Aetna Launches New Managed Long-Term Care Program in Five New York Counties

<0> AetnaSusan Millerick, 860-673-0683 </0>

Aetna Better Health of New York today announced its participation in New York State’s managed long-term care (MLTC) program. Aetna Better Health of New York, an Aetna Medicaid company (NYSE: ), will serve people eligible for the state program in three New York City boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens—as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island.

“We’re excited to be included in the state’s plans to implement this new model of care to enhance the health and quality of life for thousands of New Yorkers,” said Nasry Michelen, chief executive officer of Aetna Better Health of New York. “We have an excellent track record of improving the quality of care and member satisfaction while serving as good stewards of taxpayer dollars in the states Aetna’s Medicaid plans serve. We look forward to earning the confidence of our members, our care-giver providers and our state partners as we support our members’ goals to remain independent and healthy.”

Aetna Better Health, with offices at 55 W. 125 Street in Harlem, is a new MLTC plan in New York, but brings more than 20 years of experience nationally managing care for people who need long-term care services. The goal of MLTC is to help members stay in their homes or home community as long as possible. The programs provide members with care coordination and support needed to accomplish the day-to-day activities that they may no longer be able to perform without help.

Aetna Better Health of New York will manage services that include in-home personal care, care management, adult day care, home-delivered meals and medical supplies, non-emergency transportation, dental, social and environmental support and vision services.

Residents of New York County (Manhattan), Queens County, Kings County (Brooklyn), Nassau and Suffolk counties who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare (dual-eligible) and need more than 120 days of in-home care are welcome to enroll in the Aetna Better Health of New York plan. Information about enrollment is available by phoning toll-free, 1-855-456-9126.

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.3 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services and health information technology services. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see .