TAMPA, Fla., December 24, 2008 — Aetna (NYSE: AET) and BayCare Health System announced today that they have reached agreement on a new multi-year contract that ensures continuation of their long-term relationship in the Tampa Bay area.  The new contract takes effect Jan. 1, 2009.

Under the agreement, BayCare's nine area hospitals will continue to participate in Aetna's provider network.  Those hospitals are:  South Florida Baptist Hospital; Morton Plant North Bay Hospital; St. Joseph's Women's Hospital; Mease Countryside Hospital; Morton Plant Hospital; St. Joseph's Hospital; Mease Dunedin Hospital; St. Joseph's Children's Hospital of Tampa; and St. Anthony's Hospital. 

"Aetna is very pleased to announce this agreement with BayCare Health System," said Stuart Kilpinen, Aetna's network vice president for the Tampa Bay area.  "The BayCare facilities are an important part of our area network, and we're happy to be extending that affiliation."

Aetna provides health benefits to approximately 400,000 members on Florida's Gulf Coast.  Those members have access to a contracted network of 57 hospitals and more than 6,900 primary-care and specialist physicians.

"We are pleased we reached agreement on a multi-year contract and that Aetna members will continue to have access to BayCare Health System hospitals, outpatient facilities and regional services," said Isaac Mallah, BayCare Health System executive.

About BayCare Health System
BayCare is a community-based health care system in the Tampa Bay area with 17,400 employees. We connect patients to a complete range of services through our nine leading not-for-profit hospitals, 11 outpatient and imaging facilities, and other regional services that reach beyond the Bay area. On the web: www.baycare.org.

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. For more information, see www.aetna.com.