Points of Distinction

1. ppoNEXT is the nation's fastest growing, independent healthcare services network.

2. ppoNEXT was built through a national acquisition strategy. By acquiring and consolidating three regional and two national PPO networks over the last three years, ppoNEXT has developed a network of participating providers that is among the top three in the nation in size, with 450,000 physicians and over 3,700 hospitals in 50 states.

3. ppoNEXT has consolidated all of its businesses onto one Web-enabled processing platform.

4. 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."

5. ppoNEXT's customers include more than 800 payor/administrator and 8,000 self-funded employer customers who collectively finance healthcare benefits for more than 3 million people.

6. ppoNEXT owns its provider contracts and thus controls its product.

7. ppoNEXT is one of the few health networks using state-of-the-art, Web-based technology to provide online administrative services. With ppoNEXT's claims-processing technology, customers can reprice claims electronically reducing the administrative burden experienced with most PPOs.

8. ppoNEXT offers geographic access to a national network of healthcare providers, competitive discounts from retail medical charges and an easy and flexible administrative interface that comprise a "one-stop" shopping opportunity for customers who wish to consolidate their managed care purchasing.