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Health Net Federal Services Meets Target Enrollments for Government's Disease Management Program

Posted on: Friday, 11 July 2008, 09:01 CDT

Health Net Federal Services, LLC (Health Net), the government operations division of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT), today announced it has enrolled more than 26,000 TRICARE patients in the unified Disease Management Program established in partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) in September 2006 for the TRICARE Program. TRICARE Program enhancements were put in place to continue to improve the quality of military health care services and to manage increasing health care costs. The TRICARE Program is the DoD's health care plan for active duty, retired service members, and their families.

"Health Net Federal Services is proud to have made personal contact with each and every beneficiary enrolled in these programs," said Steve Tough, president, Health Net Federal Services. "This is the first step to providing a customized disease management program that educates and empowers patients to participate in and make informed decisions about their health care."

Proper disease management can help prevent disease-related complications and reduce the risk of future significant health problems. Health Net's program offers a unique approach to disease management, providing a team of health care professionals, including disease specialists, dieticians, registered nurses and social workers to support each patient's individual needs. The addition of a social worker is a critical component, as it is common for patients with unmanaged chronic conditions to develop depression, hindering the ability to effectively manage their health care. Health Net's Preventive Care Services team works with each patient to help them learn how to monitor, regulate and control their disease through practicing self-management, regular screenings, medication, diet and exercise, and effective communication with medical professionals.

Following are excerpts from comments Health Net received from beneficiaries enrolled in the Disease Management Program sharing how Health Net's unique approach to disease management through education and empowerment changed their lives.

The health care professional I spoke with was extremely knowledgeable and truly tailored our visits to help me better understand my diabetes. Her suggestions and support made me feel much more empowered to deal with and understand my body. I found this program helped me be more aware and truly participate in my wellness. - Nancee M., Virginia

I have been a diabetic for 20+ years. I didn't realize how much I had strayed from eating right and taking proper care of myself. My nurse has turned my life around. ... My nurse has also helped me with other health problems. She has made me aware that my problems are as important as my loved ones. - Billie D., Kentucky

Your program is fantastic! Jean was my main provider and not only was she knowledgeable, but introduced me to other professionals who assisted me with dieting, problem solving, etc. At the beginning I could hardly walk two feet and had to use electronic carts to shop. Now I zip right along from aisle to aisle. It's made a great difference in my life. - Helene J., New York

I truly believed I knew most of the information regarding heart failure because I've been going through it so long, but I was very wrong. Not only was I taught vital information, but I received it in a manner that did not make me feel foolish. Your agents are wonderful and take the time to care about us. Thank you!!! - Cheryl F., Missouri

The Asthma Education Program was structured in such a way as to provide easy implementation of a planned program of tracking and improvement. New information was passed on through a "phone call mentor" who had real experience and background in asthma procedures and provided solutions to my needs and questions. Good job TRICARE. - David H., Ohio

I learned a lot from this program. Mariah was very knowledgeable, patient and helped me to understand asthma and my medication. Because of her I knew what questions to ask my doctors and what worked best for me. I went from needing my inhalers four to six times a day, to needing it once in the last month! I went from an 18 percent to a 63 percent lung improvement! - Deborah F., Maryland

Health Net has reached target enrollments established by the DoD in the Asthma, Congestive Heart Failure and Diabetes Programs.

About Health Net Federal Services

Health Net Federal Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc., has a long history of providing cost-effective, quality managed health care programs for government agencies including the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. As the managed care support contractor for the TRICARE North Region, Health Net provides health care services to over 3 million uniformed services beneficiaries, active and retired, and their families.

Health Net, Inc. is among the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company's health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.8 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net's behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to approximately 6.9 million individuals in all 50 states. The company's subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the company's Web site at http://www.healthnet.com/. For more information on Health Net Federal Services, please visit http://www.healthnetfederalservices.com/.

Cautionary Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical information provided herein, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's analysis, judgment, belief and expectation only as of the date hereof, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes,""anticipates,""plans,""expects,""may,""should,""could,""estimate,""intend" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to, among other things, rising health care costs, negative prior period claims reserve developments, trends in medical care ratios, unexpected utilization patterns or unexpectedly severe or widespread illnesses, membership declines, rate cuts affecting our Medicare or Medicaid business, issues relating to provider contracts, litigation costs, regulatory issues, operational issues, health care reform and general business conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the "Risk Factors" section included within the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

Source: Business Wire

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