Aetna Expands Availability of Network Option Based on Clinical Performance and Cost-Effectiveness; Aexcel(SM) Available in 11 New Markets; Nearly 300,000 Members to Date

The 11 new markets are Arizona; Austin and San Antonio, TX;Chicago, IL; Northern/Central Valley, CA; Cleveland and Columbus, OH;Maine; and Tampa, Orlando and South Florida (Dade and BrowardCounties). Markets are selected based on the size and performance ofthe area's specialist network and significant interest by employers insupporting this initiative. Aetna's network option can be offered byemployers on a stand-alone basis or as a choice among Aetna's othernetworks.

"Through Aexcel, Aetna is engaging key stakeholders in the healthcare system in an innovative solution that provides access tospecialists who have met clinical performance measures anddemonstrated effective use of health care resources," said DonaldStorey, M.D., Aetna's senior medical director for Aexcel. "We areworking together with our constituents to deliver a value-based,cost-effective network option that has been very well-received. Aexcelcurrently has 25 customers and nearly 300,000 members."

Aetna developed a rigorous evaluation process to identifyphysicians in 12 specialties who have shown they deliver morecost-effective care. Doctors within those specialties were evaluatedusing measures of clinical performance and efficiency in their use ofhealth care resources. The specialties included in Aexcel arecardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, gastroenterology, general surgery,obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, neurology,neurosurgery, plastic surgery, vascular surgery and urology.

"Using data from Aexcel is helping us work with Aetna,corporations and physicians to re-engineer the delivery of healthcare. We share a common commitment to improve safety, quality andpatient satisfaction while reducing cost," said Robert S. Mecklenburg,M.D., chief of the Department of Medicine at Virginia Mason MedicalCenter in Seattle.

Constituent feedback about Aexcel is important to Aetna. SinceAexcel's inception, Aetna has maintained dialogue about thedesignation and market selection process with employers and themedical community.

"REI is about outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles, so it'simportant to us that we offer high-quality, cost-effective care tohelp our employees stay healthy and manage their health careexpenses," said Giselle Sampson, employee benefit manager forRecreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national, Seattle-based supplierof specialty outdoor gear and clothing. "Aexcel helps us provide thatlevel of care for our employees in each market where it's availableand is an important element of our benefits strategy."

Consumers often have little access to independent, objectiveinformation when they choose specialists. Aexcel is one of a series ofindustry-leading initiatives from Aetna designed to address risingmedical costs, maintain access to quality care, and help consumersmake more informed health care decisions. All are complemented byWeb-based decision support tools to help members get more from theirhealth care dollars. This includes health care pricing and qualitytools, online claims and fund tracking, credible health informationand health risk assessments.

Aexcel-designated specialists are the centerpiece of Aetna'sPerformance Network, a network option that also includes Aetnaparticipating primary care providers, hospitals and physicians innon-Aexcel specialties.

In 2005, Aexcel was made available in Atlanta; Houston;Metropolitan DC (MD/DC/Northern VA); Metropolitan NY/Northern NewJersey; Los Angeles; and Connecticut. In 2004, Aexcel was introducedin Seattle/Western Washington; North Florida; and Dallas/Fort Worth.

As one of the nation's leading providers of health care, dental,pharmacy, group life, disability and long-term care benefits, Aetnaputs information and helpful resources to work for its approximately14.4 million medical members, 12.8 million dental members, 9.0 millionpharmacy members and 14.0 million group insurance members to help themmake better informed decisions about their health care and protecttheir finances against health-related risks. Aetna provides easyaccess to cost-effective health care through a nationwide network ofmore than 672,000 health care professionals, including approximately400,000 primary care and specialist doctors and 4,084 hospitals. Formore information, please visit www.Aetna.com. (Figures as of March 31,2005)