MHNs Managed Behavioral Health Care Programs Earn Accreditation by URAC Achievement Marks Ninth Consecutive Year of Accreditation

Managed Health Network, Inc. (MHN), a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT), announced today that its managed behavioral health care program received health utilization management accreditation from URAC on December 1, 2004. URAC is an independent, nonprofit organization widely known for promoting health care quality through its accreditation and certification programs.

Point Richmond, CA January 12, 2005 -- MHN demonstrated its adherence with URACs rigorous standards through this comprehensive evaluation. Among other achievements, the URAC accreditation criteria cites that MHNs practices are fair, confidential and equitable for all parties; that medical decisions are based on valid clinical criteria; and that only appropriately trained, qualified clinical personnel conduct and oversee the utilization review process.

Accreditation for the behavioral health program also assures clients and members that they are receiving services that meet nationally recognized standards for quality and accountability.

MHNs program first received accreditation in 1996, and it has secured re-accreditation status in each subsequent review period. The quality of care delivered to our members is our highest priority, said MHN vice president of Quality Management Deirdre Hiatt, Ph.D. We are pleased that URAC has re-accredited MHN because it underscores that commitment.

We applaud MHN on achieving URAC Health Utilization Management Standards accreditation, said Garry Carneal, URAC president and CEO. In todays health care market, URAC accreditation provides a mark of distinction for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to quality health care.

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is a leader in promoting health care quality through accreditation and certification programs. URAC's standards keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a mark of distinction for health care organizations to demonstrate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in setting meaningful standards for the health care industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.

MHN is one of the largest and oldest providers of managed behavioral health care and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) in the United States, serving nearly 10 million members. Based in Point Richmond, Calif., MHN provides workplace solutions ranging from EAP and behavioral health to integrated disease management and psychiatric disability programs. MHN's provider network includes more than 37,000 practitioners and 1,150 hospitals and facilities throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.mhn.com.

MHN is a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc. Health Net is among the nations largest publicly traded managed healthcare companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The companys HMO, POS, insured PPO and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to more than 7 million individuals in 27 states and the District of Columbia through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE programs. In addition to the behavioral health services offered by MHN, Health Nets subsidiaries offer managed healthcare products related to prescription drugs, and they offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company listed above.

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