HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an effort to assist life insurance members who are seriously, but not terminally ill, Aetna (NYSE:AET - News) now allows their Accelerated Death Benefit (ADB) to become effective upon diagnosis of a specific medical condition. Before this change, the ADB, which gives policy holders access to a percentage of their life insurance funding while they are living, became effective only after a doctor determined a member had 24 months or less to live.

The enhancement is part of Aetna's commitment to helping members take advantage of their policies at different life stages. Expanding access to the ADB can assist members with medical costs they incur as a result of their illness and apply to any of the following medical conditions*:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease);
• End stage heart, kidney, liver and/or pancreatic organ failure and the person is not a transplant candidate;
• A medical condition requiring artificial life support, without which the person would die;
• A permanent neurological deficit resulting from a cerebral vascular accident (stroke) or a traumatic brain injury, which are both expected to result in life-long confinement in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

"We want policy holders to be able to take advantage of benefits and access services while they're living," said Dana Benbow, Head of Life Products and Services for Aetna. "Members with a serious illness are very often burdened with growing medical bills, so we believe that broadening access to the Accelerated Death Benefit is a way to provide financial assistance to them and their families."

Eligibility is based on a statement from a member's physician that he or she is suffering from any of these specific medical conditions. All members with life insurance qualify for ADB, and, in most cases, can receive 75 percent of their total life insurance policy.

About Aetna Group Insurance

Aetna Group Insurance is a leading provider of group life, disability and leave management services benefits for over 15.1 million group insurance members. Aetna Group Insurance provides benefits through employers and associations nationwide, with products and services targeted specifically to small, midsized and large multisite national plan sponsors. With strength in both health benefits and group insurance coverage, Aetna is uniquely qualified to help employers address issues of employee productivity, chronic illness, aging, and financial security. All group insurance products are underwritten or administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company. http://www.aetna.com/groupinsurance/producers.htm

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 34.9 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, 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

* May not be available in all states. Specific medical conditions may vary from state to state.

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Source: Aetna

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