FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO, A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN, EXCEEDS 1000 MEMBER MILESTONE

EAST LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 30, 2006) – Citizens Choice Healthplan, a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) Plan approved by Medicare officials to serve the communities of East Los Angeles, has exceeded the 1000 member level. As of May, the eight-month old health plan had signed about 1500 members, about 90 percent of which are Hispanic. “Our niche is our ability to serve the Hispanic senior community,” said Elizabeth S. Tejada, General Manager of the plan. “All of our Member Services staff and Outreach Specialists speak fluent Spanish and understand the cultural dynamics of the communities we serve. This has helped us reach out to senior members as well as our physician and hospital partners,” she said.

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO currently contracts with 18 IPAs and 10 hospitals throughout Los Angeles County and consists of more than 1000 primary care and specialist physicians. The plan currently operates in 105 zip codes, stretching from Glendale to Torrance and Whittier to West Los Angeles.
The plan ranked in the top three value-based Medicare Advantage Plans surveyed in Los Angeles County. Its zero co-payment benefit and zero premium includes no cost doctor and specialist visits, no cost inpatient hospital care, vision and routine hearing testing. Also included are no cost well women exams and 12 round trip transportation services to and from member appointments. The plan’s drug benefit requires a $5 co-payment for generic and a $20 co-payment for brand name medications.

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO is owned by a physician that has served mostly the Hispanic and Spanish-speaking community for many years. The plan was founded in 2004 and approved to offer benefits from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approximately eight months ago.
Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO is located at 5400 East Olympic Blvd., Suite 130, Los Angeles, CA 90022.