About SCAN

SCAN Health Plan Announces Launch in Ventura County

Plan Expressly Designed for Medicare Eligible Individuals Combines Health Coverage, More Benefits than Medicare, and a Strong Local Provider Network

(April 18, 2005) — SCAN Health Plan, one of the premier health plans serving seniors throughout Southern California, announced today that it has expanded into central and southern Ventura County, effective immediately. SCAN currently serves nearly 70,000 seniors in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

SCAN’s expansion into Ventura County will initially include the cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Oxnard, Santa Paula and Ventura. Its initial provider partners in these cities are Buenaventura Medical Group and Valley Care IPA, which combined will offer members more than 60 primary care physicians from which to choose. Participating hospitals are Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, Saint John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and Saint John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo.

“We are committed to providing Medicare-eligible individuals in Ventura County a true choice in health plans by offering one that helps them reduce their out-of-pocket expenses while providing an array of resources specifically designed to help them remain healthy and independent,” said SCAN Chief Executive Officer David Schmidt.

For a low $30 monthly premium – with no deductibles and small co- payments – SCAN members in Ventura County can avail themselves of all of the basic benefits covered under Medicare including doctor visits, hospital care, emergency/urgent care, ambulance service, home healthcare, skilled nursing facility care and chiropractic/podiatry care. Beyond these core Medicare benefits, SCAN members will also enjoy generous prescription coverage (including brand and generic), coverage for routine eye and hearing exams (including eyewear and hearing aids) and transportation to the doctor’s office, plus SCAN On-Call™, a 24- hour nurse advice line, in-home assistance services, and access to emergency care worldwide.

Since its founding, SCAN has demonstrated a unique passion for finding innovative ways to enhance its members’ abilities to manage their own health and continue to control how and where they live. “We know that people on Medicare want to remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible,” said Schmidt. The unique array of services offered in Ventura County is consistent with this commitment and the company’s not-for- profit mission. To date, SCAN has been able to keep more than 30,000 seniors out of nursing homes through its innovative programs.

“We are very pleased to partner with SCAN Health Plan in providing high-quality medical services for our senior citizens,” said Jim Malone, CEO of Buenaventura Medical Group. “Our group is well-known for its dedication to the local community, and we are confident that SCAN shares our commitment to caring for the senior population of Ventura County.”

In May SCAN will join with Buenaventura Medical Group and Valley Care IPA to host a series of “Straight Talk Community Forums” where people on Medicare can learn more about their health plan choices, compare options and ask questions. Information and registration for these no-cost, no-obligation forums can be obtained by calling 1-877-452-5902.

Founded in 1977, SCAN is one of the four largest Medicare Advantage Plans in all of California and consistently ranks as one of the state’s fastest growing. The expansion into Ventura County is the first for the company since 1996. In addition to its health plan, SCAN also manages one of the largest and most successful Multi-Purpose Senior Service Projects (MSSP) in California providing community-based, long-term care and in-home personal-care coordination for low-income frail seniors. Further information may be obtained at www.scanhealthplan.com.