For Immediate Release

Med Advantage is reaffirming its commitment to servicing all of its clients throughout the United States.  Having heard the recent developments in the CVO industry, Med Advantage is taking the time to inform our clients and potential clients of our commitment to service, quality and capability. The CVO industry has certainly seen its share of sweeping changes, such as consolidations and acquisitions.

Med Advantage has been credentialing medical providers since the early part of 1993 and has made service to clients its leading objective.  Understanding the anomalies in the CVO industry has assisted Med Advantage in a solid growth plan.

“We understand there may be a number of organizations who will need service in the credentialing arena and we will do what we can to assist them,” said John C. Barrett, Sr. Vice-President of Med Advantage.” He also said, “Our biggest concern is for our current clients:  To assure them of our commitment to continued service.”

Med Advantage, (http://www.med-advantage.com), a subsidiary of Professionals Group, Inc., is considered the largest credentialing verification organizations (CVO’s) in the country.  Med Advantage is certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA*) for all 10 elements and was one of the first CVO’s accredited by The American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (URAC**).  The Med Advantage physician database, which currently holds information on over 900,000 providers, has over 6.3 million elements verified according to both NCQA and The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations standards. 

Professionals Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:PICM) is a holding company for Med Advantage and several other insurance related subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2000, Professionals Group had total assets in excess of $1 billion.

 *The National Committee for Quality Assurance is an independent, non-profit organization that certifies credentials verification organizations and accredits managed care organizations.

 ** The American Accreditation HealthCare Commission/URAC is a non-profit entity founded in 1990 to establish accreditation standards for managed health care organizations.  The Commission/URAC’s broad-based membership represents a diversity of health care constituencies; industry, provider, purchasers, consumers, and regulators.  Purchasers and consumers look to Commission/URAC accreditation as a mark of distinction for a managed health care company.  For more information about the Commission/URAC visit their website at www.urac.org