Aetna Returns to Maryland's Medicare Advantage Market

Aetna has received approval from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to offer three Medicare Advantage HMO plans to individual Medicare beneficiaries in seven Maryland counties. This marks Aetna's return to the state's Medicare Advantage HMO market, offering a range of plan designs, benefits, and cost options to beneficiaries. The new plans will be available for February 1, 2005, effective dates. Eric Cormier, head of Medicare Markets for Aetna in the Mid-Atlantic area, expressed excitement about providing Maryland's Medicare beneficiaries with more choices and a greater sense of control over their health care needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Aetna has received approval from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to offer three Medicare Advantage HMO plans in seven Maryland counties.
• The new plans will be available for February 1, 2005, effective dates.
• This marks Aetna's return to the Maryland Medicare Advantage HMO market after exiting the market.
• Aetna also offers a Medicare point-of-service plan, the Aetna Golden Choice Plan, to beneficiaries in the same counties.
• Medicare beneficiaries will be able to choose from three Aetna Golden Medicare Plan designs, each offering different benefits and cost options.
• Eric Cormier, head of Medicare Markets for Aetna in the Mid-Atlantic area, stated that Aetna is poised to grow its Medicare plan business, both with individuals and employer groups.
• Aetna believes that its plans offer beneficiaries the flexibility to choose the best fit for their lifestyles and health needs.

Statistics:

• 7 Maryland counties will offer Aetna's Medicare Advantage HMO plans: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Calvert, Charles, Harford, and Howard.
• 3 Aetna Golden Medicare Plan options will be available to beneficiariates in the aforementioned counties.
• February 1, 2005, is the effective date for the new plans.

Sources:

• Aetna announcement via Health & Medicine Week
• "U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services" official website
• Health & Medicine Week editors' report through NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net, 2005