Aetna to add 225 jobs to Fresno office

Aetna health insurance company announced Monday it plans to add up to 225 new jobs to its Fresno office by the end of 2017.

The positions, which include call agents, customer service and appeals representatives, will support the company’s operations for commercial and Medicare members, the Hartford, Conn.-based company said.

By this time next year, Aetna is expected to close its acquisition of Humana, based in Louisville, Ky., making it a larger player in the Medicare business.

Aetna now has 770 Fresno employees operating out of a 122,640-square-foot building at 1385 Shaw Ave., between Fashion Fair Mall and Fresno State. The building will be upgraded with new furniture and equipment to accommodate the new employees.

“We look forward to continuing to be a strong corporate citizen and employer of choice in this community,” said Linda Machado, head of service operations in Fresno. “Adding new jobs will positively contribute to the area’s economy as well as our company’s service operations, so it’s a win-win situation.”

The Fresno facility is Aetna’s only service operations center in California. Its sales offices are in other states. California Competes, a state income tax credit, will be used to support Aetna’s expansion plans in Fresno.

“We are thrilled that Aetna will soon add 225 new jobs to their Fresno office over the next few years,” said Mayor Ashley Swearengin in a news release. “It’s been a pleasure to work with the company during the expansion process, which we believe highlights the positive, business-friendly environment that Fresno strives to foster with employers.”

This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Aetna to add 225 jobs to Fresno office."