SAVANNAH BUSINESSES TO BENEFIT FROM MORE COMPETITION IN HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET

SAVANNAH, GA.-- The Savannah Business Group (SBG) is teaming up with St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System and Consumers Life Insurance Company to offer small businesses the opportunity to take advantage of high-quality, affordable health insurance.

Consumer’s Life will become SBG's endorsed plan for small businesses looking for affordable health insurance benefits.

"This is something we’ve been working on for a long time," said SBG Executive Director Gary Rost. "With this agreement, we are answering the needs of the small business community, which needs relief from escalating healthcare costs."

Under the new agreement that is effective September 1, 2006, small businesses in the six-county Greater Savannah area will have access to St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System and The Care Network of physicians. Outside the area, they will have access to 1st Medical Network (1st MN), the largest provider-sponsored PPO network in Georgia, representing 15,000 physicians and 150 hospitals and academic medical centers and ancillary service providers.

"This partnership is going to benefit the Savannah business community," said Michael Taddeo, vice president Network Management for Consumer's Life.

"Competition is always good for the consumer. We are going to be very competitive in the marketplace as we try to help small businesses in Savannah obtain health insurance benefits for their employees."

"This is another way in which we're working with employers in the Creative Coast to keep healthcare affordable and available," said Paul P. Hinchey, president & CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler. "We realize that affordable healthcare is critical to both individuals and the economic development of our region."

About Consumers Life Insurance Company

Consumers Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Medical Mutual, the oldest and largest health insurance company based in Ohio. The company is licensed to sell health insurance products in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Consumers Life serves its customers through high-quality, affordable group and personal health insurance plans, and third-party administrative services to self-insured businesses. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.ConsumersLife.com.

About Savannah Business Group

Savannah Business Group (SBG) is a business coalition that group purchases health care services for self funded employers. SBG negotiates rates, services, and access with medical service providers on behalf of the members of the coalition. SBG serves businesses located in Savannah, The Coastal Empire, and The Low Country; encompassing 21 counties in Georgia and South Carolina.

About St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System

St. Joseph’s/Candler of Savannah, Georgia (www.sjchs.org) is a National Magnet-designated facility for nursing excellence, with a focus on the latest technologies and research. Its comprehensive network includes centers of excellence for oncology, cardiovascular, neurosciences, women’s and children’s services, orthopedics and a variety of other disease specialties. Comprised of two of the oldest continuously operating hospitals in the United States, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital, this not for profit health system is the largest in Southeast Georgia and the region’s only faith based institution. It has been recognized as a JCAHO certified Stroke Center and is the only network accredited facility in the region.