American Specialty Health to Provide 400,000 Colorado Health Plan Members with Chiropractic, Fitness Affinity Program

Beginning April 1, 2005, an ASH Affinity Program, which provides discounts for visits to chiropractors and the lowest available rates at fitness clubs contracted with ASH subsidiary, American Specialty Health Networks, Inc. (ASH Networks), will become available to nearly 400,000 Kaiser Permanente Colorado members in the Denver and Boulder, Colo., areas. An ASH Affinity Program providing discounts on chiropractic, massage therapy, and acupuncture visits and lowest available membership rates at contracted fitness clubs will be available to nearly 37,000 additional Kaiser Permanente members in the Colorado Springs, Colo., area.

The ASH Affinity Program is not insurance. The program provides discount complementary health care services from participating providers of chiropractic and acupuncture services, as well access to best available prices for memberships from participating fitness clubs.

In addition to discounts for participating providers and the lowest available membership rates at fitness clubs contracted with ASH Networks, the ASH Premium Affinity Program under this new contract includes discounts on health and wellness products available from ASH subsidiary, Healthyroads, Inc. Through Healthyroads, Inc., participating Kaiser Permanente members will also have access to Web-based health assessment tools, trackers, and educational modules and workbooks via Healthyroads.com.

“We look forward to providing our outstanding Affinity services to Kaiser Permanente members in Colorado,” said George DeVries, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of ASH. “ASH is committed to helping Kaiser Permanente members achieve better health through our complementary health care services.”

“Each of us defines ‘total health’ differently,” said Eric France, M.D., chief of preventive medicine at Kaiser Permanente. “Offering these health services and programs is one of the many ways Kaiser Permanente supports each person’s individual efforts to maximize their well-being, to thrive.”

Measured in terms of annual revenues, members/insureds, employees, and contracted health plans, American Specialty Health, Incorporated (ASH) and its subsidiaries—including American Specialty Health Networks, Inc. and Healthyroads, Inc.—comprise the nation’s largest organization for complementary health care benefit programs, health education programs, and health-related products. ASH administers benefit programs for 11.5 million members and discount programs for over 75 million members. In addition to weight management and tobacco cessation, Healthyroads provides wellness programs and other tools to help members get in shape, eat healthier, and achieve positive lifestyle habits. ASH and its subsidiaries are located at 777 Front St., San Diego, Calif. 92101; phone (800) 848-3555.

Kaiser Permanente is a non-profit health plan and the largest private health care provider in Colorado. Kaiser Permanente Colorado has been rated as one of the top 10 accredited health care organizations in the country for clinical quality and cares for more than 438,000 members in the Denver/Boulder and Colorado Springs areas.

Visit ASH online at ASHCompanies.com.