Microsoft switches insurers from Aetna to Premera

Poor physician relations is cited as one factor behind the plan change.

By Julie A. Jacob, AMNews staff. Oct. 14, 2002.

Microsoft Corp. is dropping Aetna Inc. and picking up Premera Blue Cross to provide health care benefits for its employees. According to the software giant, Premera's good relations with physicians -- at least as compared with Aetna's -- played a part in its decision.

Premera's "robust Web-based presence, comprehensive health network and great relations with physicians," were all factors that led to the switch, according to Microsoft spokeswoman Nicole Miller.

Tom Curry, executive director of the Washington State Medical Assn., said that Premera is known for its good relations with physicians. "Premera made a real effort to reach out to the community, in a way we did not see with Aetna," he said. "Physicians generally tell me that Aetna is arrogant and nonresponsive, while Premera's management has made a real effort to reach out to the community."

The CEO for a 15-physician orthopedic group in Renton, Wash., agreed.

"Premera has done a wonderful job building their provider relations, while Aetna has gone in the opposite direction. I can e-mail [Premera] with a question or problem and it gets solved,"said Matt Kilton of Valley Orthopedic Associates.

But Aetna garnered praise from the practice administrator for the Women's Clinic of Vancouver, who said Aetna was more responsive than Premera for processing claims and handling complaints. [...]