Aetna And Marshall Medical Center Announce Two-Year Contract Agreement

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., , October 20, 2008 — Aetna (NYSE: AET) and Marshall Medical Center announced today they have reached a new contract agreement for the hospital and its affiliated physicians. Members of Aetna's PPO plans are now able to receive services on an in-network basis at Marshall Medical Center. The contract became effective June 1, 2008.

"We are pleased to be able to offer our members in El Dorado County access to the health care services provided by Marshall Medical Center and its affiliated physicians," said Brendhan Green, network vice president for Aetna in Northern California. "The addition of Marshall Medical Center is an important component of Aetna's growing network in California's Central Valley."

"We are thrilled to be able to offer yet another insurance option for our patients and potential patients in El Dorado County," said Marshall CFO Laurie Eldridge.  "Marshall's clinical services were ranked in the top 5 percent nationally by HealthGrades for 2007 and 2008 and we know people want to have access to these local, quality services.  This should provide access to many county residents that might not have had it before."

Aetna has approximately 6,390 physicians and 74 hospitals participating in its Central Valley network, serving local membership of approximately 4,100 in El Dorado County.

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

About Marshall Medical Center
Marshall Medical Center is an independent, nonprofit community healthcare provider located in the heart of the Sierra Foothills between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe.  Marshall Medical Center includes Marshall Hospital, a fully accredited acute care facility with 105 beds located in Placerville; several outpatient facilities and services in Cameron Park, Placerville and Georgetown; primary care, OB/GYN, pediatric and rheumatology physician groups located in Placerville, El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park; and many community health and education programs.  Marshall has over 190 affiliated physicians and a team of 1400 employees providing quality healthcare services to more than 150,000 residents of El Dorado County. www.marshallmedical.org