Healthy Highlights, to the May 2004 Issue of Employee Care Consumers

Aetna’s Small Business MAY 2005 Healthy

Highlights(2-50 Eligible Employees)

Welcome to the Interest in Consumer-Directed The employee has more financial “Extreme makeover/ Health Plans Continue to Grow responsibility to determine how and name change” Market interest in consumer-directed when their health care dollars are used, edition of Aetna’s health plans (CDHPs) continues to so they have an incentive to become Small Business grow at an accelerated rate. According informed and more efficient health Healthy Highlights, to the May 2004 issue of Employee care consumers. Since most of these formerly called Plan Sponsor Benefit News, over one million plans combine a high deductible Informative. Americans are enrolled in these rela- health plan with a fund or account, tively new plans. A primary reason for employees are covered by a high We are committed to making health the onset of CDHPs is that it repre- deductible health plan plus have access plan administration easy, so that sents an opportunity to begin to to a fund benefit or account to help small business owners can spend implement a health care consumerism pay for qualified medical expenses. more of their time focusing on strategy — a trend to increase con- There are many opportunities to intro- building a successful business and sumers’ awareness and understanding duce the notion of consumerism into less time trying to figure out their of their health care benefit options and benefit programs. However, plans and benefit coverage. related costs. A CDHP, as constructed arrangements that include spending accounts are generating the most inter- In the pages that follow, you will by most players in the market today, est in the marketplace. Two of these find some helpful tips on administer- consists of three basic components: a health fund or account, a high account based CDHPs include Health ing your health plan, as well as Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) some great information on new deductible health plan and web-based information tools to help members and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). products and services that Aetna is make more informed health care deci- While HSAs have only recently been offering. In addition, there is some sions. Broadly defined, a CDHP puts introduced, HRAs have been available health and wellness information members in charge of their own health for several years and are currently more that you can share with your staff. care by providing greater control over prevalent in the market. Afterall, you need healthy employ- the use of their health care dollars and ees to run a healthy business. provides access to tools and informa- Thank you for being an Aetna tion which assist them in their decision client and I hope you find our making. Under a CDHP, employees new newsletter both informative are encouraged to become more and helpful. involved in their own health care decisions.

Steve Wohlwend General Manager, Aetna’s Southeast Small Business Division

14.22.900.1 (5/05)

Aetna offers a new packaged life & disability product for small businesses that starts as low as $8 per employee, per month. Call your Aetna Account Manager, broker or the Sales Support Unit at 1-888-422-2128. tips&trends

(continued from cover) Movement is key to Here are some simple ways to do that: CDHP’s Effect on Plan Sponsors good health I Skip the elevator and the escalator — take the stairs. Plan sponsors responsible for benefits There are countless reasons to work decision making and management more activity into your day, but often I Park farther away. are challenged to keep up with the this is difficult — particularly for people constant pace of change in benefits I who have never been active or who Walk to a co-worker’s desk. offerings and cost increases. After haven’t been active in a long time. multiple years of double-digit cost I Ditch the car for short trips. increases, employers appear ready for With so many modern conveniences I the concepts of increased consumer — from elevators, escalators and drive- Skip the leaf blower and rake the accountability and cost sharing. throughs to e-mail, computers and cell leaves. A key finding of the Ninth Annual phones — many people have come to I Go outside and play with your kids National Business Group on Health/ value and expect speed and ease. These (or your nieces and nephews or Watson Wyatt Survey 2004 is that changes work against an active lifestyle grandchildren). high-performing companies, as a in two ways. First, making time for group, tend to place more emphasis physical activity takes forethought, You will have more success incorporat- on individual accountability and ing movement into your life if you responsibility for health care decisions. planning and some level of effort. Second, it is very easy to be inactive. enjoy it, if it’s convenient and if it These same employers expect to have Why climb a flight of stairs to talk to a doesn’t disrupt your life that much. a median cost increase of 7 percent, a Making a few minor changes can be full 10 percentage points lower than co-worker when you can stay at your their low performing peers. desk and zip off a quick e-mail? the first step to becoming more active Experience is showing that the more on a regularly scheduled basis, or it can employers learn about the new con- This may seem simple, but as anyone be an end in itself; either way you’ll see sumer-directed plans, the more inter- who has ever tried starting a new exer- and feel the benefits. ested they are in offering them to cise program will attest, a whole array their employees. The Mercer Human of issues can impede your journey to a Resource Consulting “Survey on healthier lifestyle. Many people are Health Savings Accounts” results released in April 2004, indicate 73% intimidated by exercise or don’t find it of 991 employers surveyed responded enjoyable. They may not know how to it is either very likely or somewhat start, or they may not be particularly likely that they will offer a high interested in making exercise a part of deductible health plan with an HSA their lives. Although there are numer- by 2006. (Survey results are available at www.mercerhr.com.) ous benefits to regularly planned ses- sions of aerobic and resistance training, Understanding the differences there is much to be said for just incor- between HRAs and HSAs and weigh- ing the pros and cons of each model is porating more movement into your critical, but can be a bit daunting. daily life. Aetna encourages you to discuss these plans with your insurance broker or consultant as well as with your company’s financial and tax advisor so you can make decisions service&support

Employee/Group Terminations Helpful renewal tips Enrollment paperwork reminders I Make sure that each enrollment form Group Term Policy: Contract language At Aetna, we’re always looking for states that an Employer must provide a ways to improve the service we pro- is filled out in its entirety. written notice of termination not less vide. We want your renewal experience I Each enrollment form should include than 30 days prior to the termination to be a smooth, timely and stress free date. Requests not made within the 30 your group name, group number, days must be submitted with proof of experience. That’s why we’ve put hire date, effective date of coverage, other coverage (i.e., welcome letter together a list of helpful tips to assist birth dates, social security numbers, from new carrier). you in completing the renewal process. complete dependent information and Employee Terms: Must be submitted With complete, accurate information, signatures. on a Change Form to the Sales Support we can process your paperwork quickly I Center within 30 days of the termina- and help prevent enrollment delays. Make sure that all information pro- tion date of the employee. Please retain vided is accurate and consistent. proof of submission. To renew with your current I Please be aware that certain plan Aetna plan: Termed for non-payment of premi- changes will require that we contact I Simply sign the Plan Sponsor ums: All groups will be allotted twice you to obtain additional forms. — in a rolling 12 month period — the signature page and fax into our option to reinstate their group policy service center to the attention Requests for plan changes should be after being lapsed (TERMED) for non of the Sales Support Unit at submitted 10 days prior to the renewal payment of premiums if both the over- 1-800-793-2304. date. If you have a question, either due month and current month premiums are paid within 10 days from date contact your Account Manager, the of notice. If a group is terminated a To renew with an alternate Sales Support Unit or your broker. third time in a rolling 12 month period, plan option: the group will not receive a reinstate- I Clearly indicate on the Plan Sponsor All plan changes are subject to ment offer. The group will be termed signature page which plan or plans Underwriting Guidelines and without an option to reinstate. you will be selecting. (Also indicate participation requirements. Reinstatements may only be approved which plan/plans you will be termi- by an Aetna General Manager. Sales Support Unit: nating.) So easy to use! I To eliminate any possible confusion, There is one number to call for always included a list detailing which enrollment, claim and billing issues Pre-Renewal Employer plan each employee will be enrolling in. and there is always someone there to answer your questions. Want to Verification Forms I If the alternate plan options you Approximately six months prior to your received don’t meet your needs, know if someone has been added to renewal, you will receive a request to com- please reach out to your broker or or terminated from the plan? Have plete an employer verification form. It is questions about the statement you very important in processing your renewal call Aetna at 1-888-422-2128. We that we receive this information on time. can help find a plan that is a better just received? Call Contact One at Also, please remember to include a copy fit for your specific business needs. 1-888-422-2128 for answers. of your UCT6 and proof of Worker’s Compensation Insurance. Without this information, you risk being non-renewed or receiving an additional rate up. tools&resources

Aetna NavigatorTM Plan for Your Health Today! Save money on key Aetna members can access this online Visit www.planforyourhealth.com — purchases for your small resource for personalized benefits and an easy-to-use, interactive website that business with Aetna’s guides you through important choices health information. This interactive Resource Connection you need to make when it comes to website offers a complete variety of self health benefits and how they impact service transactions including: Aetna’s Resource Connection provides our your financial future at key life stages. small business customers with access to I Instant Eligibility Info discounts on various office supplies and I Print Temporary ID Cards You’ll find: services important to the daily operations I I View claims Basic tips and information about of their business. I And much more… health benefits plans. Utilizing our corporate volume discount purchasing power, we have established a I Information to help you choose the All only a mouse click away best health benefits options for you network of goods and services providers www.aetna.com that have agreed to extend our corporate and your family. Plan for Your Health with Aetna pricing and discounts onto our small busi- I ness clients. This means that, as an Aetna Making the best health benefits decisions An easy-to-understand glossary of health benefits terms. client, your small business now has the for you and your family isn’t easy. While same purchasing power and influence as a nearly two-thirds of women are responsi- I Tools to help you determine how key Fortune 100 corporation with thousands ble for family health care decisions, 35 life changes impact health benefits of employees. percent do not feel “knowledgeable” and financial choices. Aetna small business customers can find about their health benefits according to discounts on goods & services such as: I a recent national survey.1 And, many A handy health expense calculator I Office Supplies (paper, toner and writing do not consider their health benefits to estimate your annual health care instruments, etc.) decisions as part of their overall financial expenses. planning, even though these choices I Survey conducted by Ipsos Public I Computers can greatly impact their health and Affairs. I financial well-being. Aetna and the Office Furniture Financial Planning Association (FPA) I Legal Services have teamed up to create Plan for Your I Health, a new public education campaign Tax Services designed to help you understand the I Staffing important connection between health I benefits and your financial planning. Building Maintenance Plan for Your Health gives you tools I Financial Services and easy-to-understand information to help you make well-informed health For more information on this benefits decisions that can help protect program, visit www.aetna.com/ your health and financial future. employer/arc.html health&wellness

The Mouth Matters — Dental ture births account for approximately A Healthy Body Starts Care and the Bottom Line 5 million neonatal intensive care unit with a Healthy Smile. Did you know there is compelling hospital days at an annual cost of more research indicating a strong connection than $5 billion. When it comes to overall health, oral health may be pivotal. There is com- between chronic long-term health prob- Also, population studies have shown lems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and pelling research indicating a strong that people with gum disease have a correlation between chronic, long-term pregnancy complications, with the pres- 1.5 to 2.0 times greater risk of fatal health problems, such as diabetes, ence of oral disease and infection? That heart disease and stroke. Specifically, heart disease and pregnancy complica- means a visit to the dentist may result in gum disease has been identified as a tions, with the presence of oral dis- far more than just sparkling teeth and risk factor in the development and ease and infection. gums. A dentist can literally be the cata- build-up of plaque on artery walls.*** lyst in the prevention, early detection and When it comes to calculating these costs treatment of potentially deadly diseases. over time, the math isn’t hard to do. What does this mean for plan spon- At Aetna we have the distinctive ability sors? At Aetna, we believe dental bene- to leverage our systems, data and fits can translate into healthy outcomes resources to uncover and track disease. and long term cost savings. In a study This is the Aetna Dental Advantage - Aetna conducted of its membership translating integrated services into from plan years 2001 and 2002, it was overall health solutions and long term determined that members who cost savings. received dental care earlier had lower medical costs per month, especially We hope that by intervening in the those members with diabetes and dental utilization patterns of our mem- heart/cardiac conditions. bers, we can drive medical savings and show that expenses are lower for those How is this possible? Almost 90 per- who have regular dental visits com- cent of all systemic diseases, including pared to those with no dental visits. diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are detectable in the mouth.* This means a Offering integrated medical and dental dentist can literally be the catalyst in plans is more than good sense...it’s Aetna offers affordably priced dental the prevention, early detection and good business. plans that you can easily add to your treatment of potentially deadly diseases. * Academy of General Dentistry website, medical coverage. And, you’ll receive www.agd.org. “The Importance of Oral Health,” just one bill for all lines of coverage. September, 2003. For example, a landmark study found ** Jeffcoat MK, Geurs NC, Reddy MS, Cliver SP, Goldenerg RL, Hauth JC. Periodontal infection and For more information, that mothers of preterm, low birth preterm birth: results of a prospective study. J Am weight babies had significantly worse Dent Assoc. 2001 Jul;132(7):875-80. contact your Aetna *** Beck JD, Elter JR, Heiss G, Couper D, Mauriello SM, gum disease than mothers of normal Offenbacher S. Relationship of periodontal disease to Account Manager, broker carotid artery intima-media wall thickness: the athero- birth weight infants, and that gum dis- sclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) study. Arterioscler or the Sales Support Unit Thromb Vasc Biol. 2001 Nov;21(11):1816-22. ease increased the risk for having a at 1-888-422-2128. preterm low birth weight baby by more than seven-fold.** These prema- What do you think? Important contact information Send us your comments and suggestions on our newsletter at For your employees — [email protected]. Member Services for HMO & QPOS plans: 1-888-702-3862

Member Services for PPO & Indemnity plans: 1-888-802-3862

Find Aetna Small Group Find a Doctor Online Broaden Your Benefits Local Account Manager: Did you know that Aetna has a user- Aetna is proud to introduce a new suite friendly website that puts health and of dental, life and disability products Arkansas & Tennessee provider information right at your fin- effective March 1, 2005. We are also Stephanie Willbanks gertips. The address is: www.aetna.com offering a packaged life and disability Phone: 501-690-6323 product for as little as $8 per employee or 1-800-860-8410 DocFind®, our online provider directory per month. Please contact your Aetna Fax: 1-800-467-1077 gives you detailed information about [email protected] Account Manager or the Sales Support participating providers. It also helps you Unit at 1-888-422-2128. locate participating doctors, hospitals Florida and dentists in the Aetna network. Premium Payments Aimee K. DeWispelaere Select Aetna Standard Plans to find Your premium statement is produced Phone: 407-260-8223 or information applicable to your group. the third Saturday of each month. If 1-866-504-0224 Fax: 407-260-0377 This website also features product you made changes to your account that [email protected] information, health tips and access were not processed prior to the bill run, the credits/charges will be reflected on Christine Vilches to Intelihealth®, an award winning Phone: 813-775-0295 or consumer health information site with your next statement. You have a thirty- 1-800-232-2385, ext. 50295 the latest health news and resources, day grace period for premium payment. Fax: 813-775-0609 including detailed prescription drug [email protected] information and a medical library Deacon Eckert with definitions of medical terms. Phone: 941-379-4124 Visit us on the Web. Fax: 941-379-0922 [email protected] Lisa Janotti Phone: 904-291-7961 Fax: 904-291-2502 [email protected]

Georgia Rebecca Pass Phone: 770-346-2206 [email protected].

Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of subsidiary companies. The Aetna companies that offer, underwrite or administer beneﬁt coverage include Aetna Health Inc., Aetna Health of Illinois Inc., Aetna Life Insurance Company and 14.22.900.1 (5/05) ©2005 Aetna Inc. Corporate Health Insurance Company.