Aetna’s expatriate healthcare plans replace Swiss Life Singapore’s in-house expatriate healthcare benefit plans. The deal builds on an agreement ratified in July this year, which named Aetna as the US partner for the Swiss Life Network, a global association of 60 insurance companies and business partners operating in 70 countries. Swiss Life offers comprehensive international and local employee benefit packages to multinational companies through the Swiss Life Network.

“We are pleased to expand our role in the Swiss Life Network to provide its customers in Singapore with high-quality expatriate employee benefits solutions and services tailored to meet their specific needs,” said Derek Goldberg, Aetna International’s general manager, Southeast Asia. “With our on-the-ground presence in Singapore and our strong global reach, we can provide the personalised, comprehensive service that multinational companies require to ensure their mobile employees have access to quality medical treatment so they can maintain good health.”

Margrit Schmid, CEO of Swiss Life Network, said, “We are pleased to work with Aetna to offer our customers high-quality expat employee benefits in Singapore in addition to the US. As a leader in healthcare solutions in America and for the expatriate market, Aetna is known for its strength in care management, wellness and technology, and its commitment to empowering people to live healthier lives. Our expanded relationship will allow us to enhance our ability to provide multinational companies with the very best in employee benefit packages.”

Elsewhere in the world, Aetna is partnering with government and corporations in the Middle East, according to Dr Saif AlJaibeji, vice-president of government relations for the firm in the Middle East and North Africa. The company was recently appointed as one of two sub-contractors for Qatar’s National Health Insurance Company, and is currently in discussions with health regulators in Dubai, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia about business potential in those countries.

Meanwhile, in related news, Aetna has named Tim Cocchi as country manager for is business in Hong Kong, where he will be responsible for sales and account management for the company’s growing business in Hong Kong and Macau, as well as providing general management guidance. Larry Hartshorn, Aetna International’s interim general manager for Greater China, commented on the appointment: “We’re pleased that Tim will be leading our dynamic team in Hong Kong, which is an important growth area for Aetna. With his deep industry knowledge and years of experience in countries around the world, Tim will help us further expand our role as a major provider of individual and group healthcare benefits plans for expatriates and local nationals.”