American Specialty Health's New Benefits Program Makes Fitness Club Membership More Affordable.

Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2002

American Specialty Health, the nation's leading specialty benefits company focused on complementary health care, today announced the launch of a Fitness Club Benefit designed to provide participating health plan members affordable access to a network of high-quality fitness clubs.

The program will be effective Jan. 1, 2003 as either a group-sponsored supplemental plan or included in basic medical plans offered by health plans.

"The health risk posed by physical inactivity is almost as high as risk factors such as cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol," said Dr. Douglas Metz, American Specialty Health's Chief Health Services Officer. "Exercise is instrumental in achieving a healthy lifestyle, yet many people are inactive due to lack of time and access to quality facilities. While it's up to each individual to make the time, we can do our part by offering affordable access to convenient and comfortable fitness clubs nationwide."

With the Fitness Club Benefit, participating health plan members have access to a network of contracted fitness clubs. All health clubs in the network are required to meet the Health and Safety Standards established by both the American College of Sports Medicine and the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association.

The new Fitness Club Benefit is part of American Specialty Health's unique portfolio of products that provide an integrated approach to better health. Collectively, these programs are being hailed as the "next generation" of programs to help consumers direct their own personal health care.

"We're helping to empower consumers with the tools needed to take better care of themselves and create healthier habits," said Dr. Metz.

Based in San Diego, American Specialty Health and its affiliates provide specialty benefit plans, educational programs and affinity discount programs nationwide to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, trust funds, and consumers. Its services include quality management, member and provider services, claims administration, clinical services management, and credentialing. Its affiliate American Specialty Health Plans(R) of California Inc. (ASHP) is the nation's first and largest specialty health plan for chiropractic and acupuncture services, operating in California.

American Specialty Health has over 490 employees and covers more than nine million members in benefit programs and over 60 million members in affinity and discount programs nationwide. In recent years, the company has also been awarded full URAC accreditation for the quality of its health care operations. American Specialty Health Networks has received accreditation for its chiropractic and acupuncture networks in each of the following five URAC programs: Health Utilization Management, Health Plan, Health Network with Credentialing, Workers' Compensation Utilization Management, and Workers' Compensation Network. In addition, ASHN recently earned URAC accreditation for its massage therapy, dietetics and naturopathy programs.