New York, NY (August 31, 2001) - WellChoice announced today that it added Summit Medical Group to its Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) networks, effective June 1, 2001. Summit Medical Group is a multi-specialty physician group, providing a team approach to diagnosing, treating and managing care. With 95 physicians, Summit Medical is one of the largest multi-specialty groups in New Jersey. The practice has offices in Essex, Union, Somerset and Morris counties, and maintains hospital affiliations with Overlook Hospital, St. Barnabas Medical Center and Morristown Memorial Hospital.

"The addition of Summit Medical Group represents even greater provider options for our WellChoice members," said Bryan Birch, President of WellChoice. "It not only offers our members access to one of the premier multi-specialty practices in New Jersey, but also provides a wide-range of their family's healthcare under one roof."

Summit Medical Group offers 19 different patient services, ranging from adult and pediatric medicine to diagnostic radiology. The group also manages a women's health care program, dedicated to improving women's health from adolescence through their senior years. The practice has been serving the northern New Jersey area for over 70 years.

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.