Orlando Harmon
Aetna is a health insurance company that offers a range of insurance products, including health, life, dental, and vision insurance for individuals and employer groups. Founded in 1853 (or 1873 according to another source) and headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, Aetna is one of the oldest and leading healthcare insurance providers in the United States. The company offers various plans, such as HMO, POS, PPO, EPO, and high-deductible health plans, and provides access to a large network of doctors, specialists, and hospitals. Aetna has faced some controversies, including lawsuits and investigations, but remains a significant player in the health insurance industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company Type | Health and life insurance provider |
| Company Name(s) | Aetna, Aetna Insurance Company, Aetna CVS Health, Aetna Inc. |
| Company Headquarters | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Year Founded | 1853 or 1873 |
| Company Size | Third-largest provider of health insurance and services in the US |
| Number of States Sold In | 17 |
| Types of Insurance | Health, dental, vision, Medicare, life insurance |
| Types of Plans | HMO, POS, PPO, EPO, high-deductible health plans with HSA, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplements |
| Coverage | Hospitalization, office visits, immunizations, preventive care services, out-of-network providers, worldwide coverage for hospitalization, surgical, medical, vision, and prescription drug expenses |
| Additional Services | Mobile app (Attain by Aetna), member website, access to doctors, forms, medicines, costs, ID card, claims, and coverage information |
| Historical Notes | Issued life insurance policies on slaves in the 1850s, publicly apologized in 2000, sued by Deadria Farmer-Paellmann in 2002 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Aetna CVS Health: ACA Health Insurance Plans & Coverage
Aetna CVS Health offers a range of Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plans for individuals and families. These plans aim to provide quality coverage and convenient care options at affordable prices.
Aetna's ACA plans offer access to a network of trusted doctors, specialists, and hospitals, with some plans featuring $0 PCP visits, $0 preventive care, and $0 MinuteClinic visits. Additionally, members can take advantage of a $3 copay for over 200 generic drugs and a $25 allowance every three months for CVS Health brand wellness products. Select plans also include adult dental and vision coverage.
Aetna CVS Health provides tools and support to help members choose and use their plans effectively, such as the Aetna Health app, a dedicated helpline, and a personal concierge. Members can access preventive and mental health screenings, as well as extra benefits like rides to job interviews and discounted gym memberships.
The availability of specific plans and benefits may vary by state, and members are encouraged to refer to the plan documents for a comprehensive understanding of the coverage provided.
To explore the available ACA individual and family plans, individuals can visit the Health Insurance Marketplace or state-specific platforms, such as Nevada Health Link, Maryland Health Connection, or Virginia's Insurance Marketplace. These platforms allow individuals to sign up and determine their eligibility for premium and plan savings.
American National Life Insurance: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Aetna's history of insuring slaves
Aetna is an American managed healthcare company that offers health insurance, including dental, vision, and other plans. The company's history goes back to the 1850s, when it issued life insurance policies on African-American slaves, with their owners as beneficiaries.
During the 1850s, The Aetna Insurance Company issued life insurance policies on an undetermined number of slaves, with their owners listed as beneficiaries. In 2000, Deadria Farmer-Paellmann, head of the non-profit Restitution Study Group of Hoboken, New Jersey, brought attention to this history by disclosing that, from approximately 1853 to 1860, Aetna had issued these policies. The same year, Aetna acknowledged the existence of concrete evidence and issued a public apology.
In 2002, Farmer-Paellmann filed a lawsuit against Aetna and two other companies in federal court, seeking reparations for the descendants of slaves. The lawsuit argued that these companies were "unjustly enriched" by "a system that enslaved, tortured, starved and exploited human beings." It highlighted the ongoing impact of slavery and institutionalized racism on African-Americans in areas such as income, education, health, and life expectancy.
In response to the revelations, Aetna established a team of lawyers, paralegals, and business people to coordinate its compliance with relevant regulations. They conducted a thorough review of potentially relevant practices and documents within the company and its former subsidiaries. Despite these efforts, Aetna reported that it was unable to identify additional records relating to slavery-era insurance policies, as the administrative database tracking life insurance policies did not contain any policies from that era.
In 2006, Farmer-Paellmann announced a nationwide boycott of Aetna over the issue of reparations, and the company responded by highlighting its commitment to diversity and investments in initiatives benefiting the African-American community.
Funding Sources of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Aetna lawsuits
Aetna Inc. is one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States. As with any large company, Aetna has been involved in several lawsuits, some of which are ongoing.
United States Files False Claims Act Complaint
In May 2025, the United States filed a complaint under the False Claims Act (FCA) against three of the country's largest health insurance companies, including Aetna, alleging unlawful kickbacks and discrimination against disabled Americans. The United States alleged that from 2016 through at least 2021, Aetna and the other defendants paid illegal kickbacks to insurance brokers in exchange for enrolments into their Medicare Advantage plans. Additionally, it is claimed that Aetna conspired with broker defendants to discriminate against disabled Medicare beneficiaries by threatening to withhold kickbacks, resulting in fewer enrolments for disabled beneficiaries.
Class Action Lawsuit Over Cancer Treatment Denials
In June 2025, Aetna agreed to pay $3.4 million to settle a class-action lawsuit claiming the company wrongly denied claims for proton beam cancer radiation treatment. The plaintiff, Mark Lemmerman, alleged that Aetna mischaracterized this treatment as experimental to deny claims, violating federal benefits law. As part of the settlement, Lemmerman will receive $15,000, and each of the 71 proposed class members will be paid at least $12,000, with the potential for the total bill for Aetna to reach $5.1 million.
Aetna's "Fraud Scheme" Lawsuit
In December 2024, Aetna and its affiliates filed a lawsuit against Radiology Partners, Inc., a private-equity-backed radiology group, alleging a multiphase healthcare fraud scheme that defrauded the insurer and its plan sponsors of tens of millions of dollars through fraudulent medical claims. According to Aetna, Radiology Partners began billing for services performed by its affiliated Florida practices under Mori, Bean and Brooks, Inc. (MBB)'s Aetna contract, which had the most favourable reimbursement rates. After Aetna terminated MBB's in-network contract due to increased claim volume, Radiology Partners continued to bill through MBB on an out-of-network basis, subject to the No Surprises Act (NSA). The suit also alleges that Radiology Partners provided false certifications and violated the NSA by initiating arbitrations on behalf of MBB for services rendered by non-MBB providers.
Class-Action Lawsuit Over Prepaid Debit Cards
In July 2025, Aetna and its parent company, CVS Health, were sued in a consumer class-action lawsuit on behalf of healthcare providers. The lawsuit alleges that Aetna forced healthcare providers to accept payments via prepaid debit cards that charge merchant fees ranging from 3.5%-4.5%, unfairly shifting operational costs to the providers. Additionally, Aetna allegedly denied requests for alternative payment methods.
Other Lawsuits
Aetna has also been involved in other legal actions, including an antitrust lawsuit over alleged price-fixing and a lawsuit against 23 drugmakers for allegedly conspiring to fix the prices of generic medications.
Assigning Life Insurance: Bank Benefits and Procedures
You may want to see also
Aetna member website
Aetna is a health insurance company that offers a range of insurance plans, including health, dental, and vision insurance for individuals, families, and employers. They also provide Medicare and Medicaid plans, as well as life insurance policies.
The Aetna member website is a secure online platform that offers a range of tools and resources to help members understand and manage their insurance benefits. Members can log in to their accounts to access information about their specific insurance plan, including details of covered services and exclusions.
The website allows members to search for in-network healthcare providers, hospitals, and specialists, and provides tools to help locate quality care that is convenient for the member. Members can also use the website to manage their prescriptions, sign up for mail delivery, and view drug pricing and savings options.
Additionally, the Aetna member website enables members to handle claims, get quotes, and access various forms and reports. Members can also use the website to print a new ID card if needed.
Aetna also offers a mobile app, the Aetna Health app, which provides similar functionality and allows members to access their insurance information and manage their benefits on the go. The app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
Annuities and Whole Life Insurance: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Aetna's mobile app
Aetna is a health insurance company that offers dental, vision, and other plans to meet the needs of individuals and families, employers, healthcare providers, and insurance agents/brokers.
The Aetna Health app is a convenient and simple way to help users take charge of their health and wellness. It is designed to help users make the most of their plans and manage their health. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play. Here are some key features and functionalities of the Aetna Health app:
Navigating Benefits and Managing Costs
The app allows users to easily navigate their benefits and manage their costs. Users can access their ID card, track spending, and view their plan summary and coverage information. They can also connect with in-network doctors, facilities, and other providers to find quality care.
Intelligent Search and Personalization
The Aetna Health app features intelligent search and navigation, enabling users to quickly connect with key health plan features. It offers a personalized list of providers based on individual preferences and health needs through Aetna Smart Compare®. The app also includes a smart chat icon on the home screen, providing immediate assistance when needed.
Dark Mode Interface
Aetna Health app now supports dark mode, providing a low-light interface that improves accessibility and offers a comfortable viewing experience for users who prefer a dark display.
Bug Fixes and Enhancements
Aetna has released updates that include bug fixes and incremental enhancements to improve the overall functionality and user experience of the app.
The Aetna Health app empowers users to take charge of their health and benefits, providing 24/7 access to essential information and tools that simplify the process of managing their wellness.
Insurance Premiums: Over 25 and Still Paying More
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Aetna is a health insurance company that offers a range of individual and employer health insurance products. They also offer standalone dental, vision, and Medicare plans.
Aetna was founded in 1853 (or 1873 according to another source) and is one of the oldest insurance companies in the US. It is currently headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, and was acquired by CVS Health Corp. in 2018.
Aetna offers a variety of plans including HMO, POS, PPO, EPO, and high-deductible health plans with HSA. They also have a large provider network and cover out-of-network providers at a lower amount.
Aetna plans typically cover hospitalization, office visits, immunizations, and other types of preventive care services. They also offer access to HSA plans and provide worldwide coverage for medical emergencies.
You can visit the Aetna website or call 1-800-US-AETNA (1-800-872-3862) to learn more about their products and receive a quote.
