(Dallas, Texas, April 15, 2005) – ppoNEXT announced today one of its newest clients, Regional Care, Inc. (RCI), of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Regional Care, Inc. is a Third Party Administrator (TPA) located in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, specializing in customized health and dental plan administration along with administration of Section 125 plans, HRAs & HSAs.

Steve Hetzel, President of RCI, was looking for a PPO solution for one of his clients whose employees lived in Texas. He comments, "We learned about ppoNEXT through our success in working with them for some out-of-network claims." ppoNEXT contracts with over 2,500 facilities and over 43,000 physicians in Texas, which makes accessing a provider an effortless task for its membership. Hetzel further remarks, "Cost savings, network coverage and administrative responsiveness were a few of the reasons we selected ppoNEXT." Lynn Littleton, VP of Network Development for ppoNEXT comments, "Ensuring that we have strong roots in Texas is paramount in our efforts to provide the most comprehensive network we can for our clients and members. Our regional roots allow us to provide competitive discounts locally, while our national coverage enables members, including those of RCI, to have nationwide access." ppoNEXT's thorough, comprehensive nationwide coverage is one of many points of distinction that appeal to a number of TPA clients and prospects looking to grow beyond their current borders.

About Regional Care, Inc:
Regional Care, Inc. is a Third Party Administrator (TPA) located in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, specializing in customized health/dental plan administration along with administration of Section 125 and HSAs. Since 1992 RCI has been serving employers within a seven state area, providing uncompromising service. RCI prides itself on serving clients and their staff politely, promptly, accurately, and efficiently.

About ppoNEXT:

Founded in 1999, ppoNEXT is a leading provider of health network services aimed at assisting companies with managing the spiraling cost of healthcare. ppoNEXT's provider network has the geographic expanse of a national network with the market depth and discount levels of a regional player. It is a "national network with a regional flair." Based in Long Beach, California, ppoNEXT offers clients access to over 350,000 physicians, 3,700 hospitals, and thousands of leading ancillary care providers in key markets such as the Midwest, Texas, California, and Florida. ppoNEXT serves self-funded employers, third party administrators, insurance carriers, HMOs, and bill review firms. Through its subsidiary, Health Care Evaluation, ppoNEXT offers disease management, as well as utilization review and care management services.

For more information about ppoNEXT, please contact:

Etta Jones
Corporate Marketing
214.267.3394