Aetna Health Insurance Company

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As providers go, the Aetna Health Insurance Company is one of the most recognizable names in the industry. The organization is considered a leader as it offers dental, disability and prescription coverage in addition to its general health insurance, and touts a membership of over 19 million members in its medical plans alone. Of course, that does not mean that Aetna is the best health insurance company for your specific needs and health issues. Take few minutes to review some of Aetna’s plans and programs. Then use the free quote tool on this page to compare this provider with others before making a commitment to your health insurance investment.

Aetna’s History And Financial Stability

Aetna was started as an annuity fund that sold life insurance back in 1850. The name was inspired by a volcano in Sicily called Mt. Etna. It is the most active volcano in Europe and the name was taken to convey strength. Throughout the years, the company has offered a variety of insurance plans from farmer’s insurance to earthquake insurance for the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The payouts of $225 million completely decimated many insurers at that time. Clearly Aetna survived, thrived and in 2008 was selected the Most Admired Company in the health care industry by Fortune magazine.

There is definitely an advantage with going with an insurance provider with a national reputation and presence. You can be fairly certain that they are financially able to meet their commitments; although it’s also a good idea to check with a group like Moody’s or A.M. Best to see how they rate in your specific state. In 2008, Aetna had revenues of $31.6 billion with over 35,000 employees.

Aetna provides insurance products for companies that offer insurance to their employees, as well as those for individuals and families. While getting health insurance through work is seen as a great benefit, it’s not realistic for everyone. Also, many people find that they can better tailor a plan to their needs, and save money by not being pooled with higher risk participants and opting for an individual insurance plan.

If you are a small business employer, you can look into the Small Group Employer plans that will ensure anywhere from 2 to 50 employees. For private individuals and families, there are also a variety of options that vary from state to state. Aetna does not provide health insurance in all states, so getting a quote is the best place to start. You can also contact agents at the number above for help in determining which providers serve your specific state.

Aetna Member Services

One of the more popular member services provided by Aetna is an interactive website that provides information on prevention and specific diseases, tools to manage health and financial advice on managing your health care funds. Simply register online once you have a policy, and you will have access to some truly useful resources. In order to get plan specifics for your state you will need to get a rate quote. However, the services listed below are widely available.

Aetna Advantage plans are the name that covers a variety of benefit plans. Some offer dental coverage in combination with the plan. Maternity benefits are not currently offered in the majority of states at this point in time. However, complications related to pregnancy are, and newborns are covered automatically for 31 days, and can then be added to an existing policy.

The Advantage plans generally work by assigning a Primary Care Physician or PCP to help mange your plan. This person should act as your advocate as well as a primary care giver and advisor in case you need the help of a specialist. You may choose a pediatrician, general practitioner or an internist for this role.

Prescription drug benefits are a component of many of the Advantage plans. Some are based on a formulary method. This means that there is a list of preferred medications to help both you and your insurer manage costs. If there are specific medications that you know you need to have, it’s a good idea to find out if your proposed plan is subject to a formulary and, if so, if your desired medication is on it. If it’s not, the plan will not pay for it. Using generic drugs when you can is one way to save money on this or any other plan, as they cost less than name brand drugs.

Compare Aetna Health Insurance Quotes!

The first step to selecting a good insurance plan is to compare your options. For some folks, Aetna Health Insurance Company will offer services and benefits that suit their needs. For others, another provider will be a better match. Why not find out the answer for yourself? Go to the quote tool above, enter your zip code, and you will receive rate quotes from the best health insurance providers in your area. You can start now!