Aetna's Passport to Healthcare(R) Program Expected to Save the International Assistance Group $2 Million

Aetna (NYSE:AET) and International Assistance Group today
announced a formal business alliance utilizing Aetna's Passport To
Healthcare(R) Program, giving International Assistance Group member
companies access to U.S.-based health care providers--both medical
facilities and individual doctors-- and aiding them in administration
of claim payment and provider reimbursement. The agreement is expected
to result in significant savings for International Assistance Group,
whose customers and their global employees and members* from foreign
countries often seek care in the United States.

"International Assistance Group is a global network of companies
with customers who have employees and members in geographically
diverse locations with varied access to quality health care," said
International Assistance Group Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Leroy.
"This agreement provides our customers with access to one of the
largest and most comprehensive provider networks in the United States,
which means both quality and cost savings and also facilitates claim
payment and provider reimbursement in the complex U.S. health care
environment."

The foreign market for U.S. health care services is significant.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that foreign patients spent
almost $2 billion on health care services in the United States in
2002. Passport to Healthcare(R) provides a solution for international
companies who have significant health care expenditures and issues
with claims payment and provider reimbursement in the United States.

Through this program, members have access to the financial and
administrative benefits of Aetna's Passport to Healthcare(R) program
when seeking medical treatment in the United States, by utilizing
Aetna's PPO network as well as Aetna Global Benefits' International
Service Center's plan administration. The most common medical
treatments sought are for complex elective care or emergency
treatment.

"International Assistance Group was looking for a better solution
to meet the needs of their customers, employees and members and
enhance their value proposition in the international assistance
marketplace," said Martha Temple, vice president, Aetna Global
Benefits. "With our large network, award-winning DocFind(R) tool, ease
of administration, 24/7 multi-lingual service offering and the
International Health Advisory Team, we are confident this is the right
program for them."

About The International Assistance Group

*The International Assistance Group is a global network of
independent assistance companies specializing in the provision of
worldwide medical and travel assistance to business and leisure
travelers, expatriate workers and multinational companies.
International Assistance Group's 30 member companies support more than
127 million individuals worldwide. The International Assistance Group
designs both pan-European and world-wide assistance programs, and with
its size and market influence can negotiate terms with private medical
structures, charter airlines, garages, couriers and other suppliers
for its member companies and their global employees and members.

About Aetna Global Benefits

Aetna Global Benefits (AGB) is the international health and group
business of Aetna Inc. Established in 1978, AGB insures 200,000
members worldwide and provides international benefits solutions to
multinational corporations, nonprofit organizations, international
schools and diplomatic and government entities. AGB's International
Health Advisory Team provides members with a single point of contact
24/7 to ensure consistency in care; to supervise medical evacuations
and other emergency assistance; and to provide second opinions for
complex cases, medical case management and also pre-assignment
planning that could include anything from locating a disease
management specialist to assisting with the procurement of medical
devices or prescription medication. Passport to Healthcare(R) is an
AGB business unit established in 1999.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care
benefits companies, serving approximately 29.8 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. Our customers
include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and
hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans.
www.aetna.com.