to a $600 credit annually toward the cost of prescriptions. The $30 annual enrollment fee may be waived for individuals who qualify for this credit.

Card Applications Now Available

Aetna's approval from CMS allows the company to offer its discount card to Medicare beneficiaries across the country. The company begins making enrollment applications for the Aetna Rx Savings Card available today and will be promoting the card through a variety of direct-to-consumer efforts, including print advertising, direct mail and participation in educational seminars for beneficiaries.

A special toll-free phone number has been set up for beneficiaries to call - 1-866-895-1649 - to speak with a representative about the new card. Eligible beneficiaries may also enroll online by accessing the Medicare/Retiree Products home page when visiting www.aetna.com.

According to Susan E. Rawlings, Aetna's head of retiree markets strategy, beneficiaries should understand that purchasing the card is an individual decision. She suggests the following tips for retirees when considering whether to apply for the card:

1. Analyze your current prescription drug usage and the amount of

money you spend per year.

2. Consider other services available through the discount card,

such as Vitamin Advantage, which is available through the

Aetna Rx Savings Card.

3. Consider the above benefits relative to the annual premium,

which is $30 per year for the Aetna card (and may be waived

for beneficiaries who qualify for the $600 credit).

Customer Service Critical to Aetna's Approach

The company's phone representatives and marketing materials will provide clear information to help Medicare beneficiaries make the most appropriate decision for them as it relates to their prescription drug usage. According to Rawlings, Aetna understands how beneficiaries want to receive information about the new card.

"We know that retirees have a solid understanding of how much they pay on an annual basis for their prescription drugs. We also understand that they want to be able to speak live with a person who can answer their questions about how the card works and what it will mean for them," said Rawlings.

Aetna's service representatives will be able to tell callers how much their prescriptions will cost at their local pharmacies should they enroll in the card, and what pharmacies are included in Aetna's extensive network.

Aetna is one of the nation's leading providers of health care, dental, pharmacy, group life, disability and long-term care benefits, serving approximately 13.3 million medical members, 11.2 million dental members, 8.1 million pharmacy members and 12.4 million group insurance customers, as of March 31, 2004. The company has extensive nationwide networks of more than 618,000 health care services providers, including over 370,000 primary care and specialist physicians and 3,783 hospitals. For more information about Aetna, please visit the company's web site at www.aetna.com.