FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Scott Golden
Phone: 804-354-5252
Mobile: 804-201-7109

Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Stellaris Health Network Announce Contract Agreement

New York, NY—May 30, 2008 - Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Stellaris Health Network (SHN) hospitals announced today that they have reached an agreement on a provider contract, effective June 1, 2008. Under the multi-year agreement, Empire members will continue to have access to Stellaris Health Network hospitals as in-network providers.

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement and we will continue to work closely with SHN to support their ongoing mission to provide important services to our members and to the Westchester community,” said Mark Wagar, president and CEO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield.

“This agreement will provide Empire’s members with continued access to Westchester’s preeminent network of community hospitals. We look forward to our ongoing relationship with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield,” said Arthur A. Nizza, President and CEO of Stellaris.

No action is required by Empire members to continue services at any Stellaris Hospital Network facility. Empire members who have additional questions should contact their member service representative at the number on their ID card.

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About Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com

About Stellaris Health Network
Stellaris Health Network is the region’s leading healthcare system, dedicated to preserving high quality, community-based care for residents of Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Dutchess, Northern Bronx, and Fairfield Counties. Its affiliated hospitals include Lawrence Hospital Center (Bronxville, NY), Northern Westchester Hospital (Mount Kisco, NY) Phelps Memorial Hospital Center (Sleepy Hollow, NY), and White Plains Hospital Center (White Plains, NY). In addition to the network of hospitals, Stellaris provides ambulance and municipal paramedic services to Westchester County, NY through Westchester Emergency Medical Services. With over half a billion dollars in combined revenue and 1,100 in-patient beds, Stellaris Hospitals account for over a third of the acute care bed capacity in Westchester County. Based in Armonk, NY, Stellaris is one of the largest area employers, with approximately 5,000 employees and over 2,100 voluntary physicians on staff. The Stellaris Hospitals provide multidisciplinary acute care services as well as a range of community based services such as hospice, home health, behavioral health and physical rehabilitation.