CINCINNATI, OH (June 19, 2014) - Aetna (NYSE: AET) and Mercy Health today announced an agreement that creates Aetna's first commercial accountable care collaboration in the Cincinnati area. Together, Aetna and Mercy Health will introduce Aetna Whole HealthSM, a new commercial health care product that provides Aetna members in the new collaboration with highly coordinated care among approximately 350 primary care physicians, 2,400 specialists and eight hospitals in the Aetna Whole Health - Mercy Health network.

Aetna Whole Health - Mercy Health plans are designed to give businesses in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties better health care options for their employees. The plans feature a new model of health care delivery designed to offer:

  • More coordinated, team-based care among doctors and other care providers;
  • Enhanced patient experience through best-in-class care management programs and technology that delivers information to all providers;
  • Lower overall out-of-pocket costs for members who see providers that are part of the Mercy Health network; and
  • Better health care outcomes.

Aetna Whole Health will be available to self-insured businesses beginning July 1 for an effective date of September 1 and fully insured businesses beginning August 1 for an effective date of October 1.

"This agreement is part of our transformation to help keep patients healthier and also better manage their health care costs," said Yousuf J. Ahmad, market president and CEO of Mercy Health. "Through this innovative relationship with Aetna, we are more successful when we help patients to be well. The Aetna plan encourages excellent primary care, preventive screenings and better care for chronic conditions than more traditional health plans. The outcome is better health for our patients, which is what we strive for."

Accountable care collaborations are alliances of physicians, hospitals and other providers that coordinate care for their patients. In this patient-centric model, providers assume responsibility for improving the quality of patient care and lowering costs through better coordination and preventive care.

"This agreement is the perfect antidote to what's been plaguing the industry for years," said Nitin Bhargava,president of Aetna's Ohio operations. "The people of Cincinnati will be able to access quality health care that delivers an exceptional experience at a lower cost. Aetna's partnership with Mercy Health will help our Cincinnati members build healthier, more productive lives."

New payment agreement rewards improvements in quality and cost of care

The agreement rewards Mercy Health's physicians for meeting quality and efficiency measures, including:

  • The percentage of members who get recommended preventive care and screenings;
  • Better management of patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart failure; and
  • Decreasing avoidable emergency room visits and hospital readmissions through the proactive management of care teams.

Aetna is working with health care organizations across the country to develop products and services that support value-driven, patient-centered care. Aetna's solutions help all types of patients, regardless of payer. Information about Accountable Care Solutions from Aetna is available at www.aetnaacs.com.

About Mercy Health

Mercy Health makes advanced, compassionate, quality healthcare easy to help you be well in mind, body and spirit. Mercy Health has been serving Greater Cincinnati for more than 160 years. Mercy Health provides an integrated network of leading physicians, compassionate caregivers, comprehensive services and exceptional care at more than 140 locations across the region. The Mercy Health network of care includes five award-winning hospitals, senior living communities, primary care and specialty physician practices, outpatient centers, social service agencies, fitness centers and a variety of outreach programs. Mercy Health hospitals have earned national Truven Health Analytics' 100 Top Hospitals honors more times than all other Cincinnati hospitals combined, placing them among the best hospitals in the nation. Truven has also named Mercy Health as one of the nation's Top 15 health systems two years in a row. Mercy Health is the only health system in Cincinnati to earn this honor. Mercy Health is part of Catholic Health Partners - the largest health system in Ohio and fourth largest employer. To learn more visit, e-mercy.com and engage in the conversation via Mercy Health's social media channels (@mercy_health on Twitter and Mercy Health on Facebook).

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 44 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, workers' compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna's 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 www.aetna.com and the 2014 Aetna story about how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world.

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