A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Access Dental Plan and Premier Access Insurance Company; Revises Outlook of Premier Access to Stable

Business Wire, June 6, 2008

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of "a-" of Access Dental Plan (Access Dental) and Premier Access Insurance Company (Premier Access) (both of Sacramento, CA). The rating outlook for Premier Access has been revised to stable from negative, while the rating outlook for Access Dental Plan remains negative.

The revised outlook for Premier Access reflects the company's increasing premium revenue and earnings trend in a competitive commercial dental market. Premier Access has been growing its group dental business primarily in California and Arizona. The continuation of the negative outlook for Access Dental reflects a potential decline in future earnings from a proposed 10% reduction to the California Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal reimbursement rates to health plans later in 2008 and continuing payments of sizeable stockholder dividends. Access Dental's business is confined to three government contracts in California.

For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.> Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.