Dekalb PHO Joins Blue Cross HMO/POS Network.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 2003

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) and its health plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia (BCBSHP) announced that 41 of the 61 physicians primary care physicians (PCPs)

The 41 primary care physicians are all members of the Dekalb Physicians Hospital Organization, often referred to as Dekalb PHO.

In addition, 68 of the 163 specialists affected by the Promina termination have also joined the BCBSHP HMO/POS network through the Dekalb PHO.

"This is good news for 20,000 HMO/POS members affected by the earlier announced termination," said Charlie Harman, vice president for external affairs. "We are sharing the good news in letters to these members today and informing them that there will be no reason for them to consider changing their PCP."

This action by Dekalb PHO does not affect the five hospitals under contract with Promina Health Systems that, effective September 1, 2003, will no longer participate in the BCBSHP HMO/POS network. The five hospitals are: Decatur Hospital, Dekalb Medical Center, Gwinnett Medical Center, Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital and Southern Regional Medical Center.

A complete list of the 109 physician members of Dekalb PHO is posted on the Blue Cross Web site at www.bcbsga.com.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) and its health plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia serve more than 2.3 million medical members. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is the oldest and largest health benefits company in Georgia. The Company is an operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., one of the nation's largest publicly traded health care companies serving the health care needs of more than 13.3 million medical members and more than 49 million specialty members nationally. WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of quality network-based health products including open access PPO, POS and hybrid products, HMO and specialty products. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management, dental, medical management, vision, behavorial health, life and disability insurance, long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration, and Medicare supplements. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia may be found on the web at www.bcbsga.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.