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UPMC Health Plan Releases Annual Report for 2004

PITTSBURGH (July 11, 2005) — UPMC Health Plan's emergence as one of the nation's top-rated health plans in terms of effectiveness of care, as well as its commitment to preventive care and health management, is detailed in the company's 2004annual report, which was released this week.

The annual report — which is titled "Caring at Every Stage of Life"— spotlights members, physicians, and Health Plan employees who share a commitment to caring.

"At UPMC Health Plan, our members' health is our highest priority," writes Diane P. Holder in her President's Letter to stakeholders. "We believe in treating each person with dignity, respect, and care throughout all stages of life." In October 2004, UPMC Health Plan was recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as one of the top five plans in the Middle Atlantic region for effectiveness of care. The Health Plan was the only commercial plan in western Pennsylvania to earn this distinction.

In November 2004, UPMC Health Plan learned it was rated No. 1 in the country for breast cancer screening by NCQA. In December 2004, UPMC for You—UPMC Health Plan's Medical Assistance company—was rated as one of the top 10 Medicaid plans in the nation for effectiveness of care by NCQA. The annual report cites UPMC Health Plan's health management programs as a major reason for the company's excellent NCQA scores. "These programs epitomize the Health Plan's belief that the right care, in the right amount, at the right time is critical to reducing health care costs as well as delivering quality care to members," Ms. Holder writes. Ms. Holder is president of UPMC Health Plan and also of UPMC's Insurance Services Division. In addition to the health management programs, the Health Plan's affiliation with a world-class academic health system—the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)—gives its members access to some of the best doctors and hospitals in the region, the most up-to-date preventive care protocols, and the latest medical advances.

UPMC Health Plan is a health care benefits company headquartered in Pittsburgh that serves more than 440,000 members with its commercial, Medical Assistance, and Medicare Advantage products. More than 300,000 members have enrolled through one of the Health Plan's 4,700 employer group business partners. Health Plan members are served by some 6,700 physicians at 80 hospitals in 29 counties of western Pennsylvania.

The Health Plan is a subsidiary of UPMC, which is affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of Health Sciences, a worldwide center of excellence for medical research and treatment. UPMC is the largest employer in western Pennsylvania and one of the nation's premier health care delivery organizations.

UPMC's Insurance Services Division consists of UPMC Health Plan, UPMC for You, Inc., Community Care Behavioral Health, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Askesis Development Company.

"Caring at Every Stage of Life" will also be made available at UPMC Health Plan's website, www.upmchealthplan.com.