Health Net Introduces Oregon's First Health Plan to Address High Cholesterol Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Health Net Health Plan of Oregon, Inc. is the first health plan in the state to offer a plan designed specifically for Medicare beneficiaries with high cholesterol. "More than half of the Medicare population has high cholesterol,” said Brenda Bruns, M.D., chief medical officer for Health Net of Oregon. "But because individuals often have no symptoms early on, they don't manage the condition well, and as a result, are more likely to develop chronic vascular and heart disease. By providing resources through Health Net's Sage plan, seniors can feel that they are given the power to become actively involved in the direction of their own health.” High cholesterol can lead to an increased risk for heart disease, poor circulation and stroke. Health Net Sage is distinctive because of its focus on prevention, seeking to delay or prevent the onset of chronic illnesses linked to high cholesterol. Highlights of the plan include: $3 copays for generic drugs, including cholesterol-lowering statins; $0 copays for cholesterol-related testing, both in and out of network; Access to health professionals who will provide coaching to manage risk factors such as cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure; and Online nutrition and exercise resources to support healthy lifestyle changes. The CD Summary, July 10, 2007, published by the Public Health Division of the Oregon Department of Health, states that over half of Oregon adults with high cholesterol are not receiving pharmacological treatment and, while 70 percent were advised to lose weight to improve their cholesterol numbers, less than half reported they were actively trying. Health Net's goal is to boost the percentage of members following their prescribed treatment plan for high cholesterol from the 40 percent national average to at least 75 percent. "Learning to manage their high cholesterol properly and proactively could make a live-saving difference for some of these individuals when you consider that heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S.,” added Bruns. Health Net Sage is available to Medicare beneficiaries in 13 counties in Oregon and Clark County, Washington, who have cholesterol levels of 200 or higher or a history of elevated cholesterol. Qualified Medicare beneficiaries may be eligible to enroll in or switch to a Special Needs Plan year round; these plans are not subject to the same enrollment and lock-in rules that govern regular Medicare Advantage plans. For more information about Health Net Sage and all of Health Net's Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug plans, call 1-800-860-4121, or visit www.abetterdecision.com. About Health Net Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT) is among the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company's health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.7 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net's behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to approximately 7.0 million individuals in all 50 states. The company's subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs. For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the company's Web site at www.healthnet.com. Cautionary Statements Health Net, Inc. and its representatives may from time to time make written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in news releases, in Health Net’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the company’s reports to shareholders and in meetings with investors and analysts, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical information provided herein, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s analysis, judgment, belief and expectation only as of the date hereof, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes,” "anticipates,” "plans,” "expects,” "may,” "should,” "could,” "estimate,” "intend” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to, among other things, rising health care costs, negative prior period claims reserve developments, trends in medical care ratios, issues relating to provider contracts, litigation costs, regulatory issues, operational issues, health care reform and general business conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the "Risk Factors” section included within the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.