Crain's Chicago Business Ranks Private Healthcare Systems Second among Chicago's Largest PPOs; PHCS Leads All Other National PPOs in Survey

Business Wire, August 13, 2003

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2003

Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), the nation's leading health care cost management company, announced its selection as one of Chicago's largest preferred provider organizations (PPOs) by Crain's Chicago Business. For the second consecutive year, PHCS led all other national PPOs in the survey.

In the July 28, 2003 issue of Crain's Chicago Business, local and national PPOs were ranked in the six-county Chicago area, which includes Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, McHenry and Kane counties. PHCS moved up a notch from last year's third position to the second largest PPO serving the region and the highest-ranking national organization on the list. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, with a regional office in Rosemont, PHCS is the largest proprietary provider network in the country with more than 387,000 providers and 3,600 facilities. The company has more than 70 participating facilities and 25,400 physicians in the six-county Chicago area alone.

"At Private Healthcare Systems, we pride ourselves on having a strong presence across the country. Through the efforts of our Rosemont office, we have built a robust PPO network to deliver convenient, cost-effective health care not only to the Chicago area, but throughout the Central region," said Joseph Driscoll, PHCS President and CEO. "We are very proud to have been recognized by Crain's Business Chicago for our ability to provide health care access to PHCS members in the community."

About PHCS

For 18 years, Private Healthcare Systems has been meeting the network and medical management needs of customers across the country. Corporate headquarters are in Waltham, Massachusetts, with regional offices located throughout the United States. The largest proprietary PPO network in the country, the PHCS Provider Network includes more than 387,000 providers and 3,600 facilities. PHCS is the only PPO that has earned multiple endorsements from both leading national health care quality organizations, NCQA and URAC.