A.M. Best Takes Various Rating Actions on Health Maintenance Organizations

Business Wire, August 9, 2007

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of 34 health maintenance organizations (HMO), downgraded 11 HMO FSRs, upgraded 11 HMO FSRs, assigned one HMO FSR and withdrew two HMO FSRs. In addition, A.M. Best has assigned each company an issuer credit rating (ICR). (See below for a detailed list of the companies and ratings.)

These ratings are based solely upon public information and present the most informed view A.M. Best can offer, short of an insurer participating in the full interactive rating process. A.M. Best uses the same rating scale and definitions as it does for its long-term financial strength interactive ratings but applies a pd modifier to ensure the user is aware of the more limited information basis for the rating.

A.M. Best's HMO pd ratings will be released regularly over the next two months. Each month, A.M. Best will provide an update of the recent rating actions.

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Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial services industries, including the banking and insurance sectors. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.