The small-group plans are the first of their kind to be offered by Aetna and offer employers "Wellness on Us," said Patrick Young, president of Aetna's Mid-Atlantic Region small and middle market business.  "Smaller companies want to provide high-quality, affordable plans for their employees," said Young.  "But at the same time, they're afraid some workers will shy away from getting needed preventive screenings if they have to pay co-pays out of their own pockets.  These new Aetna plans are designed to address those concerns."

The plans will be marketed and sold through agents and brokers across the state.

"Like everyone else, small employers in Pennsylvania are looking for affordable plans that help their workers stay healthy, while making sure they can get the care they need should they become sick," said Ron Flaherty, president of Liberty Benefits Inc., a full-service employee benefits brokerage and consulting firm in Conshohocken, Pa.  "Aetna has developed a terrific new approach with its 'Wellness on Us' program, which will encourage members of small-group plans to get the preventive health screenings they need."

Aetna will offer 45 different plan designs for small-group customers in the state.  They include indemnity, point-of-service and PPO options, both with and without referrals.  Many of the plans also can accommodate a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).  The plans also include options for coverage of prescription drugs.

In all of the plans, members will not be charged a co-pay when they visit the doctor for routine vision exams; physicals; well-child visits; gynecological exams; and mammograms.  These are the first plans of this type offered by Aetna in any state. 

Aetna provides health benefits to more than 1.1 million members in Pennsylvania.  Those members have access to contracted networks that include 201 acute-care hospitals, 8,576 primary care physicians and 22,335 specialists.

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