Dr.Wendy Richards 'PlanforYourHealth.com' and For Dummies Book

Consumers Overlooking Opportunities at Open Enrollment May be Missing Out
Plan for Your Health Launches Free For Dummies Guide to
Celebrate the Programs Fifth Anniversary and Put the Spotlight Back on Health Benefits www.PlanforYourHealth.com,

HARTFORD, Conn., September 15, 2009 — Americans have been hearing more about health care and health insurance these days than ever. But, when it comes to understanding their own health benefits, many may be missing opportunities to take advantage of their options when choosing benefits during Open Enrollment and even save money throughout the year. A survey released today from Plan for Your Health, the health benefits public education program launched in September 2004 by Aetna (NYSE: AET) and the Financial Planning Association (FPA), found that less than 20 percent of insured adults surveyed consider themselves very knowledgeable about their health benefits plan. With the majority more concerned about their finances now compared to five years ago, and millions of Americans faced with making annual health benefits decisions during Open Enrollment, this is alarming.

To celebrate its sixth Open Enrollment helping Americans make smart, financially-savvy health benefits decisions, Plan for Your Health again teamed up with Wiley Publishing to release an updated version of its free consumer guide, Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies. Following huge consumer demand for the first edition published in 2006, the second edition, available at www.PlanforYourHealth.com, will be even more helpful to todays consumer, with easy-to-understand tips on everything from how to navigate health benefits after a layoff to how to make the most of benefits in todays economy. It even includes a tear-out page with Ten Money-Saving Tips.

Making health benefits choices during Open Enrollment can be confusing, especially as people cope with the current economic situation. However, consumers who do a little homework up front are in a better position to choose a plan that will help them stay fit and healthy, manage any chronic health conditions that may impact their family, and even save money in the long run, said Wendy Richards, M.D., co-author of Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies, a family physician and National Medical Director for Aetna. Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies is a great resource to help consumers understand their options so they can make the best decision for their individual situation.

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