New York, NY (February 21, 2001) - WellChoice announced today that they added Atlantic Health System to its Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) hospital network, effective February 1, 2001. Atlantic Health System encompasses Mountainside Hospital (Essex County); Morristown Memorial Hospital (Morris County); The General Hospital Center at Passaic (Passaic County); and Overlook Hospital (Union County). Atlantic Health System is also affiliated with Newton Memorial Hospital (Sussex County) and Bayonne Hospital (Hudson County).

"Atlantic Health System is a significant addition to the WellChoice network," said Bryan Birch, Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer for Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield. "The Atlantic Health System facilities and affiliated physicians offer our members in northern New Jersey greater choice when deciding on healthcare needs."

Atlantic Health System ranks among the top 100 integrated health care networks nationwide. The system also includes The Children's Medical Center, The Neuroscience Institute, and The Brain Tumor Center of New Jersey. The system and its affiliates account for 1,662 beds throughout the state.

WellChoice also expanded the ways in which its members can access PPO services outside of New Jersey. WellChoice now provides its members with access to the Beech Street national network. Beech Street offers a network of 320,000 physicians and 3,000 hospitals that provides services to WellChoice members and their dependents outside of New Jersey on an in-network basis.

WellChoice changed its name from Empire HealthCare effective January 1, 2001. It began operations in New Jersey in 1998 and offers an HMO and PPO product to employer groups. Employers interested in finding out more about the options offered through WellChoice can contact their insurance broker, or WellChoice directly at 1-888-476-8069 x7111.

With innovative healthcare solutions to meet their business needs, WellChoice offers a variety of high-quality, customer centered health plans to small and large employer groups located in the 13 counties of central and northern New Jersey.