Aetna Launches Medicare Answer Center at WebMD.com.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Aetna (NYSE:AET) announced today that it has launched the "Aetna Answer Center" on WebMD Health (www.webmd.com) as part of a broad campaign to educate Medicare beneficiaries about their new options for Medicare prescription drug coverage this fall. This online resource provides easily understandable information about the new Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and the Aetna Medicare Rx Plan(SM) options, including common questions and answers, plan selection tips and savings examples. Aetna is the sole Part D carrier sponsor for WebMD Health's "Medicare Rx Benefits" channel.

"We're pleased to expand our efforts to educate the public about Medicare prescription drug coverage by aligning with WebMD Health, a website that is already a trusted resource for millions of consumers," said Frank McCauley, head of Aetna Retiree Markets. "Now that Medicare beneficiaries can select their coverage for 2006, it's increasingly important for them to have access to credible information about Medicare benefits that is easy to access and understand."

The "Aetna Answer Center" can be accessed by choosing the Medicare Rx Benefits channel at WebMD Health. The Center includes:

--The top ten things beneficiaries should know about Medicare prescription drug coverage.

--A simplified approach to choosing a Medicare prescription drug plan, including specific examples of how the benefits may complement or replace current coverage.

--Details about the Aetna Medicare Rx Plans, including savings examples, information about the preferred drug list (also known as a formulary), and contact information for an Aetna Medicare plan specialist.

"Today the Internet is the most effective channel for reaching and educating Americans about important health issues," said Wayne Gattinella, President and CEO, WebMD. "Through our online Medicare Rx Benefits channel at WebMD Health, we are pleased to provide beneficiaries and their caregivers with timely and easy to understand information to help them make more informed decisions about enrolling in Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits."

The "Aetna Answer Center" on WebMD Health is just one part of the "Aetna Answer" Medicare education and marketing campaign. In addition to an online presence, the campaign includes print, television and direct-mail advertising. Aetna also has engaged in a number of new alliances that will help the company reach beneficiaries in their local communities. These relationships include:

--CVS Corporation and Rite Aid Corporation, to provide materials in more than 8,500 retail pharmacies and sales representatives in select locations.

--Standard Plus, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Standard Life and Accident Insurance Company, to market co-branded Medicare Part D products through Standard Plus' 14,000 independent insurance agents located in 46 states.

--Senior Centers across the country, to provide materials and signage in 2400 centers nationwide, and educational workshops in 160 centers nationwide.

--H-E-B, to market co-branded Medicare Part D products at nearly 200 H-E-B stores in select Texas markets.

--Pathmark Stores Inc., to provide community education as part of a "Medicare Awareness Day" at 129 Pathmark Stores in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware.

--Financial Planning Association, to sponsor educational seminars on the Medicare program for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) professionals, many of whom are counseling retirees about the new benefits.

Aetna offers three Medicare Part D prescription drug plans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Aetna Medicare Rx Essentials(SM) plan is equivalent to standard Part D coverage, and the Aetna Medicare Rx Plus(SM) and Aetna Medicare Rx Premier(SM) plans are enhanced options. Individual plan premiums for the Aetna Medicare Part D plans range from $27.50 per month to $66.75 per month. Aetna also will be offering Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans in 13 states and the District of Columbia; and regional Medicare PPO plans in three states and the District of Columbia. In addition, $0 plan premium options will be available that combine a Medicare Advantage plan with Medicare Part D coverage.

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 14.65 million medical members, 13.03 million dental members, 9.34 million pharmacy members and 13.67 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 700,000 health care professionals, including over 418,000 primary care and specialist doctors and 4,231 hospitals. For more information, please visit www.aetna.com. (Figures as of September 30, 2005)