Aetna Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091029005477/en

-- Third-quarter 2009 operating earnings per share (1) were $.69, above the
Thomson-First Call mean of $.66

-- Net income per share in the third quarter 2009 was $.73; increase driven by
improved investment environment

-- Commercial medical benefit ratio was 85.6 percent in the third quarter 2009

-- Medical membership totaled 19.0 million members at September 30, 2009

-- Aetna projects full-year 2009 operating earnings per share of $2.75 (2)

HARTFORD, Conn.--(Business Wire)--
Aetna (NYSE: AET) today announced third-quarter 2009 operating earnings of
$308.2 million, or $.69 per share, a 38 percent decrease from the prior-year
quarter. Operating earnings (1) exclude net realized capital gains (losses) and
other items. The decrease in operating earnings per share from the prior-year
quarter reflects a lower Commercial underwriting margin and a previously
announced increase in pension expense partially offset by the impact of a lower
number of shares outstanding year-over-year. The lower Commercial underwriting
margin was due to a significant increase in Commercial medical costs which was
partially offset by an increase in health care premiums. Net income was $326.2
million, or $.73 per share, a 26 percent increase from the prior-year quarter,
which included net realized capital losses of $.48 per share due to the
then-deteriorating global economic conditions.

Quarterly Financial Results at a Glance

Three Months Ended September 30,
(Millions, except per share results) 2009 2008 Change
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains (losses) $ 8,704.4 $ 7,981.4 9 %
Net realized capital gains (losses), net of tax 18.0 (232.0 ) 108 %
Operating earnings 308.2 536.7 (43 )%
Net income 326.2 277.3 18 %

Per share results:
Operating earnings .69 1.12 (38 )%
Net income .73 .58 26 %

Weighted average common shares - diluted 444.6 480.3

"Our third-quarter financial results reflect a Total Medical Benefit Ratio that
is in line with expectations despite a Commercial Medical Benefit Ratio that was
higher than projected," said Ronald A. Williams, chairman and CEO. "The
higher-than-expected Commercial MBR was due primarily to
greater-than-anticipated costs from the H1N1 flu and COBRA penetration rates.

"We expect in 2010 that ongoing uncertainty about the U.S. economy with respect
to employment and growth will continue to impact provider and member behavior as
well as customer preferences. Despite this uncertainty, we continue to have a
great deal of confidence in our long-term future, given our well-positioned,
diverse portfolio of businesses, our customer-focused strategy and our
underlying financial strength."

Williams continued: "Looking ahead, as the health care reform debate
intensifies, we will continue to be an active, constructive voice for a
bipartisan solution that gets and keeps everyone covered, builds on the
strengths of the employer-based system, and addresses the underlying cost and
affordability of health care. We believe that the right reforms can yield
positive, market based change that improves the health care system for more
Americans."

Joseph M. Zubretsky, executive vice president and CFO, said, "The increase in
net income in the third quarter was primarily a result of improved valuations in
our investment portfolio. Going forward, we expect that our ongoing medical cost
management and pricing action plans will have a noticeable effect beginning in
the first quarter of 2010, with additional financial impact realized during the
remaining three quarters of the year. As we work through the challenges facing
us, our financial position, capital structure and liquidity remain strong and we
are committed to making sure our operating expense structure is appropriately
aligned with the size, profile and needs of our customers."

Health Care business results

Health Care, which provides a full range of insured and self-insured medical,
pharmacy, dental and behavioral health products and services, reported:

* Operating earnings of $345.7 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared
with $496.8 million for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in operating
earnings reflects a 16 percent increase in medical costs partially offset by a
10 percent increase in premiums.
* Revenues excluding net realized capital gains (losses) for the third quarter
of 2009 increased by 9 percent to $8.0 billion from $7.3 billion for the third
quarter of 2008. Premium revenues grew by 10 percent, primarily from membership
growth and rate increases for renewing membership. Fees and other revenue
increased 5 percent in 2009 primarily driven by membership growth. Including net
realized capital gains (losses), total revenue increased by 13 percent in 2009.
* Medical benefit ratios ("MBRs") for third-quarter 2009 and 2008 were as
follows:

2009 2008
Commercial 85.6 % 80.3 %
Medicare 85.4 % 83.0 %
Medicaid 86.6 % 81.1 %
Total 85.6 % 80.9 %

-The year-over-year increase in the Commercial MBR reflects the impact of
continued higher claim intensity, higher costs from the H1N1 flu and higher
COBRA participation.

-The third quarter 2009 Commercial MBR exceeded the adjusted Commercial MBR of
84.6 percent (3) reported in the second quarter of 2009. The sequentially higher
medical costs were due primarily to a provision for certain prior year provider
medical costs, higher costs from the H1N1 flu and higher COBRA participation.

-The total MBR for the third quarter of 2009 reflects approximately $30 million
of favorable development of prior-period health care cost estimates, including
modest favorable development in each of Commercial, Medicare and Medicaid
products.

* Sequentially, third-quarter medical membership decreased by 25,000 to 19.027
million; pharmacy membership decreased by 79,000 to 11.155 million; and dental
membership decreased by 386,000 to 14.183 million.
* Net income of $356.5 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared with
$357.9 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Group Insurance business results

Group Insurance, which includes group life, disability and long-term care
products, reported:

* Operating earnings of $33.3 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared
with $46.4 million for the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to lower life
underwriting margins.
* Net income of $46.2 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared with a net
loss of $57.5 million for the third quarter of 2008.
* Revenues excluding net realized capital gains (losses) for the third quarter
of 2009 were $528.2 million, compared with $511.2 million for the third quarter
of 2008. Third-quarter total revenue, which includes net realized capital gains
(losses), was $541.1 million and $393.6 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Large Case Pensions business results

Large Case Pensions, which manages a variety of discontinued and other
retirement and savings products, primarily qualified pension plans, reported:

* Operating earnings of $6.7 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared
with $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2008, reflecting the run-off mode of
this business.
* Net income of $1.0 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared with a net
loss of $7.8 million for the third quarter of 2008.

Total company results

* Revenues excluding net realized capital gains (losses) increased 9 percent to
$8.7 billion for the third quarter of 2009, compared with $8.0 billion for the
third quarter of 2008. The growth in third-quarter revenue reflects a 9 percent
increase in premium revenue and a 5 percent increase in fees and other revenue.
This revenue growth reflects a higher level of membership and premium rate
increases.
* Total Operating Expenses were $1.6 billion for the third quarter of 2009,
$140.8 million higher than the third quarter of 2008, reflecting a previously
disclosed increase in the financing component of pension expense. The operating
expense ratio (4) was 18.1 percent and 17.4 percent for the third quarter of
2009 and 2008, respectively. Including net realized capital gains (losses) and
an other item, these percentages were 18.1 percent for the third quarter of 2009
and 18.8 percent for the third quarter of 2008.
* Corporate Financing Interest Expense was $39.4 million after tax for the third
quarter of 2009, compared with $39.3 million after tax for the third quarter of
2008.
* Net Income was $326.2 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared with
$277.3 million for the third quarter of 2008. Net income includes $18.0 million
of net realized capital gains in the third quarter of 2009 and $232.0 million of
net realized capital losses in the third quarter of 2008, which included
significant other-than-temporary impairments of certain investments which
decreased due to the then-deteriorating global economic conditions.
* Pre-tax Operating Margin (5) was 6.3 percent for the third quarter of 2009,
compared with 11.4 percent for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in
year-over-year pretax operating margin is due primarily to the decrease in
operating earnings. For the third quarter of 2009, the after tax net income
margin was 3.7 percent compared to 3.6 percent for 2008.
* Share Repurchases totaled 3.9 million shares at a cost of $114 million in the
third quarter of 2009.

Aetna`s conference call to discuss third quarter 2009 results and full-year 2009
guidance will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET today. The public may access the conference
call through a live audio webcast available on Aetna`s Investor Information link
on the internet at www.aetna.com. Financial, statistical and other information,
including GAAP reconciliations, related to the conference call also will be
available on Aetna`s Investor Information web site.

The conference call also can be accessed by dialing 877-397-0292or
719-325-4781for international callers. The company suggests participants dial in
approximately 10 minutes before the call. The access code is 4099734.
Individuals who dial in will be asked to identify themselves and their
affiliations.

A replay of the call may be accessed through Aetna`s Investor Information link
on the internet at www.aetna.com or by dialing 888-203-1112, or 719-457-0820 for
international callers. The replay access code is 4099734. Telephone replays will
be available from 11:00 a.m. ET on Oct. 29, 2009 until midnight ET on Nov. 12,
2009.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation`s leading diversified health care benefits companies,
serving approximately 36.3 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.

Consolidated Statements of Income

For the Three Months For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
(Millions) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Revenue:
Health care premiums $ 7,092.8 $ 6,450.8 $ 21,115.5 $ 18,993.2
Other premiums 471.4 466.7 1,432.4 1,415.2
Fees and other revenue 876.8 834.1 2,662.2 2,488.7
Net investment income 263.4 229.8 771.4 731.7
Net realized capital gains (losses) 18.0 (356.8 ) 26.4 (437.4 )
Total revenue 8,722.4 7,624.6 26,007.9 23,191.4

Benefits and expenses:
Health care costs 6,069.6 5,216.6 17,976.2 15,456.1
Current and future benefits 514.5 464.7 1,521.6 1,474.4
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses 312.2 282.2 938.5 861.6
General and administrative expenses (6) 1,263.3 1,152.5 3,653.3 3,372.0
Total operating expenses 1,575.5 1,434.7 4,591.8 4,233.6
Interest expense 60.6 60.5 182.8 171.5
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets 23.9 25.4 72.9 80.5
Reduction of reserve for anticipated future losses on discontinued products - - - (43.8 )
Total benefits and expenses 8,244.1 7,201.9 24,345.3 21,372.3

Income before income taxes 478.3 422.7 1,662.6 1,819.1
Income taxes 152.1 145.4 552.0 629.7
Net income $ 326.2 $ 277.3 $ 1,110.6 $ 1,189.4

Summary of Results

For the Three Months For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
(Millions) 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change
Business segment operating earnings $ 385.7 $ 552.0 (30 )% $ 1,292.6 $ 1,512.2 (15 )%
Corporate Financing segment operating loss (7) (77.5 ) (15.3 ) (233.3 ) (39.6 )
Operating earnings 308.2 536.7 (43 )% 1,059.3 1,472.6 (28 )%
Allowance on reinsurance recoverable - (27.4 ) - (27.4 )
Reduction of reserve for anticipated future losses on discontinued products - - - 28.5
Litigation-related insurance proceeds - - 24.9 -
Net realized capital gains (losses) 18.0 (232.0 ) 26.4 (284.3 )
Net income (GAAP measure) $ 326.2 $ 277.3 18 % $ 1,110.6 $ 1,189.4 (7 )%

Weighted average common shares - basic 436.0 468.0 443.8 480.9

Weighted average common shares - diluted 444.6 480.3 452.2 495.0

Per Common Share
Business segment operating earnings $ .87 $ 1.15 (24 )% $ 2.86 $ 3.05 (6 )%
Corporate Financing segment operating loss (7) (.18 ) (.03 ) (.52 ) (.08 )
Operating earnings .69 1.12 (38 )% 2.34 2.97 (21 )%
Allowance on reinsurance recoverable - (.06 ) - (.06 )
Reduction of reserve for anticipated future losses on discontinued products - - - .06
Litigation-related insurance proceeds - - .06 -
Net realized capital gains (losses) .04 (.48 ) .06 (.57 )
Net income (GAAP measure) $ .73 $ .58 26 % $ 2.46 $ 2.40 3 %

Segment Information (8)

For the Three Months For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
(Millions) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Health Care:
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains (losses) $ 8,037.8 $ 7,346.2 $ 23,978.0 $ 21,669.4
Net realized capital gains (losses) 10.8 (213.7 ) 6.9 (245.4 )
Total revenue (GAAP measure) $ 8,048.6 $ 7,132.5 $ 23,984.9 $ 21,424.0

Operating earnings $ 345.7 $ 496.8 $ 1,151.1 $ 1,366.3
Litigation-related insurance proceeds - - 24.9 -
Net realized capital gains (losses) 10.8 (138.9 ) 6.9 (159.5 )
Net income (GAAP measure) $ 356.5 $ 357.9 $ 1,182.9 $ 1,206.8

Group Insurance:
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains (losses) $ 528.2 $ 511.2 $ 1,591.1 $ 1,527.5
Net realized capital gains (losses) 12.9 (117.6 ) 26.4 (155.2 )
Total revenue (GAAP measure) $ 541.1 $ 393.6 $ 1,617.5 $ 1,372.3

Operating earnings $ 33.3 $ 46.4 $ 117.9 $ 119.1
Allowance on reinsurance recoverable - (27.4 ) - (27.4 )
Net realized capital gains (losses) 12.9 (76.5 ) 26.4 (100.9 )
Net income (loss) (GAAP measure) $ 46.2 $ (57.5 ) $ 144.3 $ (9.2 )

Large Case Pensions:
Revenue, excluding net realized capital losses $ 138.4 $ 124.0 $ 412.4 $ 431.9
Net realized capital losses (5.7 ) (25.5 ) (6.9 ) (36.8 )
Total revenue (GAAP measure) $ 132.7 $ 98.5 $ 405.5 $ 395.1

Operating earnings $ 6.7 $ 8.8 $ 23.6 $ 26.8
Reduction of reserve for anticipated future losses on discontinued products - - - 28.5
Net realized capital losses (5.7 ) (16.6 ) (6.9 ) (23.9 )
Net income (loss) (GAAP measure) $ 1.0 $ (7.8 ) $ 16.7 $ 31.4

Total Company:
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains (losses) (A) $ 8,704.4 $ 7,981.4 $ 25,981.5 $ 23,628.8
Net realized capital gains (losses) 18.0 (356.8 ) 26.4 (437.4 )
Total revenue (B) (GAAP measure) $ 8,722.4 $ 7,624.6 $ 26,007.9 $ 23,191.4

Business segment operating expenses (C) $ 1,516.9 $ 1,429.4 $ 4,453.9 $ 4,301.9
Corporate Financing segment operating expenses (7) 58.6 (36.9 ) 176.1 (110.5 )
Operating expenses, including Corporate Financing segment (D) 1,575.5 1,392.5 4,630.0 4,191.4
Litigation-related insurance proceeds - - (38.2 ) -
Allowance on reinsurance recoverable - 42.2 - 42.2
Total operating expenses (E) (GAAP measure) $ 1,575.5 $ 1,434.7 $ 4,591.8 $ 4,233.6

Operating Expenses Ratios:
Operating expense ratio (D)/(A) 18.1 % 17.4 % 17.8 % 17.7 %
Business segment operating expense ratio (C)/(A) 17.4 % 17.9 % 17.1 % 18.2 %
Total operating expense ratio (E)/(B) (GAAP measure) 18.1 % 18.8 % 17.7 % 18.3 %

Membership

September 30, June 30, December 31, September 30,
(Thousands) 2009 2009 2008 2008
Medical Membership:
Commercial 17,582 17,652 16,488 16,456
Medicare 428 423 366 365
Medicaid 1,017 977 847 847
Total Medical Membership 19,027 19,052 17,701 17,668

Consumer-Directed Health Plans (9) 1,862 1,827 1,431 1,412

Dental Membership:
Commercial 12,468 12,771 12,506 12,538
Medicare & Medicaid 676 653 603 628
Network Access (10) 1,039 1,145 1,015 951
Total Dental Membership 14,183 14,569 14,124 14,117

Pharmacy Membership:
Commercial 9,882 9,969 9,846 9,809
Medicare PDP (stand-alone) 338 328 375 372
Medicare Advantage PDP 233 227 195 193
Medicaid 29 27 25 23
Total Pharmacy Benefit Management Services 10,482 10,551 10,441 10,397
Mail Order (11) 673 683 657 657
Total Pharmacy Membership 11,155 11,234 11,098 11,054

Operating Margins

For the Three Months For the Nine Months
Ended September 30, Ended September 30,
(Millions) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Reconciliation to Income Before Income Taxes:
Operating earnings before income taxes, excluding interest expense and amortization of other acquired intangible assets (A) $ 544.8 $ 907.6 $ 1,853.7 $ 2,506.9
Interest expense (60.6 ) (60.5 ) (182.8 ) (171.5 )
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets (23.9 ) (25.4 ) (72.9 ) (80.5 )
Allowance on reinsurance recoverable - (42.2 ) - (42.2 )
Reduction of reserve for anticipated future losses on discontinued products - - - 43.8
Litigation-related insurance proceeds - - 38.2 -
Net realized capital gains (losses) 18.0 (356.8 ) 26.4 (437.4 )
Income before income taxes (GAAP measure) $ 478.3 $ 422.7 $ 1,662.6 $ 1,819.1

Reconciliation to Net Income:
Operating earnings, excluding interest expense and amortization of other acquired intangible assets $ 363.2 $ 592.5 $ 1,225.5 $ 1,636.4
Interest expense, net of tax (39.4 ) (39.3 ) (118.8 ) (111.5 )
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets, net of tax (15.6 ) (16.5 ) (47.4 ) (52.3 )
Allowance on reinsurance recoverable, net of tax - (27.4 ) - (27.4 )
Reduction of reserve for anticipated future losses on discontinued products, net of tax - - - 28.5
Litigation-related insurance proceeds, net of tax - - 24.9 -
Net realized capital gains (losses), net of tax 18.0 (232.0 ) 26.4 (284.3 )
Net income (B) (GAAP measure) $ 326.2 $ 277.3 $ 1,110.6 $ 1,189.4

Reconciliation of Revenue:
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains (losses) (C) $ 8,704.4 $ 7,981.4 $ 25,981.5 $ 23,628.8
Net realized capital gains (losses) 18.0 (356.8 ) 26.4 (437.4 )
Total revenue (D) (GAAP measure) $ 8,722.4 $ 7,624.6 $ 26,007.9 $ 23,191.4

Operating and Net Income Margins:
Total Company - Pretax operating margin (A)/(C) 6.3 % 11.4 % 7.1 % 10.6 %
Total Company - After-tax net income margin (B)/(D) (GAAP measure) 3.7 % 3.6 % 4.3 % 5.1 %

(1) Operating earnings exclude net realized capital gains and losses and other
items, if any, from net income. Although the excluded items may recur,
management believes that operating earnings and operating earnings per share
provide a more useful comparison of Aetna`s underlying business performance from
period to period. Management uses operating earnings to assess business
performance and to make decisions regarding Aetna`s operations and allocation of
resources among Aetna`s businesses. Operating earnings is also the measure
reported to the Chief Executive Officer for these purposes.

Each of the excluded items is discussed below:

* Net realized capital gains and losses arise from various types of
transactions, primarily in the course of managing a portfolio of assets that
support the payment of liabilities. However, these transactions do not directly
relate to the underwriting or servicing of products for customers and are not
directly related to the core performance of Aetna`s business operations.
* Following a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling in June 2009, we received $38.2
million ($24.9 million after tax) from one of our liability insurers related to
certain litigation we settled in 2003. We believe these litigation-related
insurance proceeds neither relate to the ordinary course of our business nor
reflect our underlying business performance, and therefore, we consider these to
be an other item for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
* Release of reserves for anticipated future losses on discontinued products in
Large Case Pensions of $28.5 million, after tax, is considered an other item for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as it represents a reduction of
reserves previously established for certain products no longer offered by Aetna
that do not benefit ongoing business operations.
* As a result of the liquidation proceedings of Lehman Re Ltd. ("Lehman Re"), a
subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., Aetna recorded an allowance against
its reinsurance recoverable from Lehman Re of $27.4 million ($42.2 million
pretax) in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008. This reinsurance
was placed in 1999 and is on a closed book of paid-up group whole life insurance
business. This is an other item for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2008 because it does not reflect underlying 2008 performance.

Revenue excludes net realized capital gains and losses.

For a reconciliation of these items to financial measures calculated under U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), refer to the tables on pages
7 through 9 and page 11 of this press release.

(2) Projected operating earnings per share exclude any future net realized
capital gains or losses and other items, if any, from net income. Aetna is not
able to project the amount of future net realized capital gains or losses and
therefore cannot reconcile projected operating earnings to projected net income
in any period. Projected operating earnings per share for the full year 2009
assumes approximately 450 million weighted average diluted shares.

(3) The Commercial MBR for the second quarter of 2009 reflected approximately
$65 million pretax of unfavorable development of prior period health care cost
estimates. Including this development, the Commercial MBR for the second quarter
of 2009 was 85.9%.

(4) The operating expense ratio excludes net realized capital gains and losses
and other items, if any. Refer to a reconciliation of this metric to the
comparable GAAP measure on page 9 of this press release.

(5) In order to provide useful information regarding Aetna`s profitability on a
basis comparable to others in the industry, without regard to financing
decisions, income taxes or amortization of other acquired intangible assets
(each of which may vary for reasons not directly related to the performance of
the underlying business), Aetna`s pretax operating margin is based on operating
earnings excluding interest expense, income taxes and amortization of other
acquired intangible assets. Management also uses pre-tax operating margin to
assess Aetna`s performance, including performance versus competitors.

(6) Includes an allowance on reinsurance recoverable and litigation-related
insurance proceeds as described in footnote (1) above.

(7) Our Corporate Financing segment is not a business segment. It is added to
our business segments to reconcile to our consolidated results. The Corporate
Financing segment includes interest expense on our outstanding debt and,
beginning in 2009, the financing components of our pension and other
postretirement benefit plan expenses (referred to herein as "pension expense")
(the service cost (or operating component) of this expense is allocated to our
business segments). The service cost component allocated to our business
segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $10.7
million ($6.9 million after tax) and $32.0 million ($20.7 million after tax),
respectively, and $9.5 million ($6.2 million after tax) and $28.3 million ($18.4
million after tax) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008,
respectively. Prior periods have been reclassified to reflect this change.

(8) Revenue and operating expense information is presented before income taxes.
Operating earnings information is presented net of income taxes.

(9) Represents members in consumer-directed health plans included in Aetna`s
Commercial medical membership.

(10) Represents members in products that allow these members access to Aetna`s
dental provider network for a nominal fee.

(11) Represents members who purchased medications through Aetna Rx Home
Delivery®, our mail order pharmacy, during the quarterly period and are included
in pharmacy membership above.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT; ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- -- Certain information in this
press release is forward-looking, including our projections as to operating
earnings per share and weighted average diluted shares. Forward-looking
information is based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections, and
is subject to significant uncertainties and other factors, many of which are
beyond Aetna`s control. Important risk factors could cause actual future results
and other future events to differ materially from those currently estimated by
management, including unanticipated increases in medical costs (including
increased intensity or medical utilization as a result of the H1N1 flu,
increased COBRA participation rates or otherwise; changes in membership mix to
higher cost or lower-premium products or membership-adverse selection; changes
in medical cost estimates due to the necessary extensive judgment that is used
in the medical cost estimation process, the considerable variability inherent in
such estimates, and the sensitivity of such estimates to changes in medical
claims payment patterns and changes in medical cost trends; increases resulting
from unfavorable changes in contracting or re-contracting with providers; and
increased pharmacy costs); adverse and less predictable economic conditions in
the U.S. and abroad (including unanticipated levels of or rate of increase in
the unemployment rate) which can significantly and adversely affect Aetna`s
business and profitability; failure to achieve desired rate increases and/or
profitable membership growth due to the slowing economy and/or significant
competition, especially in key geographic markets where membership is
concentrated; continued volatility and further deterioration of the U.S. and
global capital markets, including fluctuations in interest rates, fixed income
and equity prices and the value of financial assets, along with the general
deterioration in the commercial paper, capital and credit markets, which can
adversely impact the value of Aetna`s investment portfolio, Aetna`s
profitability by reducing net investment income and/or Aetna`s financial
position by causing us to realize additional impairments on our investments;
adverse pricing or funding actions by federal or state government payors;
adverse changes in federal or state government policies or regulation (including
legislative proposals that would affect our business model and/or limit our
ability to price for the risk we assume and/or reflect reasonable costs or
profits in our pricing and other proposals, such as initiatives to mandate
minimum medical benefit ratios or eliminate or reduce ERISA pre-emption of state
laws, that would increase potential litigation exposure or mandate coverage of
certain health benefits); and the ability to improve relations with providers
while taking actions to reduce medical costs and/or expand the services we
offer. Other important risk factors include, but are not limited to: adverse
changes in size, product mix or medical cost experience of membership; increases
in medical costs or Group Insurance claims resulting from any epidemics, acts of
terrorism or other extreme events; the ability to reduce administrative expenses
while maintaining targeted levels of service and operating performance; the
ability to successfully integrate our businesses (including acquired businesses)
and implement multiple strategic and operational initiatives simultaneously; our
ability to integrate, simplify, and enhance our existing information technology
systems and platforms to keep pace with changing customer and regulatory needs;
the outcome of various litigation and regulatory matters, including litigation
concerning, and ongoing reviews by various regulatory authorities of, certain of
our payment practices with respect to out-of-network providers; and reputational
issues arising from data security breaches or other means. For more discussion
of important risk factors that may materially affect Aetna, please see the risk
factors contained in Aetna's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), Aetna`s 2009 Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and Aetna`s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 (Aetna`s "Third Quarter
10-Q"), when filed with the SEC. You also should read Aetna`s Third Quarter
10-Q, when filed with the SEC, for a discussion of Aetna`s historical results of
operations and financial condition.

Aetna
Media Contact:
Fred Laberge, 860-273-4788
labergear@aetna.com
or
Investor Contact:
Kim A. Keck, 860-273-1327
keckka@aetna.com

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