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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

CITIZENS CHOICE HEALTHPLAN CONTRACTS WITH HEALTHCARE PARTNERS MEDICAL GROUP TO SERVE LOS ANGELES SENIORS WITH MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN

EAST LOS ANGELES/TORRANCE, Calif. (July 2, 2007) -- Citizens Choice Healthplan, which serves ethnic and disabled communities (the Medicare and Medicare/Medi-Cal [Medi-Medi] population) in Los Angeles and northern Orange Counties, has expanded its Medicare Advantage physician network by contracting with HealthCare Partners Medical Group.

"HealthCare Partners Medical Group has won high praise for its delivery of quality health care and for its patient satisfaction scores," said Elizabeth S. Tejada, General Manager of the plan.  "We are pleased to closely partner with a medical group that emphasizes well-being, disease prevention and the careful management of chronic disease conditions." 

 "We are proud to align with Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO for the betterment of the overall health of senior adults in our communities," said Timothy Gonzales, M.D., HealthCare Partners Medical Group, "Medicare Advantage Plans, like Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO, offer our senior patients maximum benefits, even including free transportation and no-cost inpatient hospital care. The quality of service and value of this plan is a true benefit for our Medicare community, as many are living on fixed incomes or may not know about all the resources readily available to their families."

About HealthCare Partners Medical Group
HealthCare Partners, a multi-specialty medical group, has been recognized by health plans and business groups for its distinguished medical leadership, the high-quality of medical care delivered, operational effectiveness, and high rates of patient satisfaction.  Dedicated to providing high-quality, integrated and coordinated care, the medical group employs 500+ primary care and specialty physicians who care for more than 500,000 patients in 40 neighborhood offices, including 5 urgent care centers, two medical spas and an ambulatory surgery center in Los Angeles county and north Orange county.  For more information on HealthCare Partners, call (888) 715-4922 or visit www.healthcarepartners.com.

About Citizens Choice Healthplan
Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO is ranked in the top three value-based Medicare Advantage Plans surveyed in Los Angeles County. Its zero co-payment benefit and zero premium include no-cost doctor and specialist visits, no-cost inpatient hospital care, vision and routine hearing testing. Also included are no-cost routine physical exams and 24-hour roundtrip transportation services for health related visits. Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO serves approximately 3,300 members, 95% of them Hispanic. All member services staff and outreach representatives are bilingual and understand the cultural dynamics of the ethnic and disabled communities they serve.

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO is a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD) that contracts with the Federal Government to provide services to all eligible for Part A and Part B Medicare recipients.  Citizens Choice Healthplan can be reached at (323) 728-7232 or at www.citizenschoicehealth.com.