American Specialty Health Announces New Name for Insurance Subsidiary

San Diego, CA, (March 31, 2003) -- American Specialty Health, Incorporated, the nation's leading complementary health care benefits organization, announced a new name for its insurance company subsidiary. Previously known as Western Diversified Life Insurance Company (WDLIC), the subsidiary's new name, American Specialty Health Insurance Company, has been approved in the state of Illinois, where the subsidiary is domiciled. American Specialty Health is now seeking regulatory approval to change the name in the 39 additional states where the subsidiary is licensed to sell health insurance.

American Specialty Health acquired WDLIC in 2001. The insurance company subsidiary will begin offering fully-insured supplemental complementary health care benefit programs directly to employers during 2003, making American Specialty Health an industry pioneer. As a result, employers whose health plans do not offer options such as acupuncture, chiropractic, dietetic counseling, massage therapy or vitamins and minerals will be able to purchase insurance coverage for these benefits directly.

"The name change is an important step toward promoting greater synergy and consistency among our complementary health programs," said George DeVries, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of American Specialty Health. "As the market leader in complementary health care, brand recognition is critical to building awareness among employers, health plans, and members."

Based in San Diego, American Specialty Health and its subsidiaries provide specialty benefit, educational, and affinity discount programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide. Its affiliate American Specialty Health Plans® of California, Inc., which operates in California, is the nation's first and largest specialty health plan for chiropractic and acupuncture services. American Specialty Health has nearly 500 employees and covers more than 16 million members nationwide under the benefit programs available through its subsidiaries. For more information about American Specialty Health, visit its Web site at www.ashcompanies.com.