Blue Cross of California Introduces a Short-Term Health Plan; Health and Financial Security for Those in Need of Immediate Coverage for a Temporary Period of Time.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2002

Blue Cross of California (Blue Cross) introduces a new individual and family Short-Term Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan offered through BC Life & Health Insurance Company, an affiliate of Blue Cross of California. The Short-Term PPO Plan is an affordable health insurance option for those seeking immediate coverage for a temporary period of time, or as interim coverage while waiting for an individual policy to be issued. This type of plan may appeal to people such as displaced or transitional employees, recent college graduates and others temporarily without insurance or waiting for permanent coverage.

The Short-Term PPO Plan offers continual coverage from 30 to 185 days. An individual chooses to begin or terminate their coverage on any day of the month. Premiums are based on a per member, per day rate and are paid in a single premium payment. Cost of premiums may vary according to location and plan selection.

Deductibles for the Short-Term PPO Plan, or the amount the insured must pay before the health insurance company begins paying for covered services, range from $250 to $2000. The plan covers an array of comprehensive benefits and services that may include emergency care, hospitalization, prescription drugs and preventive health programs. Members have access to one of the largest PPO networks in California with more than 46,000 physicians and 450 hospitals statewide.

"We want to give temporarily uninsured individuals and families a convenient and affordable option for obtaining financial and health security," said Stephen Synott, general manager of individual services for Blue Cross of California. "The new Short-Term PPO Plan will offer immediate protection against losses that might take place due to an unexpected injury or illness."

For more information on the Short-Term PPO Plan, individuals can contact their local agent, call 800-777-6000 or visit http://www.bluecrossca.com.

Blue Cross of California and its California affiliates, with more than 6.8 million medical members, is an operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc. (NYSE:WLP), one of the nation's largest publicly traded health care companies. WellPoint serves the health care needs of more than 13 million medical members and approximately 46.6 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 of California may be found on the web at www.bluecrossca.com. Blue Cross of California is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association.