Aetna Global Benefits Introduces Aetna HealthFund Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan

Hartford, CT - Aetna Global Benefits (AGB), announced recently that it will begin offering the Aetna HealthFund Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) plan to employers with workers on international assignments. This new plan is the expansion of the Aetna HealthFund family of plans, which includes consumer-directed products and services for employers of all sizes.

"We are excited to be the first in the industry to offer an international health reimbursement arrangement," said Martha Temple, vice president, head of Aetna Global Benefits. "This product combines Aetna's industry leading capabilities in consumer-directed plans with AGB's continued effort to provide high-quality, concierge-level services to our members around the world."

Aetna HealthFund Features

The Aetna HealthFund HRA, which includes elements of traditional health coverage, has four components – the fund, the deductible, the underlying PPO or point-of-service health plan, and a broad suite of tools and information that support members in their new role as health care consumers. The fund that employees receive is automatically used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses incurred anywhere in the world. Any money remaining in the fund at the end of the year is rolled over to the following year as long as the member remains in the plan. In addition, preventive care is fully-covered and not subject to the deductible, so employees do not have to use their fund for these expenses.

If consumers use their entire HRA, they will then have to meet their specific plan deductible. However, when expenses are paid using the HRA, the deductible is automatically reduced by the same amount, meaning that consumers will pay less to reach their deductible. After the fund is depleted and the deductible is met, any additional expenses are covered according to the specific plan coverage level. There is also an out-of-pocket maximum that caps the amount a health plan member is required to pay outside of his or her benefits plan for covered services.

Member-Support Tools

To engage these consumers, AGB has tools and information specifically created for globally mobile employees, including:

• An International Service Center that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is staffed by multicultural/multilingual employees.
• Online profiles of more than 2,800 English-speaking, Western-trained doctors outside the United States, as well as CityHealth profiles of more than 635 cities in 105 countries. These profiles contain emergency phone numbers and other important local contact information.
• A web-based glossary of more than 700 common medical terms and phrases, available in 10 different languages.
• 716 direct pay facilities in 107 countries which enables a member to receive qualifying care without incurring upfront costs.

"Employees on international assignment have a wide range of issues, such as dealing with a new culture and language, learning how to use a foreign health care system, being separated from their family, and of course, work-related assignments and challenges," Temple said. "Because of these unique circumstances, we feel it is important to offer them tools and services suited to their distinct needs."

When accessing care in the U.S., Aetna also offers best-in-class online services, including the secure, easy-to-use Aetna Navigator website. On this site, members can research the status of their claims; find participating doctors or hospitals with the DocFind directory; and research the cost and quality of care with the Hospital Comparison and Estimate the Cost of Care tools. In addition, Aetna members will also be able to access the recently launched Health History Report (HHR), which will provide members with online access to personal information to help them make informed decisions about their health care.

"If we want individuals to take a more active role in their health care, it's imperative that we give them the opportunity to review their personal health benefits information and also give them access to simple, relevant health-related information," Temple added. "These resources will allow them to make informed, educated decisions about their health care, no matter where they are in the world."

SOURCE: Aetna Global Benefits (AGB)