Aetna Inc.

A settlement has been reached and is pending court approval in the class action lawsuit filed against Aetna Inc. by the American Dental Association. The suit claimed that the Hartford-based insurer interfered with dental procedures in order to cut costs, and forced dentists to complete excessive paperwork. Under the terms of settlement, Aetna would pay $4 million to 40,000 - 50,000 dentists, as well as $1 million to the plaintiff's charitable group, the ADA Foundation. The class in the case includes include all dentists who have provided services to Aetna members since Aug. 15, 1995. (Aug-19-03) [SETTLEMENT WEBSITE]