Health Net of Oregon Announces Complementary Health Care Programs Through American Specialty Health ®

Clackamas, OR, (March 21, 2003) -- Health Net of Oregon announced today that it now offers its members a broad-based complementary health care program in Oregon and Washington through American Specialty Health Networks, Inc. (ASH Networks). The program became effective January 1, 2003. Over 74,000 Health Net of Oregon members are eligible for the program.

This multi-tiered program includes benefits for acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy and naturopathy for all commercial members of Health Net. Now, Health Net members may directly access benefits from contracted ASH Networks providers without a referral from their primary care physician. ASH Networks currently has about 1900 chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopaths and licensed massage therapists in Oregon and Washington. In addition, Health Net of Oregon members have access to the Healthyroads for Living education program. The program is offered through Healthyroads, Inc., an affiliate of ASH Networks.

"Healthyroads for Living is a brand new educational program which debuted this year. Health Net members have access to telephone sessions with expert educators and other resources for nutrition and exercise services, disease prevention, weight management and tobacco cessation," said George DeVries, president and chief executive officer of American Specialty Health. "Members may also tap into a wealth of information and resources in these areas, including guidebooks and multimedia modules for mindbody skills, Web-based programs and resources for establishing goals, tracking progress, printing progress reports and purchasing discounted health and wellness products."

In addition to the complementary health care benefits and education programs, Health Net members will also be able to receive discounts on additional chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy services through ASH Networks' affinity program. "If members exhaust their chiropractic and acupuncture benefits, the ASH/Health Net program allows them the opportunity to continue to receive chiropractic and acupuncture services at discounted prices from usual and customary fees," DeVries said. "They may also receive reduced prices on massage therapy services without a provider referral."

Health Net members also receive reduced fees on memberships from fitness clubs that are part of the International Fitness Club network.

"We're pleased to offer these expanded services to our members," says Health Net of Oregon president Stephen Lynch. "Health Net's commitment to its members is to offer them a wide array of products and services to keep them healthy, secure and comfortable."

About Health Net of Oregon

Health Net of Oregon provides group and individual HMO, PPO and Point of Service health insurance coverage to approximately 100,000 members and has one of the region's strongest and most extensive health care networks with approximately 5,000 providers and more than 40 hospitals. The health plan offers complementary care (chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathic medicine and massage therapy services) as a basic benefit in most of its group and some individual and family (IFP) plans. Health Net also offers group prescription drug, vision and dental coverage. For more information about Health Net, visit its Web site at www.healthnetoregon.com.

About American Specialty Health

ASH Networks is a subsidiary of American Specialty Health, Incorporated (ASH Incorporated). Through its subsidiaries, ASH Incorporated provides benefit, affinity and health education programs nationwide to health pl