HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 2006--As part of the company's ongoing commitment to promoting quality improvement, Aetna (NYSE:AET) today announced that it will recognize the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) in its pay-for-performance program for primary care physicians in the Delaware Valley.

"By promoting the commitment to quality improvement, professionalism and lifelong learning that maintaining board certification embodies, Aetna continues to work with the medical community to advance evidence-based medicine and adherence to care guidelines established by physicians," said Troyen Brennan, MD, MPH, Aetna's chief medical officer. "In addition, recognizing ABIM's Maintenance of Certification in our pay-for-performance program helps simplify processes for physicians." Dr. Brennan also serves as a trustee of the ABIM Foundation and is a former chairman of ABIM's board of directors.

Aetna's recognition of maintenance of certification builds on the company's goal to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of care by working with physicians to help each member to achieve optimal health. It also complements the company's efforts with Bridges to Excellence(TM). Aetna is exploring ways to incorporate ABIM certification modules in Aetna's pay-for-performance programs in other areas of the country, Aetna's national pay-for-performance framework of measures, and the company's initiatives to support quality improvement and transparency.

As part of ABIM's MOC program, physicians complete Practice Improvement Modules (PIMs), web-based tools that guide physicians through a quality improvement process using data collected from their own clinical practice. The PIM helps physicians assess key elements of their practice that affect health outcomes. After comparing their own practice patterns against national guidelines, physicians use the PIM to establish a custom quality improvement plan.

Beginning this fall, Aetna will accept completion of ABIM's Diabetes PIM in lieu of the diabetes chart review currently required for primary care internists in the company's Delaware Valley pay-for-performance program. Detailed information will be sent to eligible participating physicians in the region.

"We see this as a great opportunity for physicians to make use of a respected practice improvement tool that addresses the identical clinical care we measure as part of our pay-for-performance program," said Don Liss, MD, Aetna's regional medical director in the Delaware Valley.

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 28.3 million unique members 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, long-term care 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

Contacts
Aetna
Media Contacts:
Karin Rush-Monroe, 215-775-2132
RushMonroeK@aetna.com
or
Walt Cherniak, 410-691-1405
CherniakJrW@aetna.com

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© Business Wire 2006