The Year 2000 Program Office has been established, staffed and is in full operation. We have created and are using a risk management and reporting tool for rigorous project management. All of our business and technical applications are being assessed and prioritized and we are proceeding with code remediation and testing. We have developed an evaluation model for external relationships, including real estate. We are in the process of inventorying and prioritizing our external relationships and are devising action plans for critical relationships which monitor the adequacy of their own internal Year 2000 plans and progress.
Progress reporting to senior management is ongoing.
An Intranet website keeps project team members and other employees informed and aware of Year 2000 tasks and progress. Contingency Plans - Aetna is developing a wide range of contingency plans which cover all operational areas. As part of our contingency planning, we have reviewed all of our operations, and are assessing our risks and prioritizing our needs. In addition, we are taking appropriate steps to identify potential problems that may exist with the readiness of our most important business partners and to monitor their progress in resolving them. Financial Impact - Management is committed to providing whatever resources are necessary to make certain Aetna's systems and operations are uninterrupted due to system malfimction or inability of critical vendors to perform as contracted.