HAYWARD, Calif., Jan. 17, 2013 -- Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today that it has signed a new contract with St. Rose Hospital. Aetna members who receive care at St Rose will be covered at the in-network level of benefits. The new contract, which takes effect on Feb. 5, returns St. Rose to the Aetna network for the first time since February 2012.

"This agreement is good news for our members," said John Pickett, Aetna's network head for Northern California. "We are happy that our members will again be able to receive care from a hospital that has been committed to serving the people of Haywood for the last 50 years."

"We are pleased to renew our relationship with Aetna," said Lex Reddy, president and CEO of St. Rose Hospital. "We look forward to once again providing excellent care and services that Aetna members have come to expect from our hospital."

Aetna provides health benefits to more than 300,000 members in Northern California.  Those members have access to a contracted network of 100 hospitals and more than 14,000 primary care doctors and specialists.

About St. Rose Hospital

St. Rose Hospital, an independent community hospital located in Hayward, has been an integral part of the local community for 50 years.  The hospital, accredited by the Joint Commission, has built a strong reputation for outstanding cardiology, emergency, diagnostics and women's services. Through innovation and strategic partnerships, St. Rose Hospital has helped create a healthier community.

As one of Hayward's largest employers, St. Rose Hospital also plays a vital economic role in the community, providing over 1,000 jobs and an outstanding quality of life for its employees. Over 300 highly skilled physicians practice at St. Rose Hospital, along with an experienced staff to provide high quality, yet cost-effective health care to the community, regardless of income or insurance status. www.strosehospital.org.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.3 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 and health information 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.www.aetna.com.

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