American Health to Provide Demand Management for Emerald Health Network.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BW HealthWire)--March 4, 2002

American Health Holding, Inc., a dual-URAC accredited, national medical management firm based in Westerville, Ohio, announces that it will provide Demand Management services to Emerald Health Network, a PPO based in Cleveland, Ohio.

American Health's Demand Management program offers Emerald's members free health information via a toll-free, 24/7 nurse hotline, an 1,100-topic Health Information Library and steerage to in-network providers. Callers have the options of accessing an extensive Health Information Library, speaking directly to a Registered Nurse for counseling or advice, or asking for referrals to in-network providers and community services. The program is based on the premise that informed patients make better and more cost-effective health care decisions. Emerald benefits from a private-labeled, proactive service that leads to fewer emergency room and physician visits, and ultimately reduced costs.

"We're excited to offer this program to Emerald Health Network," says Michael J. Reidelbach, President and CEO of American Health. "We know this product will be greatly appreciated by Emerald's members, and will make an invaluable addition to Emerald's cost-containment program."

"Emerald understands the value of American Health's demand management program, especially at a time when consumers are being asked to become more responsible for the cost of their healthcare." says Les Reade, Senior Vice President for Care Management and Product Development at Emerald Health.

ABOUT EMERALD HEALTH NETWORK:

Emerald Health was founded in 1983 by several Cleveland corporations, physicians, and hospitals. Emerald Health's goal is to provide cost effective, high quality healthcare delivery. Now one of the largest PPOs in Ohio, Emerald Health's network includes more than 175 hospitals, 20,000 physicians locations and 1,800 ancillary sites throughout Ohio, western Pennsylvania, northern Kentucky and eastern Indiana. The Emerald Health Network delivers fee schedules, per diems, ASG pricing and other cost containment packages, care management and specialty programs designed to provide members with quality medical care while maintaining cost-effective rates. Visit their Website: www.emeraldhealth.com.

ABOUT AMERICAN HEALTH HOLDING, INC.:

Founded in 1992, American Health is a full-service medical management firm providing Utilization Management, Case Management, Demand Management, Disease Management, Out-of-Network Repricing, Referral Authorization and a maternal newborn program. A focus on an ISuite of products, customer-centric flexibility and unparalleled quality of service are among the distinctions that have resulted in American Health's positioning as a leader in the medical management community. Current ISuite products include Internet-based Precertification, Out-of-Network Repricing and Disease Management. 2nd quarter 2002 ISuite expansion includes Condition Management, Case Management and Demand Management. For more information about American Health Holding, visit their Website: www.AmericanHealthHolding.com.