Avalon Healthcare Signs Contract with Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

Two Hospitals Bring High Quality Care To Avalon's Manatee County Members

TAMPA, Fla. -- Avalon Healthcare, Florida's fast growing statewide individual and group health insurance plan, has signed a provider agreement with Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, announced Charles T. O'Neill, Avalon's Chief Executive Officer. The agreement became effective April 15, 2009. Both hospitals are owned and operated by Universal Healthcare Services, Inc., located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Collectively, the hospitals provide 439 beds in Manatee County.

"A direct relationship with both hospitals creates a more competitive cost structure for Avalon which will result in lower premiums to consumers," O'Neill stated. "The high quality of care provided at each hospital is a big benefit to our Members."

"With the addition of the Manatee Memorial and Lakewood Ranch hospitals, Avalon is getting close to completing our hospital network build-out on the southwest coast of Florida," added O'Neill.

Avalon Healthcare has signed direct contracts with the BayCare Health System in Tampa Bay (nine hospitals), Lee Memorial Hospital System in Lee County (four hospitals), NCH Healthcare System in Naples (two hospitals), Winter Haven Hospital, IASIS Hospital System in Tampa Bay (three hospitals), the University Hospital System in Tampa Bay (three hospitals), Tenet Hospitals located in South Florida (ten hospitals), the North Broward Hospital System (four hospitals), Bethesda Memorial Hospital, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Lake Wales Regional and Bartow Regional Hospital.

Manatee Memorial has served the Manatee County community for over 55 years. The 319-bed acute care facility is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc., one of the largest and most highly respected hospital management companies in the country. Patients have access to over 400 physicians on staff, in addition to associates and consultants, with a broad range of specialties ranging from family medicine to vascular surgery.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center offers patient-focused medicine and is equipped with advanced technology. Located just two miles from I-75 and bridging Manatee and Sarasota counties, the 120-bed acute care hospital has an extensive system of fully-integrated inpatient and outpatient services.

About Universal Health Services Inc.:

Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) is one of the nation's largest and most respected healthcare management companies. Its principal business is owning and operating, through subsidiaries, acute care hospitals, behavioral health centers, surgical hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and radiation oncology centers nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Founded in 1978 by Alan B. Miller, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, the company now employs more than 38,000 people.

The UHS business strategy is to build or purchase healthcare properties in rapidly growing markets and create a strong presence based on exceptional service and cost control. Its success comes from a responsive management style, continuity of senior management and a service philosophy based on quality healthcare at affordable cost, competence and integrity.

About Avalon Healthcare:

Florida based Avalon Healthcare is an innovative health insurance company offering consumer directed health plans to employers and individuals who need high quality, affordable healthcare and live and work in Florida. The Company offers a variety of plan benefits including co-pay plans and HSA compatible plans. Based in Tampa, the Company is quickly becoming one of the most well-respected, quality health plans available statewide. www.avalonhealthcare.com