Concentra Operating Corporation Reports Third Quarter Results; Company Announces Two Pending Acquisitions.

Business Editors

ADDISON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2001

Concentra Operating Corporation ("Concentra") today announced results for the third quarter and nine-month period ended September 30, 2001. Continuing the positive growth trends achieved in the first half of 2001, the Company reported $36,851,000 in EBITDA during the third quarter, which represented an 11% increase when compared to the prior year. Separately, Concentra announced that it has reached agreements in principle to acquire National Health Resources, Inc. and Health Network Systems LLC -- both privately held companies -- in transactions having a combined value of approximately $172 million.

Concentra reported a 9% increase in third quarter revenue, which rose to $209,226,000 from $192,764,000 in the same period last year. Operating income increased 16% to $26,198,000 versus $22,515,000 for the third quarter of 2000. The net loss for the quarter was $3,837,000 compared with net income of $805,000 in the year-earlier period. During the quarter, net income was affected by a non-cash decline of $13,473,000 in the fair value of Concentra's hedging instruments.

Revenue for the first nine months of 2001 increased 10% to $619,233,000 compared with $564,208,000 for the same period during the prior year. Operating income increased 16% to $71,903,000 versus $62,100,000 for the first nine months of 2000. Net loss for the first nine months of 2001 was $428,000 compared with net income of $3,017,000 in the year-earlier period.

Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA"), as computed in a manner consistent with the definition set forth in the Company's $190 million Series A Senior Subordinated Notes, increased 11% to $36,851,000 in the third quarter of 2001 versus $33,104,000 in the same quarter last year. For the first nine months of 2001, EBITDA also increased 11% to $103,402,000 from $92,768,000 during the prior year.

Commenting on the announcement, Daniel J. Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Concentra, said, "We are pleased to report ongoing growth during the third quarter, as Concentra continued to produce higher revenue and cash flows. This performance was particularly gratifying considering the weaker economic environment that prevailed during the quarter. Although these economic conditions slowed the growth of our Health Services business, Network Services demonstrated significant increases as compared to the prior year. We believe these results clearly demonstrate the benefits of our diversified sources of revenues and cash flows."

As has been the case throughout 2001, Concentra's growing EBITDA and focus on working capital management continued to be a key driver in the Company's ability to achieve increasing cash flows from operations. For the nine months ending September 30, 2001, Concentra produced $48,706,000 in positive cash flow from operations as compared to $10,297,000 generated during the same period last year. As a result of these stronger operating cash flows, Concentra had no borrowings outstanding under its $100,000,000 revolving credit facility at the end of the third quarter.

The Company also announced two significant acquisitions which it said would be financed primarily through the issuance of new equity in Concentra's parent corporation, Concentra Inc. The larger of the two transactions involves New York City-based National Healthcare Resources, Inc. ("NHR"). NHR has estimated 2001 revenue of roughly $150 million and EBITDA approaching $19 million, and provides competitive care management and network services to the workers' compensation and auto industries on a national level. The second transaction involves the acquisition of Health Network Systems LLC ("HNS"), founded in 1999 and headquartered in Naperville, Illinois. HNS has expected 2001 revenue of approximately $5 million and provides complementary network services such as provider bill re-pricing and provider data management for health plans and other payors working with multiple Preferred Provider Organization networks.

The Company stated that it will be acquiring NHR for approximately $141 million and HNS for roughly $31 million. Funding for the acquisitions will be provided through the issuance of approximately $132.5 million in new equity, composed of an $82.5 million exchange of Concentra Inc. shares for outstanding NHR shares and a $50 million issuance of new equity to Concentra's current stockholders, including the Company's lead equity sponsor, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. The balance of the acquisition costs will be provided from Concentra's cash on hand and approximately $20 million in borrowings under its revolving line of credit.

The acquisitions are subject to the completion of definitive acquisition agreements, obtaining required corporate and regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions. Concentra has received the consent of its senior lenders to undertake the acquisitions and expects to close them in November 2001.

"We believe these acquisitions will both increase Concentra's immediate earnings and cash flows as well as position us for increased future growth," said Thomas. "NHR brings depth to our existing Network Services and Care Management offerings. In particular, its market position with auto insurers will assist Concentra in expanding its services to this important payor group. Additionally, we believe NHR's strengths in the network, bill re-pricing and independent medical exams arenas clearly complement and strengthen those of Concentra.

"Our acquisition of HNS also clearly expands Concentra's opportunities for increased growth," he continued. "Although it is a relatively young company, HNS has already established itself as an important provider of bill re-pricing, data management and network management services in the Group Health market. During the past year, through an existing joint-marketing arrangement, we have benefited directly from the bill volumes which HNS directs into our out-of-network bill review services. Through this acquisition, we believe that we will not only benefit from the strong growth which HNS is demonstrating with its services, but we will also continue to experience the positive effects of increased bill referral volumes into our traditional out-of-network products."

The Company noted that since these planned transactions are structured largely around the issuance of new equity, they are expected to result in reduced leverage on both a pro-forma and prospective basis. Concentra also estimates that it will achieve approximately $5 to $10 million in cost synergies from the NHR acquisition.

Thomas also said that the Company will retain the NHR senior management, including its President, Chris Garcia, following the acquisition. "NHR is recognized as a leading service provider in the workers' compensation and auto marketplace, a characteristic that reflects both the quality of the services it provides as well as the skill and leadership qualities of its management team. We are delighted by the prospects of NHR's executive management continuing to play an important role in the ongoing growth of our combined businesses. With a vision and business philosophy similar to our own, they will add depth to our management structure and provide key leadership as we work to integrate our companies."

Concentra Operating Corporation, the successor to and a wholly owned subsidiary of Concentra Inc., is the comprehensive outsource solution for containing healthcare and disability costs. Serving the occupational, auto and group healthcare markets, Concentra provides employers, insurers and payors with a series of integrated services which include employment-related injury and occupational health care, in-network and out-of-network medical claims review and re-pricing, access to specialized preferred provider organizations, first notice of loss services, case management and other cost containment services. As of September 30, 2001, Concentra's Health Services division operated 229 occupational health centers across 70 markets in 32 states.

A public, listen-only simulcast of Concentra's third quarter conference call will begin at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time tomorrow (October 26, 2001) and may be accessed via the Company's web site, http://www.concentra.com. Investors are requested to access the call at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time in order to complete a brief registration form and receive an access password. Listening via the Internet requires Windows Media Player Version 7, which may be downloaded free of charge from the Company's website. An online replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the live broadcast using the same link and will continue through November 26, 2001.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, which the Company is making in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the potential adverse impact of governmental regulation on the Company's operations, interruption in its data processing capabilities, operational financing and strategic risks related to the Company's capital structure and growth strategy, possible fluctuations in quarterly and annual operations, possible legal liability for adverse medical consequences, competitive pressures, adverse changes in market conditions for the Company's services, and dependence on key management personnel. Additional factors include those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                    CONCENTRA OPERATING CORPORATION
                     a wholly owned subsidiary of
                            CONCENTRA INC.
            Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
                            (in thousands)

                        Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                           September 30,             September 30,
                      ----------------------    ----------------------
                         2001         2000         2001         2000
                      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
REVENUE:
  Health Services     $ 111,584    $ 105,696    $ 327,580    $ 302,960
  Network Services       45,169       39,078      132,845      118,859
  Care Management
    Services             52,473       47,990      158,808      142,389
                      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
     Total revenue      209,226      192,764      619,233      564,208

COST OF SERVICES:
  Health Services        88,160       82,299      260,270      239,407
  Network Services       25,735       25,804       79,283       76,180
  Care Management
    Services             46,751       42,308      139,310      126,294
                      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
     Total cost of
       services         160,646      150,411      478,863      441,881
                      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
     Total gross
       profit            48,580       42,353      140,370      122,327

General and
  administrative
  expenses               18,557       16,149       57,152       49,314
Amortization of
  intangibles             3,825        3,689       11,315       10,913
                      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
     Operating
       income            26,198       22,515       71,903       62,100

Interest expense,
  net                    16,564       17,753       50,227       51,489
Loss on fair
  value of hedging
  arrangements           13,473        1,818       16,553        2,764
Other, net                  307         (140)         612         (263)
                      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Income (loss) before
  income taxes           (4,146)       3,084        4,511        8,110
Provision (benefit)
  for income taxes         (309)       2,279        4,939        5,093
                      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Net income (loss)     $  (3,837)   $     805    $    (428)   $   3,017
                      =========    =========    =========    =========

      Prior-year revenue and cost of services have been reclassified to
conform to the Company's current reporting of business segments.

                    CONCENTRA OPERATING CORPORATION
                     a wholly owned subsidiary of
                            CONCENTRA INC.
                 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                            (in thousands)

                                               Sept. 30,    Dec. 31,
                                                 2001         2000
                                              ---------    ---------
                                             (unaudited)
                       ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents                   $  14,709    $   6,549
  Accounts receivable, net                      170,594      160,418
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets      28,978       24,679
                                              ---------    ---------
    Total current assets                        214,281      191,646

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET                     108,717      109,110

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET       329,219      323,162

OTHER ASSETS                                     32,728       32,937
                                              ---------    ---------
                                              $ 684,945    $ 656,855
                                              =========    =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Revolving credit facility                   $    --      $    --
  Current portion of long-term debt               5,264        5,228
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses          78,932       70,189
                                              ---------    ---------
    Total current liabilities                    84,196       75,417

LONG-TERM DEBT, NET                             553,187      556,334

LONG-TERM DEFERRED TAX AND OTHER
  LIABILITIES                                    52,353       51,589

FAIR VALUE OF HEDGING ARRANGEMENTS               26,139        9,586

STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)                  (30,930)     (36,071)
                                              ---------    ---------
                                              $ 684,945    $ 656,855
                                              =========    =========