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1994.02.23 : Aetna Assumes Medicare Part B Claims Processing in Washington State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     Contact:  Anne Verano
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1994                            (202) 690-6145

     The Health Care Financing Administration announced today that
Aetna Life Insurance Company has successfully assumed the
responsibility for Medicare Part B claims processing in the state
of Washington.  

     Effective Jan. 1, Aetna became the Medicare contractor in the
state of Washington responsible for processing Medicare claims for
physicians and other Part B providers in that state.

     "Aetna has significantly improved services to Medicare
beneficiaries and Part B providers in the state of Washington,"
said HCFA Administrator Bruce C. Vladeck.  "The company's seamless
and competent assumption of these responsibilities is welcome news
in that state."

     The new responsibility requires that Aetna process Medicare
claims for 28,000 physicians and other Part B providers in the
state of Washington.  During 1993, some 10.4 million claims were
submitted for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries--totaling
about $505.4 million in benefit payments.

     Aetna was selected to take over this major claims processing
workload because of its record as the Medicare Part B contractor
for Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and
Oklahoma.

     Aetna's contract was amended in June 1993 to include the state
of Washington when the King County Medical Blue Shield contract was
not renewed.

     "We sought a smooth transition with as little inconvenience as
possible for beneficiaries and providers alike," Vladeck added. 
"Aetna has met this challenge.  They have instituted an extensive
system of testing, staff hiring and training and other statewide
outreach activities to beneficiaries and providers."  

     The Health Care Financing Administration is the federal agency
which administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs that help pay
the medical bills for 67 million Americans.  HCFA's estimated 
fiscal year 1994 expenditures will total more than $250 billion.