CompPartners to Offer First Health Network to HCO clients in California

CompPartners and First Health Group Corp. announce arrangement in which CompPartners uses First Health's network to its HCO clients.

IRVINE, CA (PRWEB) July 16, 2003 -- CompPartners has formed a business relationship with First Health Group Corp. (NASDAQ: FHCC) to provide The First Health Network to its workers compensation Health Care Organization (HCO) clients in California.

HCOs, which are fully integrated health care delivery systems for workers compensation clients, have been shown to reduce overall loss costs by up to 50 percent through return-to-work programs and reduced litigation. Another benefit of using an HCO is mandatory use of the HCO provider network for an extended period of medical control up to 180 days, from the current 30 days.

CompPartners state-certified HCO offers injured or ill employees medical care and a choice of multiple certified providers and case management advocates, along with an independent peer review, appeal and grievance resolution system. Providers and payers receive the benefits of peer consultants for complex cases as well as expedited referrals, authorizations and payments.

We have seen tremendous results for clients using our HCO," said Bruce A. Carlin, CEO of CompPartners. We expect even greater savings from the added strength of one of the countrys top workers compensation PPOs."

About First Health
First Health, the premier national health-benefits services company, specializes in providing large payors with integrated managed care solutions. First Health is a unique national managed care company serving the workers compensation, group health and state agency markets. Using technology to enable service and managed care innovations, First Health sets the bar for industry performance. For more information, visit the company website at www.firsthealth.com.

About CompPartners
Based in Irvine, Calif. and founded in 1998, CompPartners is Californias largest HCO, providing workers compensation health care services to insurers, third party administrators, and employers. In addition to the HCO product, CompPartners also offers a national Physician Peer Review program for workers compensation and auto-liability. CompPartners was the first organization to be nationally accredited by URAC as an external review organization for workers compensation. For more information, visit www.comppartners.com.

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CompPartners, Inc. 18881 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 390 Irvine, CA 92612