Ben R. Leedle, Jr. New CEO Of American Healthways; Changing of the Guard, Appointment to Board of Directors Concludes Two-Year Succession Plan.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2003

American Healthways today announced that, as anticipated, Ben R. Leedle, Jr., officially succeeded Thomas G. Cigarran as chief executive officer effective Sept. 1, 2003, and has been elected to the Company's Board of Directors.

Leedle's new role was announced in June. He became a member of the Board of Directors after a unanimous vote by the Board at its Aug. 27 meeting. Cigarran stepped down after 15 years as CEO of the Company he helped found. He will continue as American Healthways' chairman.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen to lead American Healthways during this time of tremendous growth and success," Leedle said. "As an industry leader and as the nation's leading provider of care enhancement programs, American Healthways is fully engaged in and committed to providing viable solutions to the country's health care challenges, and I welcome the opportunity to lead it in its next chapter of success."

Leedle, 42, was named chief operating officer in 2001 and was appointed president in May 2002. He will continue as the Company's president in addition to his new role as CEO. Leedle joined American Healthways in 1985, and has held increasingly responsible positions in both operations and business development. In 1994, American Healthways selected Leedle to head the design, development, sales and operations of its health plan business segment that, under his direction, has made American Healthways the industry leader and now provides approximately 90 percent of the Company's revenues and profits. As the guiding force behind this program, Leedle continues to serve as a close contact for American Healthways' key strategic relationships.

Cigarran, who has served as AMHC's CEO since 1988, and its president from 1981 to 2002, advised the Board about two years ago of his desire to step down. The transition was dependent on the Company's trajectory toward success being clearly established and on Leedle, the leader identified to take the Company to the next level of success, being fully prepared to do so. Both were completed on schedule.

"American Healthways' consistent ability to provide value for its customers and shareholders reflects Ben's talent, drive and strategic vision," Cigarran said. "Throughout his 18 years with the Company, Ben has demonstrated both the leadership and the operational skill needed to assure the Company is always positioned to anticipate and deliver against opportunities and market demand. He has earned the full support and confidence of the management team, and is fully prepared to lead American Healthways successfully into the future."

About American Healthways

American Healthways (AMHC) is the nation's leading and largest provider of specialized, comprehensive disease management and care enhancement services to health plans, physicians, medical management organizations and hospitals. The Company's programs have been reviewed and approved for clinical excellence by Johns Hopkins and have been certified or accredited by the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA), the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO), and the American Accreditation Healthcare Commission (URAC). American Healthways has contracts to provide disease and care management programs to 844,000 equivalent lives in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. The Company also operates diabetes management programs in hospitals nationwide. For more information visit www.americanhealthways.com.