Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Awarded PPO Accreditation By URAC.

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 26, 2002

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) has been awarded Health Network Accreditation and Health Utilization Management Accreditation for its PPO products by URAC.

In addition, Disease Management Accreditation was granted for all Disease Management Organization programs. These programs include diabetes, congestive heart failure, high-risk pregnancy and secondary cholesterol.

Organizations applying for accreditation participate in a process that entails a rigorous review. Detailed surveys occur and meticulous standards must be met which are designed to evaluate clinical and administrative systems. Applicants who successfully meet all requirements are awarded a full two-year accreditation.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia remains the only health plan in Georgia awarded Health Network Accreditation by URAC. "As Georgia's largest health insurer, BCBSGA is committed to providing quality and affordable health plans. We are pleased to receive this validation and recognition of our efforts from URAC," said Dr. Wayne Hoffman, vice president and corporate medical director. "URAC's Health Network accreditation is the premier accreditation program for PPOs and similar networks. The Health Network Standards provide a comprehensive assessment of PPO-based networks, covering network management issues, quality management and improvement, provider credentialing, and member protections," Hoffman added.

URAC is a leader in the accreditation of health and managed care organization. Founded in 1990, URAC currently offers 14 accreditation programs that span a broad spectrum of health care services. URAC has issued over 2,300 accreditation certificates to more than 500 health care programs. URAC-accredited organizations do business in all 50 states and provide services to more than 150 million Americans.

Garry Carneal, URAC President and CEO, said, "By applying for and receiving URAC accreditation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care. Quality health care is crucial to our nation's welfare and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards."

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, serving more than 2.2 million medical members, is the oldest and largest health benefits company in Georgia. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is an operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., one of the nation's largest publicly traded health care companies serving the health care needs of more than 13 million medical members and approximately 46 million specialty members nationally. WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of quality network-based health products including open access PPO, POS and hybrid products, HMO and specialty products. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management, dental, utilization management, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration, and Medicare supplements. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia may be found on the web at www.bcbsga.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.