A subsidiary of Ace USA has announced its intent to enter a strategic alliance with one of the US' leading diversified health care benefits companies Aetna.

ESIS, a risk management services company of Ace USA, has signed a letter of intent with Aetna.

According to a Business wire report, Aetna will be a preferred provider of health, disability and absence management services to ESIS' clients who purchase integrated disability management services.

The announcement came as ESIS and Aetna prepared to participate in this week's 2007 Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) 45th Annual Conference & Expo in New Orleans.

David Patterson, ESIS president, said: "We constantly look for ways to create additional value for our customers.

"This undertaking combines ESIS' experience as a risk management solutions provider of integrated disability management services with Aetna's strong position as a group health and integrated disability management company.

"To retain their position in the competitive marketplace, today's employers need integrated solutions to help minimise the impact of employee disabilities and absence on workplace productivity and costs.

"The end result for our customers is a seamless, employee-centred approach to benefits delivery."