Aetna Announces Wellness Program Enhancements

According to the announcement, i n late October 2006, Aetna will add to its portfolio of programs a new Weight Management Discount Program. The new program includes for eligible members discounts on the Jenny Craig weight loss program and products, including a free 30-day trial membership; discounts on 6-month and 1-year programs; access to personalized, one-on-one weight loss consultation services; menu planning and motivational materials.

Once the new program becomes available, members can print a coupon from the Aetna member Web site and bring their member ID card to a Jenny Craig centre or call the Jenny Direct at-home program to enroll, the announcement said.

The four categories of Aetna’s 2007 Wellness offerings, and new enhancements, include:

• Wellness Outreach – which includes the Aetna Healthy Body, Healthy Weight Program for weight management, a new smoking cessation program, Wellness Counseling and the Informed Health Line, a 24-hour nurse information line.
• Online Self Help Tools – which includes Simple Steps To A Healthier Life, Aetna InteliHealth, the Healthwise Knowledgebase and Women’s Health Online.
• Workplace Programs & mailings – which includes onsite health screenings offered at the workplace (available in October 2006); health education workshops and health awareness campaigns; employee mailings focused on preventive care guidelines and ways to communicate better with doctors and other health care professionals; expanded workplace educational CD-ROM offering that focuses on women’s, men’s and children’s health; and prepackaged electronic communications that plan sponsors can send to employees to address general health and wellness topics (available in English and Spanish).
• Benefits, Discounts and Rewards – which includes expanded healthy lifestyle incentives, such as discounts and savings on health, wellness and weight loss products and services. This includes discounts to e-Diets, and to the new Weight Management Discount Program through Jenny Craig, as well as a Fitness Program that offers discounts on select fitness club memberships and home exercise equipment through GlobalFit.

More information can be found at www.aetna.com .