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               aet logo
151 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, Conn.  06156
Media Contact:
Fred Laberge
860-273-4788
labergear@aetna.com
 
   
Investor Contact:
Tom Cowhey
860-273-2402
cowheyt@aetna.com
 
 
News Release _________________________________________________________
 
AETNA REPORTS SECOND-QUARTER 2011 RESULTS

 
·  
Second-quarter 2011 operating earnings per share (1) were $1.35; compared with the Thomson-First Call mean of $1.08
·  
Net income per share was $1.39
·  
Total medical benefit ratio was 79.7 percent; 82.5 percent excluding prior-period reserve development
·  
Medical membership totaled 18.2 million members at June 30, 2011
·  
Aetna now projects full-year 2011 operating earnings per share to be $4.60 to $4.70 (2)
 
 
HARTFORD, Conn., July 27, 2011 ― Aetna (NYSE: AET) today announced second-quarter 2011 operating earnings (1) of $522.8 million, or $1.35 per share, a per share increase of 29 percent over 2010. The increase in the second quarter operating earnings was largely the result of higher Commercial underwriting margins from improved underlying performance, partially offset by the effect of lower Commercial Insured membership in 2011.  Second-quarter results included favorable prior-period reserve development of $.31 per share, primarily from first quarter 2011 incurred health care costs.  Second-quarter net income per share was $1.39.
 
For the first half of 2011, operating earnings per share were $2.78, including $.32 per share of favorable prior-years reserve development primarily from 2010 incurred health care costs.  Net income per share was $2.88 for the first half of 2011.
 

 
 

 
Aetna/2
 
 
Second Quarter Financial Results at a Glance
         
   
       Three Months Ended June 30,
(Millions, except per share results)
           2011
           2010
Change  
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains (3)
 $    8,323.0
 $    8,502.4
(2)%
Operating earnings
          522.8
          450.2
16%
Net income
          536.7
          491.0
9%
         
Per share results:
     
    Operating earnings
 $         1.35
 $         1.05
29%
    Net income
             1.39
             1.14
22%
         
Weighted average common shares - diluted
          387.3
          430.2
 
 
“Aetna's second-quarter financial results reflect strong operating fundamentals across the enterprise,” said Mark T. Bertolini, chairman, CEO and president. "Three main factors account for our success: disciplined pricing and medical cost management; lower than anticipated utilization of health care services by our members; and strong cash flow generation. The result has been better-than-projected financial results in the first half of 2011.
 
"Our long-term strategy remains focused on delivering profitable growth and consistent performance through a diversified portfolio of businesses.  Our business units are generally performing very well as we acquire new capabilities to enhance our value proposition.  I am pleased with the initial progress of our Accountable Care Solutions model for collaboration with high-quality health systems such as Carilion Clinic, Heartland Health and Emory Healthcare. We believe this new model will help create the transformational change people are looking for in health care,” said Bertolini. 
 
“Our strong financial position and prudent capital management have allowed us to capitalize on marketplace opportunities," said Joseph M. Zubretsky, senior executive vice president and CFO. "We have deployed capital to fund several strategic acquisitions in recent quarters, as well as share repurchases and an increased dividend.  We believe we can benefit both our customers and shareholders by continuing to invest to strengthen our core business and create new growth opportunities.
 
"Based on our results and our outlook for the balance of the year, we now project full-year 2011 operating earnings per share of $4.60 to $4.70.”
 
 
 
 

 
Aetna/3

Health Care business results
Health Care, which provides a full range of insured and self-insured medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health products and services, reported:
 
·
Operating earnings of $512.9 million for the second quarter of 2011, compared with $467.4 million for the corresponding period in 2010.  The increase in operating earnings was primarily due to higher Commercial underwriting margins from improved underlying performance, partially offset by the effect of lower Commercial Insured membership in 2011.  Operating earnings included approximately $121.3 million and $127.6 million, after tax, of favorable prior-period reserve development in the second quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
·
Total revenue for the second quarter of 2011 was $7.7 billion compared with $7.9 billion for the second quarter of 2010.  The decrease was primarily attributable to lower Commercial Insured membership in 2011 as well as changes in the customer market, product and geographic mix of business, partially offset by premium rate increases.
 
·
Medical benefit ratios ("MBRs") for second quarter 2011 and 2010 were as follows:
 
   
2011
 
2010
 
  Commercial
77.9%
 
80.1%
 
  Medicare
84.6%
 
86.4%
 
  Medicaid
87.2%
 
89.2%
 
  Total
79.7%
 
81.8%
 
Ø  
Excluding prior-period reserve development, the Commercial MBR was 81.2 percent and 83.2 percent for the second quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Commercial medical costs include favorable development of prior-period health care cost estimates of $167.5 million and $160.4 million in the second quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Ø  
Excluding prior-period reserve development, the Medicare MBR was 85.9 percent and 88.7 percent for the second quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Medicare medical costs include favorable development of prior-period health care cost estimates of $17.6 million and $33.4 million in the second quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
Prior-period reserve development for the second quarter of 2011 relates primarily to first quarter 2011 incurred health care costs.
 

 
 

 
Aetna/4
 
·  
Excluding the acquisition of Prodigy Health Group, sequentially, second-quarter 2011 medical membership decreased by 76 thousand to 17.718 million; dental membership decreased by 95 thousand to 13.394 million and pharmacy benefit management services membership decreased by 79 thousand to 8.486 million.  The acquisition of Prodigy Health Group on June 28, 2011 added approximately 523 thousand medical members, 392 thousand dental members and 292 thousand pharmacy benefit management services members.
·  
Net income was $522.6 million for the second quarter of 2011, compared with $494.6 million for the second quarter of 2010.
 
Prior-years reserve development was $196.6 million and $150.3 million in the first half of 2011 and 2010, respectively.  2011 prior-years reserve development relates primarily to 2010 incurred health care costs, and 2010 prior-years reserve development relates primarily to 2009 incurred health care costs.
 
Group Insurance business results
Group Insurance, which includes group life, disability and long-term care products, reported:
 
·
Operating earnings of $44.4 million for the second quarters of both 2011 and 2010.
 
·
Net income of $47.3 million for the second quarter of 2011, compared with $50.5 million for the second quarter of 2010.
 
·
Revenues (3) for the second quarter of 2011 were $499.5 million, compared with $517.0 million for the second quarter of 2010.  Second quarter total revenue, which includes net realized capital gains, was $503.9 million in 2011 and $526.5 million in 2010.
 
Large Case Pensions business results
Large Case Pensions, which manages a variety of discontinued and other retirement and savings products, primarily qualified pension plans, reported:
 
·
Operating earnings of $6.2 million for the second quarter of 2011, compared with $6.1 million for the second quarter of 2010.
 
·
Net income of $7.5 million for the second quarter of 2011, compared with net income of $13.6 million for the second quarter of 2010.
  
 
 

 
Aetna/5

Total company results
 
·
Total Revenues were $8.3 billion for the second quarter of 2011 compared with $8.5 billion for the second quarter of 2010.
 
·
Operating Expenses (1) were $1.6 billion for the second quarter of 2011, $13.6 million higher than the second quarter of 2010.  The operating expense ratio (4) was 19.1 percent for the second quarter of 2011 and 18.6 percent for the second quarter of 2010.  Including net realized capital gains and litigation-related insurance proceeds recorded in 2010, these percentages were 19.1 percent and 18.2 percent for the second quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
·
Corporate Financing Interest Expense was $39.9 million and $39.4 million after tax for the second quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively.
 
·
Net Income was $536.7 million for the second quarter of 2011 compared with $491.0 million for the second quarter of 2010.
 
·
Pre-tax Operating Margin (5) was 10.7 percent for the second quarter of 2011 compared with 9.2 percent for the second quarter of 2010.  For the second quarter of 2011, the after-tax net income margin was 6.4 percent compared with 5.7 percent for 2010.
 
·
Share Repurchases totaled 11.2 million shares at a cost of $485 million in the second quarter of 2011.
 
Aetna’s conference call to discuss second quarter 2011 results will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET today. The public may access the conference call through a live audio webcast available on Aetna’s Investor Information link on the Internet at www.aetna.com. Financial, statistical and other information, including GAAP reconciliations, related to the conference call also will be available on Aetna’s Investor Information web site.
 
The conference call also can be accessed by dialing 800-753-0420 or 913-312-0687 for international callers. The company suggests participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call. The access code is 1077594. Individuals who dial in will be asked to identify themselves and their affiliations.
 

 
 

 
Aetna/6

 
A replay of the call may be accessed through Aetna's Investor Information link on the Internet at www.aetna.com or by dialing 888-203-1112, or 719-457-0820 for international callers. The replay access code is 1077594. Telephone replays will be available from 11 a.m. ET on July 27, 2011 until 11 p.m. ET on August 10, 2011.
 
 
About Aetna
 
 
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.5 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 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.
 

 
 

 
Aetna/7
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
                         
                         
   
For the Three Months
   
For the Six Months
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
(Millions)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Revenue:
                       
Health care premiums
  $ 6,733.4     $ 6,915.2     $ 13,484.0     $ 13,810.3  
Other premiums
    451.8       460.5       897.1       935.2  
Fees and other revenue
    896.5       873.0       1,796.1       1,772.8  
Net investment income
    241.3       253.7       493.9       528.9  
Net realized capital gains
    21.4       43.4       61.1       120.1  
            Total revenue
    8,344.4       8,545.8       16,732.2       17,167.3  
 
                               
Benefits and expenses:
                               
Health care costs
    5,366.8       5,658.6       10,714.8       11,349.6  
Current and future benefits
    477.7       480.7       963.2       1,007.7  
Operating expenses:
                               
      Selling expenses
    267.2       302.5       557.9       624.0  
      General and administrative expenses
    1,324.5       1,255.6       2,597.3       2,451.3  
            Total operating expenses
    1,591.7       1,558.1       3,155.2       3,075.3  
Interest expense
    61.5       60.7       127.6       121.6  
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets
    25.6       24.2       51.9       48.6  
            Total benefits and expenses
    7,523.3       7,782.3       15,012.7       15,602.8  
                                 
Income before income taxes
    821.1       763.5       1,719.5       1,564.5  
Income taxes
    284.4       272.5       596.8       510.9  
Net income
  $ 536.7     $ 491.0     $ 1,122.7     $ 1,053.6  
                                 
 

 
 
 

 
Aetna/8
 
 
Summary of Results
                         
                         
   
For the Three Months
   
For the Six Months
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
(Millions)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Operating earnings, excluding prior-period reserve development
  $ 401.5     $ 322.6              
      Favorable development of prior-period
                           
            health care cost estimates
    121.3       127.6              
Operating earnings
    522.8       450.2     $ 1,083.0     $ 880.8  
      Litigation-related insurance proceeds
    -       13.0       -       58.5  
      Net realized capital gains
    13.9       27.8       39.7       114.3  
Net income (GAAP measure)
  $ 536.7     $ 491.0     $ 1,122.7     $ 1,053.6  
                                 
Weighted average common shares - basic
    379.2       423.0       381.3       427.2  
                                 
Weighted average common shares - diluted
    387.3       430.2       389.2       434.9  
                                 
Per Common Share
                               
Operating earnings, excluding prior-period reserve development
  $ 1.04     $ .75                  
      Favorable development of prior-period
                               
            health care cost estimates
    .31       .30                  
Operating earnings
    1.35       1.05     $ 2.78     $ 2.03  
      Litigation-related insurance proceeds
    -       .03       -       .13  
      Net realized capital gains
    .04       .06       .10       .26  
Net income (GAAP measure)
  $ 1.39     $ 1.14     $ 2.88     $ 2.42  
                                 
 

 
 
 

 
Aetna/9
 
 
Segment Information (6)
                         
   
For the Three Months
   
For the Six Months
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
(Millions)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Health Care:
                       
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains
  $ 7,691.4     $ 7,864.3     $ 15,401.1     $ 15,737.5  
      Net realized capital gains
    15.0       22.4       48.7       67.8  
Total revenue (GAAP measure)
  $ 7,706.4     $ 7,886.7     $ 15,449.8     $ 15,805.3  
                                 
Commercial Medical Benefit Ratio:
                               
Premiums
  $ 5,031.4     $ 5,148.4     $ 10,045.0     $ 10,291.8  
Health care costs (GAAP measure)
  $ 3,917.9     $ 4,124.1     $ 7,777.3     $ 8,293.5  
      Favorable development of prior-period
                               
           health care cost estimates
    167.5       160.4                  
Health care costs, excluding prior-period development
  $ 4,085.4     $ 4,284.5                  
                                 
Commercial MBR (GAAP measure)
    77.9 %     80.1 %     77.4 %     80.6 %
Commercial MBR, excluding prior-period reserve development
    81.2 %     83.2 %                
                                 
Medicare Medical Benefit Ratio:
                               
Premiums
  $ 1,358.3     $ 1,507.2     $ 2,767.1     $ 3,026.5  
Health care costs (GAAP measure)
  $ 1,149.2     $ 1,302.9     $ 2,347.5     $ 2,624.9  
      Favorable development of prior-period
                               
           health care cost estimates
    17.6       33.4                  
Health care costs, excluding prior-period development
  $ 1,166.8     $ 1,336.3                  
                                 
Medicare MBR (GAAP measure)
    84.6 %     86.4 %     84.8 %     86.7 %
Medicare MBR, excluding prior-period reserve development
    85.9 %     88.7 %                
                                 
Total Medical Benefit Ratio:
                               
Premiums
  $ 6,733.4     $ 6,915.2     $ 13,484.0     $ 13,810.3  
Health care costs (GAAP measure)
  $ 5,366.8     $ 5,658.6     $ 10,714.8     $ 11,349.6  
      Favorable development of prior-period
                               
           health care cost estimates
    188.1       198.6                  
Health care costs, excluding prior-period development
  $ 5,554.9     $ 5,857.2                  
                                 
Total MBR (GAAP measure)
    79.7 %     81.8 %     79.5 %     82.2 %
Total MBR, excluding prior-period reserve development
    82.5 %     84.7 %                
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 512.9     $ 467.4     $ 1,068.2     $ 927.5  
      Litigation-related insurance proceeds
    -       13.0       -       58.5  
      Net realized capital gains
    9.7       14.2       31.6       70.5  
Net income (GAAP measure)
  $ 522.6     $ 494.6     $ 1,099.8     $ 1,056.5  
                                 

 
 

 
Aetna/10
 
 
Segment Information continued  (6)
                         
                         
   
For the Three Months
   
For the Six Months
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
(Millions)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Group Insurance:
                       
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains
  $ 499.5     $ 517.0     $ 1,003.9     $ 1,046.9  
      Net realized capital gains
    4.4       9.5       10.9       35.7  
Total revenue (GAAP measure)
  $ 503.9     $ 526.5     $ 1,014.8     $ 1,082.6  
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 44.4     $ 44.4     $ 87.3     $ 72.9  
      Net realized capital gains
    2.9       6.1       7.1       31.0  
Net income (GAAP measure)
  $ 47.3     $ 50.5     $ 94.4     $ 103.9  
                                 
Large Case Pensions:
                               
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains
  $ 132.1     $ 121.1     $ 266.1     $ 262.8  
      Net realized capital gains
    2.0       11.5       1.5       16.6  
Total revenue  (GAAP measure)
  $ 134.1     $ 132.6     $ 267.6     $ 279.4  
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 6.2     $ 6.1     $ 12.0     $ 15.8  
      Net realized capital gains
    1.3       7.5       1.0       12.8  
Net income (GAAP measure)
  $ 7.5     $ 13.6     $ 13.0     $ 28.6  
                                 
                                 
                                 
Total Company:
                               
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains (A)
  $ 8,323.0     $ 8,502.4     $ 16,671.1     $ 17,047.2  
      Net realized capital gains
    21.4       43.4       61.1       120.1  
Total revenue (GAAP measure) (B)
  $ 8,344.4     $ 8,545.8     $ 16,732.2     $ 17,167.3  
                                 
Business segment operating expenses (C)
  $ 1,590.5     $ 1,534.7     $ 3,152.8     $ 3,078.6  
      Corporate Financing segment operating expenses (7)
    1.2       43.4       2.4       86.7  
Operating expenses, including Corporate Financing segment (D)
    1,591.7       1,578.1       3,155.2       3,165.3  
      Litigation-related insurance proceeds
    -       (20.0 )     -       (90.0 )
Total operating expenses (GAAP measure) (E)
  $ 1,591.7     $ 1,558.1     $ 3,155.2     $ 3,075.3  
                                 
                                 
Operating Expenses Ratios:
                               
Business segment operating expense ratio (C)/(A)
    19.1 %     18.1 %     18.9 %     18.1 %
Operating expense ratio (D)/(A)
    19.1 %     18.6 %     18.9 %     18.6 %
Total operating expense ratio (E)/(B)  (GAAP measure)
    19.1 %     18.2 %     18.9 %     17.9 %
                                 

 
 

 
Aetna/11
 
 
Membership
                       
                       
         
June 30,
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
June 30,
(Thousands)
   
2011
 
2011
 
2010
 
2010
Medical Membership:
               
Commercial
   
                  16,594
 
               16,175
 
                  16,824
 
               17,020
Medicare
     
                        405
 
                     407
 
                        445
 
                    451
Medicaid
     
                    1,242
 
                  1,212
 
                    1,199
 
                 1,131
      Total Medical Membership
 
                  18,241
 
               17,794
 
                  18,468
 
               18,602
                       
Consumer-Directed Health Plans (8)
 
                    2,405
 
                  2,412
 
                    2,184
 
                 2,221
                       
Dental Membership:
               
Commercial
   
                  12,181
 
               11,881
 
                  12,137
 
               12,309
Medicare & Medicaid
 
                        635
 
                     626
 
                        639
 
                    605
Network Access (9)
 
                        970
 
                     982
 
                        971
 
                    998
      Total Dental Membership
 
                  13,786
 
               13,489
 
                  13,747
 
               13,912
                       
Pharmacy Benefit Management Membership:
               
Commercial
   
                    8,131
 
                  7,901
 
                    8,555
 
                 8,796
Medicare PDP (stand-alone)
 
                        432
 
                     447
 
                        608
 
                    637
Medicare Advantage PDP
 
                        188
 
                     190
 
                        227
 
                    234
Medicaid
     
                          27
 
                       27
 
                          27
 
                       30
      Total Pharmacy Benefit Management Services
 
                    8,778
 
                  8,565
 
                    9,417
 
                 9,697
                       

 

 
 
 

 
Aetna/12
 
 
Operating Margins
                         
                         
   
For the Three Months
   
For the Six Months
 
   
Ended June 30,
   
Ended June 30,
 
(Millions)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Reconciliation to Income Before Income Taxes:
                       
Operating earnings before income taxes, excluding interest
                       
         expense and amortization of other acquired intangible assets (A)
  $ 886.8     $ 785.0     $ 1,837.9     $ 1,524.6  
      Interest expense
    (61.5 )     (60.7 )     (127.6 )     (121.6 )
      Amortization of other acquired intangible assets
    (25.6 )     (24.2 )     (51.9 )     (48.6 )
      Litigation-related insurance proceeds
    -       20.0       -       90.0  
      Net realized capital gains
    21.4       43.4       61.1       120.1  
Income before income taxes  (GAAP measure)
  $ 821.1     $ 763.5     $ 1,719.5     $ 1,564.5  
                                 
Reconciliation to Net Income:
                               
Operating earnings, excluding interest expense and
                               
         amortization of other acquired intangible assets, net of tax
  $ 579.3     $ 505.3     $ 1,199.6     $ 991.4  
      Interest expense, net of tax
    (39.9 )     (39.4 )     (82.9 )     (79.0 )
      Amortization of other acquired intangible assets, net of tax
    (16.6 )     (15.7 )     (33.7 )     (31.6 )
      Litigation-related insurance proceeds, net of tax
    -       13.0       -       58.5  
      Net realized capital gains, net of tax
    13.9       27.8       39.7       114.3  
Net income (GAAP measure) (B)
  $ 536.7     $ 491.0     $ 1,122.7     $ 1,053.6  
                                 
Reconciliation of Revenue:
                               
Revenue, excluding net realized capital gains (C)
  $ 8,323.0     $ 8,502.4     $ 16,671.1     $ 17,047.2  
      Net realized capital gains
    21.4       43.4       61.1       120.1  
Total revenue (GAAP measure) (D)
  $ 8,344.4     $ 8,545.8     $ 16,732.2     $ 17,167.3  
                                 
Operating and Net Income Margins:
                               
Pretax operating margin (A)/(C)
    10.7 %     9.2 %     11.0 %     8.9 %
After-tax net income margin (B)/(D) (GAAP measure)
    6.4 %     5.7 %     6.7 %     6.1 %
                                 

 
 

 
Aetna/13

(1) Operating earnings and operating earnings per share exclude net realized capital gains and losses and other items, if any, from net income.  Although the excluded items may recur, management believes that operating earnings and operating earnings per share provide a more useful comparison of Aetna’s underlying business performance from period to period.  Management uses operating earnings to assess business performance and to make decisions regarding Aetna’s operations and allocation of resources among Aetna’s businesses. Operating earnings is also the measure reported to the Chief Executive Officer for these purposes.
 
The following items are excluded from operating earnings because we believe they neither relate to the ordinary course of our business nor reflect our underlying business performance:
Ø  
Following a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling in June 2009, we recorded litigation-related insurance proceeds of $13.0 million ($20.0 million pretax) and $58.5 million ($90.0 million pretax) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, from our liability insurers related to certain litigation we settled in 2003.
Ø  
Net realized capital gains and losses arise from various types of transactions, primarily in the course of managing a portfolio of assets that support the payment of liabilities.  However, these transactions do not directly relate to the underwriting or servicing of products for customers and are not directly related to the core performance of Aetna’s business operations.

For a reconciliation of these items to financial measures calculated under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), refer to the tables on pages 8 through 10 and 12 of this press release.
 
(2) Projected operating earnings per share exclude any future net realized capital gains and losses and other items, including any charge relating to our voluntary early retirement program, from net income.  Aetna is not able to project the amount of future net realized capital gains and losses and therefore cannot reconcile projected operating earnings to projected net income in any period.  Projected operating earnings per share for the full year 2011 reflect approximately 384 million weighted average diluted shares.
 
(3) Revenue excludes net realized capital gains and losses as noted in (1) above.  Refer to the tables on pages 9, 10 and 12 of this press release for a reconciliation of revenue excluding net realized capital gains and losses to revenue calculated under GAAP.
 
(4) The operating expense ratio reflects the inclusion of the Corporate Financing segment in operating expenses and excludes net realized capital gains and losses and other items, if any.  For a reconciliation of this metric to the comparable GAAP measure refer to page 10 of this press release.
 
(5) In order to provide useful information regarding Aetna’s profitability on a basis comparable to others in the industry, without regard to financing decisions, income taxes or amortization of other acquired intangible assets (each of which may vary for reasons not directly related to the performance of the underlying business), Aetna’s pretax operating margin is based on operating earnings excluding interest expense, income taxes and amortization of other acquired intangible assets. Management also uses pretax operating margin to assess Aetna’s performance, including performance versus competitors.
 
(6) Revenue and operating expense information is presented before income taxes.  Operating earnings is presented net of income taxes.
 
(7) Our Corporate Financing segment is not a business segment. It is added to our business segments to reconcile to our consolidated results. The Corporate Financing segment includes interest expense on our outstanding debt and the financing components of our pension and other postretirement benefit plan expenses.
 
(8) Represents members in consumer-directed health plans included in Aetna’s Commercial medical membership.
 
(9) Represents members in products that allow these members access to Aetna’s dental provider network for a nominal fee.
 
 
 
 

 
Aetna/14
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT; ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- -- Certain information in this press release is forward-looking, including our projections as to operating earnings per share, the impact of our Accountable Care Solutions model and weighted average diluted shares. Forward-looking information is based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections, and is subject to significant uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Aetna's control. Important risk factors could cause actual future results and other future events to differ materially from those currently estimated by management, particularly the implementation of health care reform legislation and changes in Aetna’s future cash requirements, capital requirements, results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows. Health care reform will significantly impact our business operations and financial results, including our medical benefit ratios.  Components of the legislation will be phased in over the next seven years, and we will be required to dedicate material resources and incur material expenses during that time to implement health care reform.  Many significant parts of the legislation, including health insurance exchanges and the implementation of medical loss ratios, require further guidance and clarification both at the federal level and in the form of regulations and actions by state legislatures to implement the law.  As a result, many of the impacts of health care reform will not be known for the next several years.  Other important risk factors include adverse and less predictable economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad (including unanticipated levels of or rate of increase in the unemployment rate); adverse changes in health care reform and/or other federal or state government policies or regulations as a result of health care reform, changes in health care reform or otherwise (including legislative, judicial or regulatory measures that would affect our business model, restrict funding for various aspects of health care reform, limit our ability to price for the risk we assume and/or reflect reasonable costs or profits in our pricing, such as mandated minimum medical benefit ratios, eliminate or reduce ERISA pre-emption of state laws (increasing our potential litigation exposure) or mandate coverage of certain health benefits); our ability to differentiate our products and solutions from those offered by our competitors, and demonstrate that our products lead to access to better quality of care by our members; unanticipated increases in medical costs (including increased intensity or medical utilization as a result of the H1N1 or other flu, increased COBRA participation rates or otherwise; changes in membership mix to higher cost or lower-premium products or membership-adverse selection; changes in medical cost estimates due to the necessary extensive judgment that is used in the medical cost estimation process, the considerable variability inherent in such estimates, and the sensitivity of such estimates to changes in medical claims payment patterns and changes in medical cost trends; increases resulting from unfavorable changes in contracting or re-contracting with providers, and increased pharmacy costs); failure to achieve and/or delays in achieving desired rate increases and/or profitable membership growth due to regulatory restrictions, the difficult economy and/or significant competition, especially in key geographic areas where membership is concentrated; adverse changes in size, product mix or medical cost experience of membership; our ability to diversify our sources of revenue and earnings; adverse program, pricing or funding actions by federal or state government payors; the ability to successfully implement our agreement with CVS Caremark Corporation on a timely basis and in a cost-efficient manner and to achieve projected operating efficiencies for the agreement; our ability to integrate, simplify, and enhance our existing information technology systems and platforms to keep pace with changing customer and regulatory needs; the success of our health information technology initiatives; the ability to successfully integrate our businesses (including Medicity, Prodigy Health Group and other businesses we acquire) and implement multiple strategic and operational initiatives simultaneously; managing executive succession and key talent retention, recruitment and development; the ability to reduce administrative expenses while maintaining targeted levels of service and operating performance; the outcome of various litigation and regulatory matters, including the CMS risk adjustment audits of certain of our Medicare contracts, guaranty fund assessments and litigation concerning, and ongoing reviews by various regulatory authorities of, certain of our payment practices with respect to out-of-network providers; reputational issues arising from data security breaches or other means; the ability to improve relations with providers while taking actions to reduce medical costs and/or expand the services we offer; our ability to maintain our relationships with third party brokers, consultants and agents who sell our products; increases in medical costs or Group Insurance claims resulting from any epidemics, acts of terrorism or other extreme events; and a downgrade in our financial ratings. For more discussion of important risk factors that may materially affect Aetna, please see the risk factors contained in Aetna's 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and Aetna’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 (Aetna’s “Second Quarter 10-Q”), when filed with the SEC.  You also should read Aetna’s Second Quarter 10-Q when filed with the SEC for a discussion of Aetna’s historical results of operations and financial condition.