ADVISORY/Senator Williams and Representative Taylor to Address New Legislation Affecting the Uninsured.

News Editors/Health/Medical Writers

ADVISORY...for Wednesday (Feb. 4)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

UNICARE Life & Health Insurance Company (UNICARE) to Announce

the First Consumer Choice Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

Plans for Individuals and Families in Texas

Who:          UNICARE serves approximately 1.7 million medical members
              and is the national operating subsidiary of WellPoint
              Health Networks Inc., one of the nation's largest
              publicly traded health care companies.

              Senator Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands)
              Representative Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood)

What:         UNICARE will host a press conference to announce the
              launch of its new Consumer Choice Preferred Provider
              (PPO) health plans for individuals and families, a more
              affordable and basic level of health care coverage
              previously unavailable in the state of Texas.

              Senator Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) and
              Representative Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood), who
              authored and sponsored the Texas Consumer Choice of
              Benefits Act (SB 541), will speak about reducing the
              number of uninsured in the state.

When:         Wednesday, February 4th, 2004, at 11:30 a.m. CST.

Where:        Austin, Texas. State Capitol, Speaker's Committee Room.
               2W.6

              The Feb. 4 news conference can be viewed live at:
               www.house.state.tx.us/media

              The news conference will be archived for 30 days and may
              be viewed after the event at:
               www.house.state.tx.us/media/press.htm

Media Angles:
              --  The proportion of people without health insurance
                  was reported highest in Texas at approximately 24
                  percent, compared to the national average of 16
                  percent

              --  New legislation, SB 541, enabled UNICARE to rework
                  traditional benefits and offer the first Consumer
                  Choice PPO plans for individuals and families in
                  Texas

Visuals:      Photo opportunities during and after press conference.