AMERIHEALTH ENHANCES ALTERNATIVE HEALTH PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS

WILMINGTON, DE (September 7, 2000)--AmeriHealth today announced that it has signed a contract with American Specialty Health Networks, Inc. to provide its 312,000 members throughout New Jersey and Delaware access to a national network of credentialed complementary and alternative health practitioners.

"AmeriHealth has recognized its members' call for more choice and for access to care beyond traditional medicine," stated G. Fred DiBona, Jr., Chairman and CEO of AmeriHealth. "After careful research, we are very pleased with our selection of American Specialty Health Networks, an acknowledged leader in complementary and alternative medicine, to provide our members with substantive, value-added services."

AmeriHealth members now have access to American Specialty Health Networks' credentialed network of acupuncturists, registered dietitians and massage therapists. Participating practitioners in New Jersey and Delaware have agreed to offer AmeriHealth members a 25% discount off their usual and customary fees. AmeriHealth members who see a participating practitioner located in Pennsylvania's Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, Berks, Montgomery, Delaware, Lehigh, Northampton or Lancaster counties will receive a preferred discount of 30%. Nationally, members have access to discounts of up to 25%. Under this program, members will make appointments directly with practitioners and also pay them directly for their services.

In addition to AmeriHealth's existing regional network of fitness centers, AmeriHealth members will now have access to American Specialty Health Networks' nationwide network of health and fitness facilities, International Fitness Club Network (IFCN). Members will be provided the lowest membership rate for the type of membership selected. As an added plus, participating clubs will allow new members to try their facility at no charge for a week prior to joining (subject to space availability).

American Specialty Health and Wellness, Inc. an American Specialty Health Network affiliate, offers a comprehensive Internet strategy for complementary and alternative health products and services to AmeriHealth members. American Specialty Health and Wellness is linked to AmeriHealth's web site www.amerihealth.com, and offers:

• Educational Resources : one of the most comprehensive Internet sources of educational information on complementary and alternative healthcare.
• Health and Wellness Products : over 1,200 health and wellness products at preferred discounts, including free shipping on all orders for AmeriHealth members.
• Practitioner Directory: online directory of complementary and alternative health practitioners and fitness clubs across the nation contracted with American Specialty Health Networks. Members will be able to quickly and easily locate a participating alternative health practitioner anywhere in the country. Members can also obtain travel instructions from this web site.

"Complementary and alternative healthcare is one of healthcare's most rapidly growing areas and hotly demanded by consumers," says George DeVries, President and CEO of American Specialty Health Networks. "We are pleased to partner with AmeriHealth to provide their network access programs as well as cutting edge Internet and e-commerce solutions."

American Specialty Health Networks provides network access programs and managed care programs nationwide to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups and trust funds. Its affiliate, American Specialty Health Plans, Inc. is the nation's first and largest health plan for chiropractic and acupuncture services, operating in California.

American Specialty Health Networks and American Specialty Health Plans provide comprehensive services including utilization management, quality management, member and provider services, claims and credentialing. They have received seven full two-year accreditations from the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission /URAC. Based in San Diego, they have over 500 employees and cover over 17 million members nationwide.

AmeriHealth continually seeks to enhance the services and programs offered to its 312,000 members in New Jersey and Delaware. The addition of a nationwide network of credentialed alternative health practitioners with preferred pricing is just one of the many value-added services offered by AmeriHealth.

www.amerihealth.com