(Dallas, Texas, June 8, 2006) - ppoNEXT, one of the premier and largest directly contracted PPO networks in the country, announced it has added more than 177,000 providers to its Consumer Card Network. These additions bring the total number of providers participating in the Consumer Card Network to 571 hospitals, 25,251 ancillaries and 318,268 physicians. This development came about from the company's ongoing assessment of its network to ensure that it meets the specific needs of its customers. By leveraging knowledge of the marketplace and existing relationships with providers, ppoNEXT was able to make these significant additions.

"ppoNEXT has a long-established reputation of developing networks designed to meet the needs of its customers," said Lynn Littleton, ppoNEXT Vice President, Network Development. "Our Network Development team has done a great job in building and maintaining a network that meets the demands of today's growing market of consumers so they have even greater access to health care options."

Consumer Card Plans offer consumers reduced costs on certain healthcare products and services when purchased through quality companies. Medicare has its authorized prescription drug consumer cards for seniors, and several health insurance plans offer consumer cards for certain non-covered services and supplementing existing insurance for participants. Many healthcare assistance programs also include consumer cards for participants. ppoNEXT believes that consumer cards often provide valuable healthcare purchasing assistance to individuals for healthcare services and products.

About ppoNEXT:
ppoNEXT is a leading provider of nationwide healthcare management and network services. With its focus on providing consumers with the utmost in quality healthcare, ppoNEXT selects only providers and facilities of uncompromising quality and excellence. Based in Dallas, Texas, ppoNEXT offers clients access to over 450,000 physicians, over 3,700 hospitals, and thousands of leading ancillary care providers in key markets such as the Midwest, Texas, California, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. ppoNEXT serves self-funded employers, third party administrators, insurance carriers, HMOs, and various managed care firms. ppoNEXT also offers disease management, as well as utilization review, case management, independent medical review, and claims negotiation services through its subsidiary, NEXTcare Management.

For more information about ppoNEXT, please contact:
Aaron Means
Corporate Marketing
214.267.3358