Aetna is offering new small business health plans in Maryland focused on wellness, which the insurer says is the first of its kind to be offered in the state.

The “Wellness on Us” plans allow people to obtain preventive health care services without being charged a co-pay.

Aetna, which provides health benefits to more than 525,000 members in Maryland, said the plans are part of the insurer’s attempts to encourage members to take advantage of the screenings and other preventive services offered under their health benefit plans.

David Notari

“In these challenging economic times, it’s become increasingly difficult for smaller companies to provide high-quality, affordable plans for their employees,” said David Notari, head of small group sales for Aetna’s Mid-Atlantic region, in a statement. “Employers want to make sure people are getting the full benefit of the plan offerings, particularly the preventive screenings. We’re encouraging both employers and their employees to make full use of these wellness benefits.”

The health insurance industry has for several years been encouraging people to seek care for problems when they are well because preventive services are usually cheaper than the cost of treatment of a more serious injury or condition.

Aetna will offer 27 different plan designs for small-group customers in the state, including HMO, point-of-service and PPO options. Many of the plans also can accommodate a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). The plans also include coverage of prescription drugs.

In 20 of the 27 plans, members will not be charged a co-pay when they visit the doctor for routine vision exams, physicals, well-child visits, gynecological exams and mammograms.

The Aetna plans are designed to encourage people who might not have obtained care because of the cost of the co-payment to seek the preventive care, officials said.

The plans have met with a good response from the industry.

“Brokers are excited about the opportunity a program like ‘Wellness on Us’ brings to their existing and potential customers,” said Joseph N. Seifert III, director of broker sales for Kelly and Associates Insurance Group in Hunt Valley, Md., in a statement. “This is very good news at a time when everyone is watching their bottom line. Our clients will quickly embrace this exciting new concept. This will help keep people healthy while leaving some money in their wallet.”