Mail Handlers Benefit Plan To Offer Supplemental Dental & Vision Plans for Federal Employees; MHBP Extends Supplemental Dental & Vision Plans to All Federal Employees.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. -- First Health, administrator for the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan, announced today that the National Postal Mail Handlers Union and First Health are offering supplemental dental and vision plans, the MHBP Federal Dental Plan and the MHBP Federal Vision Plan, to all federal and postal employees and annuitants.

"We conducted extensive research and found that these benefits are highly desirable and needed, with more than 2/3 of federal employees indicating that they are seeking increased dental and vision coverage," said Susan Fleming, senior vice president, First Health. "By offering supplemental dental and vision policies, we are meeting this need and giving federal and postal employees and annuitants access to additional benefits they want."

First Health initially offered a dental and vision supplemental plan to MHBP members in 2004 and, because of the strong response to that offering, these plans are now being extended to all federal and postal employees and annuitants. The MHBP Federal Dental Plan and the MHBP Federal Vision Plan will be sold in 2005 as "stand alones" and participants can select either or both plans.

The MHBP Federal Dental Plan offers coverage for preventive and basic services with benefits that increase over three years. Services such as cleanings, exams, x-rays, fillings, root canals, oral surgery, crowns and bridges are covered.

The MHBP Federal Vision Plan is available for vision services including wellness care, annual exams, eyeglasses and contacts. The vision supplemental plan also includes discounted rates for laser vision correction and provides members with access to the nation's largest network of eyecare doctors.

More details on the MHBP Federal Dental Plan and MHBP Federal Vision Plan are available on the MHBP website, www.mhbp.com. The Mail Handlers Benefit Plan, open to all federal and postal employees and annuitants, is sponsored by the National Postal Mail Handlers Union and is administered by First Health. First Health, the premier national health-benefits services company, specializes in providing large payors with integrated managed care solutions. First Health is a unique national managed care company serving the group health, workers' compensation and state agency markets. Using technology to enable service and managed care innovations, First Health sets the bar for industry performance. For more information, visit the company website at www.firsthealth.com.