WellChoice, Inc. Announces Rates Finalized For New York City Contract Extension Through June 30, 2005

WellChoice, Inc. (NYSE: WC) announced today that its primary operating subsidiary, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, reached agreement with The City of New York on new rates for hospital-only coverage for the City's employees and retirees through June 30, 2005. The parties had previously agreed to a one-year extension of the contract through June 2005, but the issue of rates had been outstanding.