Aetna Signs Agreement with Mayo Clinic Florida and Mayo Clinic Jacksonville

Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today that it has reached agreement with Mayo Clinic Florida on a new contract that provides in–network access to the clinic and physicians for members of specific Aetna plans.

Under the new agreement, Aetna members whose plans do not require referrals will be able to receive covered services, at in-network rates from Mayo Clinic Florida and its physician group, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, which includes more than 60 primary care physicians and more than 400 specialists.

The Aetna plans covered under the contract are: Open Choice PPO; Aetna Choice POS II; Managed Choice Open Access; Open Access Aetna Select; Open Access Elect Choice; Aetna Student Health; Aetna Affordable Health Choices; and Aetna Signature Administrators.

Mayo Clinic returns to Aetna’s Jacksonville-area network after its existing contract ran out last October.

"Aetna is very happy to have reached a contract agreement with Mayo Clinic Florida and Mayo Clinic Jacksonville,” said Tom Nasby, Aetna’s vice president of network management for the Jacksonville area. "The parties continued talking with one another even after the contract expired in October, and we’re gratified that those conversations resulted in a successful outcome that expanded access for our members.”

"We are very happy to have this new agreement with Aetna to be able to serve Aetna's members and clients. And in our view, this renewed relationship is built on a foundation that is meant to last," said David Bolling, vice chair of Mayo Clinic's Contracting and Payer Relations department.

Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. More than 3,400 physicians, scientists and researchers and 46,000 allied health staff work at Mayo Clinic’s campuses in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, collectively treating more than half a million people each year. In April 2008, a new 214-bed hospital opened in Jacksonville, Fla., featuring the latest medical and surgical technology, innovative operating suites, and spacious patient rooms. US News and World Report this year named Mayo Clinic to its honor roll of top hospitals in its 2008 America’s Best Hospitals issue for the 19th consecutive year.

Aetna provides health benefits to approximately 247,000 members in the Jacksonville area. Those members have access to a network that includes 16 contracted hospitals and more than 3,000 primary care physicians and specialists.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.5 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.