Founding of Aetna
Aetna was founded in 1853 in Hartford, Connecticut, originally as Aetna Life Insurance Company, providing life insurance policies.
1853
1854
First Life Insurance Policy Issued
Aetna issued its first life insurance policy in 1854, marking the beginning of its operations in the insurance industry.
1899
Entry into Health Insurance
Aetna began offering health insurance in 1899, expanding its product offerings beyond life insurance.
1951
Group Health Insurance Introduction
Aetna introduced group health insurance plans in 1951, catering to employers and their employees, which significantly broadened its market reach.
1968
Expansion into International Markets
Aetna expanded its operations internationally in 1968, establishing a presence in various countries around the world.
1982
Acquisition of Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company
Aetna acquired the group insurance business of Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in 1982, further strengthening its market position.
1996
Acquisition of U.S. Healthcare
Aetna acquired U.S. Healthcare, a major health maintenance organization (HMO), in 1996, significantly expanding its managed care capabilities.
2000
Divestiture of Financial Services and International Businesses
Aetna divested its financial services and international businesses in 2000 to focus solely on health insurance and related services.
2007
Introduction of Consumer-Directed Health Plans
Aetna introduced consumer-directed health plans in 2007, offering more flexibility and control to consumers over their health care spending.
2012
Acquisition of Coventry Health Care
Aetna acquired Coventry Health Care in 2012, enhancing its Medicaid and Medicare offerings and expanding its government business.
2015
Acquisition of Humana Announced
Aetna announced its intention to acquire Humana in 2015, aiming to create one of the largest health insurers in the United States, though the deal was later blocked by regulators.
2017
CVS Health Acquisition Announcement
CVS Health announced its plan to acquire Aetna for $69 billion in 2017, aiming to transform the consumer health care experience.
2018
Completion of CVS Health Acquisition
The acquisition of Aetna by CVS Health was completed in 2018, creating a new health care powerhouse combining insurance and retail pharmacy services.
2020
Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Aetna played a crucial role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, providing support and resources to members, including telehealth services and COVID-19 testing coverage.
2022
Expansion of Virtual Care Services
Aetna expanded its virtual care services in 2022, enhancing access to telehealth and digital health solutions for its members.
2024
Innovations in Health Technology
In 2024, Aetna continued to innovate in health technology, integrating advanced data analytics and AI to improve health outcomes and personalize care for its members.
