Aetna has launched an electronic contracting process allowing medical professionals to sign contracts and send them via email. This paperless process reduces contract processing time from 3 weeks to 1 day on average and saves on paper and postage costs. The electronic signature service meets legal and security requirements and provides an audit trail for contract management. Over 74% of Aetna's transactions with providers are now electronic as it invests in technology to help reduce administrative burdens and environmental impact.

1. Media Contact:
Tammy Arnold
713/721-7891
Arnoldtd@aetna.com
News Release
AETNA INTRODUCES PAPERLESS CONTRACTING
FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
-- Streamlined and green, paperless contracting saves time and money --
HARTFORD, Conn., March 2, 2010 -- Aetna (AET) has launched an electronic
contracting process for physicians, hospitals and other health care facilities so that
agreements can be signed and sent via e-mail. Aetna and health care professionals
can complete contracts faster and more reliably and reduce the expenses of faxing or mailing, while
reducing their carbon footprint.
"By implementing the industry’s first electronic contracting solution, we expect to decrease contract
processing time from three weeks to one day on average. Aetna and participating physicians, hospitals
and other health care facilities will also have significant savings in paper and postage," says Paul
Marchetti, head of Aetna’s National Networks and Contracting Services. “We continue to make it easier
for health care professionals to do business with us, and we are helping create a healthier
environment.”
Using EchoSign™ eSignature solution, Aetna’s paperless contracting
process meets compliance, legal and security requirements. The
electronic signature service provides a convenient, online audit trail for all contract processes and real-
time visibility into the contract management process. It provides protection for both the sender and the
signer during the signing process, including key authentication and privacy, fraud protection, and
consumer disclosure. It is legally tested and trusted.
Electronic contracting is the newest among Aetna’s suite of electronic tools and capabilities designed to
help health care professionals reduce administrative burdens and save money. Currently,
approximately 74 percent of Aetna’s total transactions with health care providers are electronic. Aetna

2. continues to invest in e-technology and introduce new service offerings that directly help physicians
succeed – and limit environmental impact.
 To learn more about EchoSign and their eSignature solution, visit www.EchoSign.com.
 For more information about Aetna’s electronic solutions for providers, visit
https://www.aetna.com/provider/.
 And for more information about Aetna’s commitment to reduce consumption of energy and other
resources, visit Green Initiatives on Aetna.com.
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately
36.1 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 and health care management services for
Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and
hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and
expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.
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