Supplier diversity FAQs

How do I do business with Aetna?
In order to become a supplier to Aetna, you must submit an online registration form. This is a free process that asks for some general vendor information (that is, product/service supplying, contact information, tax ID information, etc). If your company is a small business, minority-, women-, or GLBT- certified supplier, you may qualify for Aetna’s Supplier Diversity Program.

How do I become a part of the Supplier Diversity Program?

Follow these three steps:

1.  Check your company’s qualifications. Do you qualify, but need third-party certification? Why do I need certification?

To give Aetna’s Supplier Diversity Program credibility, it is important to request minority-, women-, or GLBT-owned supplier certification. Companies can be certified through the following Aetna-approved organizations:
National Minority Supplier Development Council 
Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council 
National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 
Small Business Administration 

Aetna will also evaluate certification from other third parties.

2.  Refer to Aetna's Product and Service List to see if Aetna can use your product. 

3.  Finally, fill out the online registration form for more details.

How do I submit copies of my certification?
Electronic copies of your third-party certification can be attached to the registration form, through the Frictionless Program.

Does registering with the Supplier Diversity Program ensure that Aetna will do business with me?
No, the Supplier Diversity Program helps companies to be considered for business with Aetna. We cannot guarantee supplier registration will ensure business.

What are the benefits of joining Aetna’s Supplier Diversity Program?
Suppliers have multiple benefits of joining Aetna’s Supplier Diversity Program, including:

• An opportunity to diversify the marketplace
• Opportunities to strategically plan and offer competitively priced products and services
• Chance to become a core part of the improved quality offered to customers
• Capacity to achieve profitable growth and become an industry leader

I’m not an MBE, WBE, SBE, or GLBT certified supplier. Can I still be a part of Aetna’s Supplier Diversity Program?
Yes. Aetna’s Second Tier/Subcontracting Program provides opportunities for all of our suppliers. We ask that diverse suppliers who are over an established threshold outline MBE, WBE, SBE, GLBT spending goals and specific plans to achieve these targets. The Subcontracting Program involves direct second-tier and indirect second-tier purchases with diverse suppliers. Please see our page on the Second Tier/Subcontracting Program for more information.

How to I access my supplier profile if I have lost or forgotten my log in information?
Contact Aetna’s Customer Care Team at 1-888-238-6227, options 1, 3, 2. Or, within Connecticut, at 860-273-2271, options 1, 3, 2. 

Do you have a Supplier Diversity brochure?
Supplier Diversity Brochure  (2 pages)

Do you have a Supplier Diversity policy?
Yes. Aetna Procurement gives employees responsible for purchasing decisions the resources to find small business, MBE-, WBE-, SBE- and GLBT-certified suppliers. They can then add them to the list of qualified suppliers by registering them through Aetna’s external supplier diversity website and by ensuring they are certified through an approved certification organization. All locations will participate in related programs and provide the maximum practical opportunity for MBE, WBE, SBE, and GLBT suppliers to participate as Aetna suppliers. Aetna personnel will participate in these programs and understand their goals, objectives and reporting requirements as directed.