Aetna Recognized For LGBT Equality For Tenth Year In A Row

HARTFORD, Conn., February 27, 2012 — The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) named Aetna (NYSE: AET) to its “2012 Best Places to Work” list for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees.

According to HRC, only 190 of the 850 businesses evaluated achieved a perfect score in the 2012 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) rating. Aetna was among them. The CEI rates companies on 40 specific policies and practices related to the LGBT community, 32 of which are new or more demanding this year.  As a result of this change in criteria, the number of companies achieving a perfect score was reduced by almost 50 percent.

“HRC released its first Corporate Equality Index a decade ago and Aetna is proud to have achieved a perfect CEI rating every year,” said Mark T. Bertolini, Aetna Chairman and CEO.

Aetna has long been committed to its LGBT employees and the greater LGBT community. In the mid-1990s, Aetna implemented changes to many policies affecting domestic partners.  In early 2009, Aetna was the first major health benefits company to add gender reassignment surgery as a benefit for its employees and any contracted companies choosing to add it to their benefits package.  According to HRC, only 33 percent of employers rated in the CEI offer transgender-inclusive health care coverage.

Aetna’s LGBT employee resource group (ERG) has chapters across the U.S., including a virtual chapter that engages employees regardless of their work location.  The ERG helps to deliver on Aetna’s business and diversity strategies, and provides resources to the corporation and networking support and professional development to its members.

In addition, Aetna is a founding corporate partner of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.  Aetna Chairman and CEO Mark T. Bertolini is also a board member of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce – the board’s first straight ally.  Aetna also works closely with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, a national organization committed to ending employment discrimination for LGBT employees.

In 2011 Aetna and the Aetna Foundation awarded more than $160,000 in grants and sponsorships to nonprofits seeking to advance LGBT-specific programs and initiatives. 

About HRC
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.  By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality.

About the Aetna Foundation
The Aetna Foundation, Inc. is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed $394 million in grants and sponsorships, including $15.6 million in 2010.  As a national health foundation, we promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone.  This work is enhanced by the time and commitment of Aetna employees, who have volunteered more than 2.3 million hours since 2003.  Our current giving is focused on addressing the rising rate of adult and childhood obesity in the U.S.; promoting racial and ethnic equity in health and health care; and advancing integrated health care. For more information, visit www.AetnaFoundation.org.

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.4 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, medical management capabilities, health care management services for Medicaid plans and health information exchange 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 www.aetna.com.