The CEI rated 583 businesses in total, evaluating LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination policies, transgender health benefits and domestic partner benefits. Aetna's efforts in ensuring LGBT equality in each of the survey's main criterion earned it the prestigious 100 percent ranking.
"Aetna is committed to diversity in all aspects of our business," said Mark Bertolini, president of Aetna. "Whether it is providing products and services to meet the specific health care needs of the LGBT community, fostering relationships with women and minority business owners and suppliers, or attracting a diverse employee population, we have successfully incorporated an inclusive mindset into everything we do. Through recruitment, education and development, we continue to strengthen Aetna's workplace diversity to mirror the customers we serve," Bertolini added.
Aetna has supported the LGBT community both as an ally and as an employer. As a strong ally, Aetna created an assessment of important aspects of health care plans, such as disease and medical management, wellness and behavioral health, to ensure its plans are meeting the needs of the LGBT community. Aetna is also packaging health care plans and products specifically for the LGBT community. It has also established a linkage between the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) Provider Directory and Aetna's DocFind which allows Aetna members access to GLMA's LGBT-friendly and knowledgeable providers, an industry leading effort.
As an employer, Aetna has internal LGBT-friendly workplace policies including domestic partner benefits and non-discrimination policies covering sexual orientation and gender identity. Aetna also provides diversity education and training to promote an inclusive and productive work environment. Aetna supports its LGBT employees through Aetna's Network of Gay and Lesbian Employees (Angle) with active chapters throughout the U.S. As a result of these initiatives, Aetna president Bertolini, received the first annual Award for Leadership given jointly by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and the Human Rights Campaign at the first-ever "Out and Healthy Conference."
"The 2009 Corporate Equality Index shows that corporate America understands that a diverse workforce is critical to remaining successful and competitive," said HRC Foundation President Joe Solmonese. "In the absence of a federal law that prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, it is up to employers to take the lead and implement policies that ensure all their employees are protected."
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates.
www.aetna.com