Aetna

Founded in 1853 by Eliphalet Adams Bulkeley, Aetna began as the Aetna Fire Insurance Company of Hartford before evolving into a global health services giant. The company chose its name to reflect Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano at the time, symbolizing strength and endurance. Over nearly two centuries, the firm transformed from a fire insurer into a diversified managed care provider that now offers traditional medical coverage, consumer-directed health plans, dental, vision, behavioral health, long-term care, and pharmaceutical benefit management services.

Since November 28, 2018, Aetna has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CVS Health following a $69 billion acquisition. This merger integrated Aetna's insurance capabilities with CVS's retail pharmacy network to create an expanded healthcare ecosystem. Under the leadership of CEO Mark T. Bertolini, who served for over a decade before stepping down in 2024, the brand grew to serve approximately 22.1 million medical members, 12.7 million dental enrollees, and over 13 million individuals using PBM services across a network of more than 690,000 doctors and 5,700 hospitals.

Recent years have brought significant turbulence and strategic shifts for the company. In late October 2026, Aetna filed a lawsuit against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services over star ratings, citing more than $2 billion in potential financial stakes. Later that year, the organization faced a $117 million judgment related to allegations of medical fraud. Network disputes also emerged in early November 2026 when Hillcrest Healthcare System in Tulsa went out-of-network with Aetna, leaving thousands of patients scrambling for alternative care. Meanwhile, reports from November 2026 indicate CVS Health is exploring a breakup of its business to separate its retail pharmacy chain from its insurance and PBM arms. [edit]