The Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund has selected Aetna as the sole provider of Medicare Advantage PPO plans to retired state employees statewide.

Under the contract, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2010, Blue Bell, Pa.-based Aetna will also be one of three health plans providing Medicare Advantage HMO plans to retired state employees in Southeastern Pennsylvania and select sites outside of the state.

Eric Cormier, head of retiree markets for Aetna in Pennsylvania, said the insurer is “excited to be given an opportunity to expand our participation in this program to include all Commonwealth of Pennsylvania retirees.”

“We are committed to providing superior benefits and service, and we welcome the opportunity to support these retired public servants,” Cormier said in a statement.

Aetna provides health benefits to more than 1.1 million members in Pennsylvania.