2007 Press Releases

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PREFERREDONE COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN TO OFFER ITS MEMBERS LIFEMASTERS DISEASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM LifeMasters to Assist PreferredOne in Expanding Services in Competitive Marketplace San Francisco, Calif. & Minneapolis, Minn., January 25, 2007 – LifeMasters Supported SelfCare, Inc., a leading provider of disease management programs and services in the nation, and PreferredOne Community Health Plan today announced a three-year agreement to provide PreferredOne members with disease management services for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure, asthma and coronary artery disease.  As a health benefits administrator, PreferredOne offers a full-range of products, services and networks to brokers, employers, members, insurance companies and third-party administrators throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Under the three-year contract, more than 50,000 PreferredOne members will have access to LifeMasters’ customized disease management program designed to help them better manage their health conditions.  Program participants will receive coaching and regular telephonic support from their own personal health coach. They will learn how to monitor their vital signs and symptoms to detect early changes in their health status. An integral part of the program includes integrating the members’ physicians by alerting them to significant changes in their patient’s health between office visits so they can intervene early to avoid emergency room visits and hospitalizations. “We are pleased to offer this much needed service to our members and the community especially since it is well aligned with everyone’s increasing desire to stay healthy while minimizing out of pocket expenses,” said Marcus Merz, President and CEO at PreferredOne Community Health Plan. “We chose LifeMasters because of their expertise and track record at delivering disease management solutions that improve health outcomes while significantly reducing costs.” LifeMasters currently provides disease management services to eligible members enrolled in the PreferredOne Community Health Plan.  This program is also available to PreferredOne ASO groups who are interested in providing support and education to help their employees manage their chronic conditions. “We are pleased to support PreferredOne in offering its members an innovative and personal approach to achieving and maintaining optimal health,” said David R. Strand, president and chief executive officer at LifeMasters. “And, we look forward to contributing to the health and well-being of Minnesotans with them.” About PreferredOne PreferredOne is a health benefits administration company offering TPA, HMO (including HSAs) qualified high-deductible individual plans & PPO products & services in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. PreferredOne health care networks provide access to more than 14,000 physicians, 1,600 primary care clinics and 260 hospitals. PreferredOne is headquartered in Golden Valley, MN with a staff of 330 employees. More information about PreferredOne can be found at www.preferredone.com or by calling 1-763-847-4007. About LifeMasters Supported SelfCare LifeMasters Supported SelfCare, Inc. is a leading provider of disease management programs and services that create health partnerships among individuals, their physicians and payors. Its mission is to empower individuals to achieve and maintain optimal health. The programs improve quality of care for people with chronic illnesses, reduce chronic-disease costs for payors and provide decision-support tools for physicians. LifeMasters offers programs for individuals with diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension and asthma (all of which are fully accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and URAC) and musculo-skeletal pain. LifeMasters’ programs are holistically focused, support co-morbidities such as depression and facilitate lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and weight loss. LifeMasters provides services to nearly 650,000 people throughout the nation. Founded in 1994 by a physician, LifeMasters works with some of the nation’s leading health plans, employers, retirement systems and governmental organizations, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, and Presbyterian Health Services in New Mexico.  More information about LifeMasters can be found at www.lifemasters.com or by calling 1-800-777-1307.

Contacts: Barbara Gideon LifeMasters (650) 829-5287 bgideon@lifemasters.com

John Frederick, M.D. Chief Medical Officer PreferredOne (763) 847-3051 john.frederick@preferredone.com