UNEMPLOYED CONFUSED OVER COBRA COSTS

How COBRA works COBRA is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985. It can cover you for up to 36 months after losing a job. That can bring peace of mind while hunting for work. What's not so peaceful is the cost. In a recent survey conducted by Aetna, about 38% of respondents thought they would pay the same for COBRA as when they were employed. Wrong. Without the employer helping to pay the bill, you have to pay 102% of the total premium. This can end up costing double or more to keep the same coverage. This high expense makes it nearly impossible for most families to use COBRA coverage. Read full article. Recent COBRA changes As part of the national economic stimulus package, people who were laid off (or may lose their jobs in the near future) and who select COBRA coverage will receive help paying for it. With the rising unemployment rate, these changes are a positive temporary solution and will make COBRA coverage more affordable for eligible consumers. There are several important details to know about the recent changes to COBRA coverage. Click here to learn more about these recent COBRA changes.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Black Enterprise Magazine Names Aetna as One of the Best Companies For Diversity Aetna was recently included on Black Enterprise magazine’s 2009 list of the “40 Best Companies for Diversity.” This is the fourth consecutive year that Aetna received this distinction. According to the magazine, Aetna demonstrated strengths and outperformed peers in the diversity of both its Board of Directors and senior leadership. The 2009 “40 Best Companies for Diversity” were determined by surveys administered to the CEOs and diversity executives of the top 1,000 publicly traded companies, and the 50 leading global companies with strong U.S. operations. Aetna is the only health insurance company to appear on the 2009 list. The complete special report was presented in the July 2009 issue of Black Enterprise magazine.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Aetna sponsors the Komen Race for the Cure on September 13th in NYC This year Aetna is proudly sponsoring the Komen Race for the Cure. It is the largest 5k run/fitness walk in the world and one of the largest in NYC. In addition to funding, Aetna volunteers and two race teams are participating in the race and raising additional funds for the organization. The Komen New York City Race for the Cure raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. With the help of our committed participants, pledgers and sponsors, the race has grown from a few thousand participants in 1990 to 25,000 in 2008, raising over $5.6 million in 2008 alone. How you can participate The Komen New York City Race for the Cure Sunday, September 13, 2009 Central Park, 9:00 am You can join the event as a supporter, volunteer, runner or walker. Join more than 25,000 New Yorkers - including over 1,600 breast cancer survivors - and help run breast cancer out of town! More information at: http://www.komennyc.org/site/TR?fr_id=1170&pg=entry

WELLNESS CORNER

Study: Tanning Beds as Deadly as Arsenic International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming them as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas. For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens." A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75% when people start using tanning beds before age 30. The new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others. Read full article.