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American Healthways Extends Agreement With Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; Health Plan Expands Diabetes Disease Management Program

Posted on: Monday, 21 November 2005, 12:00 CST

American Healthways Inc., (Nasdaq: AMHC) today announced a two-year extension and expansion of its agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) to provide diabetes disease management services to the health plan's members. The previous three-year agreement to support BCBSMA's high-risk diabetes members will be modified to include all diabetes members and will be extended through September 2007.

"American Healthways has proven to be a valuable partner and a trusted solution in our quest to provide the best possible care for our members with chronic diseases," said Dr. John Fallon, Chief Physician Executive for BCBSMA. "Together, we have made a dramatic impact on the health of our high-risk diabetes members, and we look forward to improving the health of all our members with diabetes."

The relationship between American Healthways and BCBSMA began in 2001 with a four-year contract for congestive heart failure disease management services. That program was recently extended to 2007. Diabetes disease management services for the health plan's high-risk members were added in 2002. In October 2004, BCBSMA signed a three-year contract to provide disease management services to members with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease.

"We are excited to deepen our successful partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts by expanding the number of members we are able to help," said American Healthways President and Chief Executive Officer Ben R. Leedle, Jr. "We are honored that BCBSMA continues to see value in the work we do and that we continue to expand the ways we work together to improve the health of people across the state of Massachusetts."

Safe Harbor Provisions

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. In order for American Healthways to utilize the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, investors are hereby cautioned that these statements may be affected by the important factors, among others, included in the discussion in Part I, Item 1, and Part II, Item 7, of American Healthways' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2005. Consequently, actual operations and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. American Healthways undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.com) was founded 68 years ago by a group of community-minded business leaders. Today, headquartered in Boston, BCBSMA provides coverage to 2.8 million members. Consistently recognized for standards of service that are among the highest in the nation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is the choice for health care consumers seeking reliable and high quality health care coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

About American Healthways

American Healthways, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMHC) is the nation's leading and largest provider of disease management, care enhancement and high-risk health management services proven to improve the quality of health care and lower costs. As of Aug. 31, 2005, the company had nearly 1.9 million lives under management worldwide. For more information visit www.americanhealthways.com.

Source: Business Wire

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