Aetna Lifts Policy Requirements to Help Members in Hurricane Katrina's Wake; Changes to Network Services, Drug Refills; Toll-Free Number Activated.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Aetna (NYSE: AET) has temporarily lifted some medical and pharmacy policy requirements through at least September 30, for members affected by Hurricane Katrina, including relief workers traveling to the catastrophe areas, to help ensure access to health care and medications.

Aetna representatives are also standing by at special toll-free number to assist members affected by the disaster who need help finding care or who have lost their ID cards at 1-800-443-AETNA (1-800-443-2386).

"We are saddened by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and extend our thoughts and sympathies to those affected," said Aetna Chairman and CEO Jack Rowe, M.D. "Our focus is on helping our members get the care they need, recognizing that many are cut off from their usual physicians, hospitals and pharmacies.

"Employers and individuals in the areas impacted by the hurricane can also rest assured that Aetna is continuing their coverage even if they are unable to make premium payments during this trying time."

Among the policies being temporarily modified, Aetna members from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle (counties of Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington) may:

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

--Refill prescriptions even if they are not due to be filled for 30 days and, for those who use Aetna's mail-order pharmacy, receive replacement for any lost or damaged prescriptions; and

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

These measures are intended to remove barriers to accessing needed health care and to ease administrative burden for our members during this crisis.

For physicians and hospitals treating victims of Hurricane Katrina, Aetna is temporarily extending claims- and appeals-filing deadlines outlined in contracts.

Aetna is also working to find other tangible ways of supporting relief efforts. For example, Aetna employees across the country are rallying to support relief efforts and the company is matching dollar-for-dollar employee donations to the American Red Cross and other organizations providing Hurricane Katrina relief. 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)