Dallas, TX – September 29, 2006 – ppoNEXT, one of the premier and largest directly contracted PPO networks in the country, announced it has contracted with SmartCare Family Medical Centers, an in-store clinic operator. "SmartCare's mission is to revolutionize health care delivery by providing convenient access to quality care," said CEO Lawrence W. Hay. SmartCare offers treatment for common minor ailments such as ear infections, seasonal allergies, sinus infections and pink eye. SmartCare Centers also provide basic services such as flu shots, pregnancy tests, cholesterol screenings, school and employment physicals. No appointment is necessary, and visits last approximately 15-30 minutes. SmartCare Centers are staffed by nurse practitioners and certified medical assistants who are overseen by a Medical Advisory Board.

Each SmartCare Center has extended daily hours of operation, including weekends. SmartCare recently opened its first three centers in Kerr Drug stores located throughout North and South Carolina. SmartCare will be opening its medical centers inside Denver area Wal-Mart stores throughout the end of 2006. Specific locations have not been announced. Founded in 2004, the privately held SmartCare plans to roll out 30 additional clinics nationwide by the end of 2006 and some 1,050 clinics in the next five years.

"ppoNEXT recognizes the need to continually develop our network to meet the fast paced lifestyle of today’s consumer. The addition of in-store clinics to the ppoNEXT network is our first step towards developing a national network of in-store clinics,” said Lynn Littleton, ppoNEXT Vice President, Network Development. “A key part of ppoNEXT’s consumer strategy is to provide a comprehensive network that offers valuable healthcare purchasing assistance to individuals for healthcare services and products. The addition of SmartCare Family Medical Centers illustrates this commitment."

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, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. ppoNEXT serves self-funded employers, third party administrators, insurance carriers, HMOs, and various managed care firms. ppoNEXT also offers disease management, 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