Aetna Extends Innovative Dental Discount Program To Individuals
Vital Savings by AetnaSM Now Available to Over 135 Million Americans Without Dental Coverage1
Individuals Can Enroll Online Through a Dedicated Website
HARTFORD, Conn., July 1, 2004 — Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) today announced it will extend its innovative Vital Savings by Aetna program to individuals, a move that will open its industry-leading discount dental network to the more than 135 million U.S. citizens who do not have dental insurance. Vital Savings by Aetna offers access to nearly 53,000 available dental practice locations2 through the Aetna Dental AccessSM network and average discounts of 28 percent3 on dental procedures.
"Vital Savings by Aetna is one way the company is trying to serve the uninsured," said Pat Farrell, head of Aetna Dental. "This program is a win-win for consumers and dentists; consumers receive discounts on dental services and dentists have the opportunity to see more patients without administrative work for office staff."
Individuals participating in Vital Savings by Aetna pay a low monthly or annual fee and can choose among 53,000 available participating dental practice locations nationwide, which they then pay directly for dental service at discounted rates. Other than enrolling, there are no forms or claims to be filed by the consumer or the dentist. While Vital Savings by Aetna is not insurance, it does offer discounts on dental procedures, and can be used to gain access to discounted vision care services through Vision One®4.
Beginning in October 2003, Vital Savings by Aetna was available to groups with 300 or more employees and retirees. Now, the discount program will reach groups with 51 or more employees, additional consumers in the retiree population, those who may not have dental coverage through their employer, or individuals who opted out of dental insurance for personal or financial reasons.
To learn more about Vital Savings by Aetna, visit the online enrollment website at www.vitalsavings.com.
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 13.3 million medical members, 11.2 million dental members, 8.1 million pharmacy members and 12.4 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 618,000 health care professionals, including over 370,000 primary care and specialist doctors and 3,783 hospitals. For more information, please visit www.aetna.com. (Figures as of March 31, 2004)
1According to the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), 2003 NADP/DDPA (Delta Dental Plans Association) Joint Enrollment Report, September 8, 2003.
2According to the Aetna Enterprise Provider Database as of May 1, 2004
3Anticipated national average dental charges for the 2004 calendar year based on the comparison of provider-negotiated fees to national average charges. Actual discounts will vary based on locations and services provided.
4Vision One is a registered trademark of Cole Managed Vision.
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