News

Geisinger Health Plan to Offer New Chiropractic Benefit through American Specialty Health

San Diego, CA (June 16, 2003) -- American Specialty Health Networks (ASH Networks) today announced an agreement with Geisinger Health Plan to provide a new supplemental group rider for chiropractic benefits in central and northeastern Pennsylvania.

Effective July 1, 2003, Geisinger Health Plan members with the rider can directly access chiropractic benefits from contracted providers in the ASH Networks provider network without a referral from their primary care physician. ASH Networks operates a network of more than 1,000 chiropractors in Pennsylvania. The benefit plan includes a variety of member copayments and up to 15 annual office visits.

"Many Americans now use some form of complementary health care each year–chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, vitamins or herbal supplements," says George DeVries, president and CEO of ASH Networks. "We're pleased to support the efforts of Geisinger Health Plan to provide their members with a top-notch chiropractic benefit program."

"Offering employers a choice in chiropractic coverage is our goal," explains Michael Morucci, Geisinger Health Plan's vice president of marketing and sales. "This new rider offers a broad provider network and coverage without a referral–"the first direct access chiropractic rider offered by an HMO in the state."

Begun in 1985, Geisinger Health Plan, the nation's largest rural HMO, serves nearly 240,000 members in 38 counties throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania.

ASH Networks is a subsidiary of American Specialty Health, Incorporated (ASH). Through its subsidiaries, ASH Incorporated provides complementary health care benefit, affinity network and health education programs nationwide to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups and trust funds. ASH Networks' affiliate American Specialty Health Plans of California, Inc. operates in California and is the nation's first and largest health plan for chiropractic and acupuncture. ASH Networks has been awarded full accreditation by the American Accreditation Healthcare Commission/URAC for its chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, dietetics and naturopathy programs. Based in San Diego with more than 500 employees, ASH Incorporated and its subsidiaries cover more than 10 million members in benefit programs nationwide.