Aetna Global Benefits Introduces Aetna HealthFund® Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan
Plans feature member-support services and tools designed specifically for globally mobile employees
HARTFORD, Conn, February 1, 2007 - Aetna Global Benefits (AGB), the international business of Aetna (NYSE: AET), announced today that it will begin offering the Aetna HealthFund® Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) plan to employers with workers on international assignments. This new plan is the latest expansion of the Aetna HealthFund family of plans, which includes consumer-directed products and services for employers of all sizes.
"We are excited to be the first in the industry to offer an international health reimbursement arrangement," said Martha Temple, vice president, head of Aetna Global Benefits. "This product combines Aetna’s industry leading capabilities in consumer-directed plans with AGB’s continued effort to provide high-quality, concierge-level services to our members around the world."
Aetna HealthFund Features
The Aetna HealthFund HRA, which includes elements of traditional health coverage, has four major components - the fund, the deductible, the underlying PPO or point-of-service health plan, and a broad suite of tools and information that support members in their new role as health care consumers.
The fund that employees receive is automatically used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses incurred anywhere in the world. Any money remaining in the fund at the end of the year is rolled over to the following year as long as the member remains in the plan. In addition, preventive care is fully-covered and not subject to the deductible, so employees do not have to use their fund for these expenses.
If consumers use their entire HRA, they will then have to meet their specific plan deductible. However, when expenses are paid using the HRA, the deductible is automatically reduced by the same amount, meaning that consumers will pay less to reach their deductible.
After the fund is depleted and the deductible is met, any additional expenses are covered according to the specific plan coverage level. There is also an out-of-pocket maximum that caps the amount a health plan member is required to pay outside of his or her benefits plan for covered services.
Member-Support Tools
To engage these consumers, AGB has tools and information specifically created for globally mobile employees, including:
- An International Service Center that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is staffed by multicultural/multilingual employees.
- Online profiles of more than 2,800 English-speaking, Western-trained doctors outside the United States, as well as CityHealthTM profiles of more than 635 cities in 105 countries. These profiles contain emergency phone numbers and other important local contact information.
- A web-based glossary of more than 700 common medical terms and phrases, available in 10 different languages.
- 716 direct pay facilities in 107 countries which enables a member to receive qualifying care without incurring upfront costs.
"Employees on international assignment have a wide range of issues, such as dealing with a new culture and language, learning how to use a foreign health care system, being separated from their family, and of course, work-related assignments and challenges," Temple said. "Because of these unique circumstances, we feel it is important to offer them tools and services suited to their distinct needs."
When accessing care in the U.S., Aetna also offers best-in-class online services, including the secure, easy-to-use Aetna NavigatorTM website. On this site, members can research the status of their claims; find participating doctors or hospitals with the DocFind® directory; and research the cost and quality of care with the Hospital Comparison and Estimate the Cost of Care tools. In addition, Aetna members will also be able to access the recently launched Health History Report (HHR), which will provide members with online access to personal information to help them make informed decisions about their health care.
"If we want individuals to take a more active role in their health care, it’s imperative that we give them the opportunity to review their personal health benefits information and also give them access to simple, relevant health-related information," Temple added. "These resources will allow them to make informed, educated decisions about their health care, no matter where they are in the world."
About Aetna Global Benefits
Aetna Global Benefits (AGB), the international health and group benefits subsidiary of Aetna, Inc., provides comprehensive benefits coverage for more than 180,000 expatriates, third-country nationals, and key local nationals in more than 100 countries. As the international business unit of Aetna, AGB leverages the connections and capabilities of its parent company. AGB’s products are tailored to meet the unique needs of a globally mobile population, helping multinational employers attract and retain qualified employees for international assignments. AGB recognizes its diverse customer base has different requirements, and offers multiple solutions to meet the needs of a variety of companies and organizations. Find out more about AGB by visiting www.aetnaglobalbenefits.com.
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 29.8 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. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans. www.aetna.com