American Specialty Health Providers Receive Discounts Of Up To 40 Percent On Malpractice Insurance

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2004--American Specialty Health Networks (ASH Networks), the nation’s leading complementary health care organization, is pleased to announce a new provider initiative -- the Value-Added Program. Effective April 1, 2004, ASH providers can now receive discounts of up to 40 percent on professional malpractice insurance and other products and services.

“We’re pleased to offer ASH providers significant savings on malpractice liability insurance,” said Phillip Stump, president of Allied Professionals and the National Chiropractic Council. “We’re able to offer this program because ASH providers undergo a rigorous credentialing process and consistently demonstrate treatment that is in accordance with the Institute of Medicine’s ‘Crossing the Quality Chasm’ definition of quality care -- safe, effective, timely, efficient, patient-centered and equitable.”

In addition to malpractice insurance, providers can save from 15 percent to 40 percent on X-ray equipment, HIPAA compliance materials, CE credit, durable medical equipment, credit card processing services and Web advertising. Made possible through arrangements with several leading companies, the discounts are available to ASH Networks’ nationwide network of more than 28,000 chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, registered dietitians, naturopathic doctors and fitness clubs.

“The rising costs of professional malpractice are a significant concern to many providers in managing a successful practice,” said George DeVries, president and chief executive officer of ASH Networks. “We want to help our providers save money on these important services.”

The discounts are only available to ASH providers by accessing www.ashproviders.com and entering the password-protected ASHLink portal.

ASH Networks is a subsidiary of American Specialty Health, Incorporated (ASH). Through its subsidiaries, ASH provides complementary health care benefit, affinity network, and health education programs nationwide to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups and trust funds. ASH Networks’ affiliate American Specialty Health Plans of California Inc. operates in California and is the nation’s first and largest health plan for chiropractic and acupuncture. Another affiliate, ASH Insurance Company, is an insurance company admitted in 41 states.

ASH Networks has been awarded full accreditation by URAC for its chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, dietetics and naturopathy programs. Recently it received accreditation in the following areas: claims processing, health Web site, HIPAA privacy and security. Based in San Diego with more than 500 employees, ASH and its subsidiaries cover more than 9 million members in benefit programs nationwide.

Contacts

American Specialty Health Debby Clark, 619-557-2230