Aetna and HR Policy Association Launch Retiree Health Access Program

By Carolyn J Dawson
TMCnet Contributor

Aetna, a provider of diversified healthcare benefits, recently announced a collaboration with the HR Policy Association to launch a next-generation Retiree Health Access (RHA) program. The RHA provides program-wide tools that will enable consumers to choose the best coverage to meet their requirements.

Aetna is a provider of diversified healthcare benefits and the HR Policy Association is an NPO representing HR officers of major employers. In addition, Aetna has formed a strategic partnerships with consumer technology companies’ eHealth, an online enrollment platform for individual health insurance and Benefitfocus, a cloud-based benefits software solutions provider.

Mark Bertolini, chairman and CEO of Aetna said, “We are pleased to make available to RHA the strong product portfolio we have built to provide consumers with a better experience and empower them to improve their health regardless of which carrier they choose. Our portfolio includes the health management and information technology solutions offered by Healthagen, an Aetna company, and our broad array of consumer tools.”

Started in 2006, the RHA Coalition provided innovative features such as guaranteed access to comprehensive, fully insured coverage options for both pre- and post-65 retirees and their dependents without minimum enrollment or employer contribution requirements. The next-generation RHA provides greater flexibility; improved customer experience; consumer-centric technology, tools and resources; greater access to cost and quality information; on-going support for retirees and their family irrespective of which carrier or coverage option they choose and more choices for the pre- and post-65 group, all on a single integrated platform with worldwide access.

Larry E. Steward, chairman of the RHA Coalition said, “No other single retiree exchange solution offers this degree of flexibility, enabling employers to tailor a solution based on their unique needs while still relieving themselves of the insurance risk and administrative burden associated with more traditional employer sponsored retiree plans.”

Aetna has implemented innovative tools and programs into the RHA including iTriage; CarePass and InvolveCare. iTriage provides access to medical symptoms, finding the right medical care and make appointments from a mobile. CarePass is a consumer website and mobile solution and enables access to some of the best-in-class health and wellness mobile apps. InvolveCare aids family members by coordinating care, pickups to doctor appointments and meals, among others during recovery or a chronic illness.