Prevention Business Editors/Healthcare Editors MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2007--More than 7,000 members of LifeWise Health Plan of Washington are reaping the rewards of a new pharmacy discount program introduced in January. In the first two months of the program, LifeWise of Washington reports that members have saved an average of 39 percent on their prescriptions.

This program is available on both the WiseEssentials and WiseSavings individual plans, which do not include pharmacy benefits. Members receive the discounted price negotiated by LifeWise's pharmacy benefit manager, MedCo Health Solutions, with their pharmacy.

"The pharmacy discount program encourages members to fill their prescriptions and take their medications as prescribed," said Ed Wong, Pharm.D., vice president of Pharmacy Services for LifeWise. "These are important steps toward maintaining wellness and preventing future health conditions."

A look at the plans:

-- WiseEssentials(TM): In addition to the pharmacy discount program, provides members with six upfront office visits each year, including preventive care and naturopathy. The plan offers full coverage for preventive screenings and unlimited air ambulance coverage. The deductible is waived on mammography, acupuncture and spinal manipulations.

-- WiseSavings(TM): Takes upfront preventive care, pharmacy discounts and catastrophic coverage a step further by giving consumers the opportunity to open tax-advantaged health savings accounts.

-- WiseChoices(TM): Features the only $0 deductible plans available to individuals in Washington. WiseChoices provides substantial first-dollar coverage and comprehensive benefits - like vision, maternity and pharmacy coverage, including unlimited generics.

In addition to the plan-specific benefits and services, all LifeWise members have access to the 24-hour NurseLine and disease management programs for diabetes, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. For more detailed plan information, visit www.lifewisewa.com.

"All new LifeWise plans provide upfront incentives for wellness and prevention for 100 percent of our members - whether they have a $0 deductible or a $3,500 deductible plan," said John Castiglia, M.D., chief medical officer for LifeWise. "With this focus on wellness and prevention, the long-term impact will be better health for our members and more sustainable health care costs."

And, the plans are divided into three categories with the busy health-care shopper in mind.

"With the new portfolio, we have simplified the selection process for consumers," said John Mychalishyn, LifeWise sales director. "Consumers can easily identify the type of plan that suits their needs, giving them confidence that they have purchased the health coverage that is best for themselves and their families."

About LifeWise Health Plan of Washington

LifeWise Health Plan of Washington is a member of a family of companies headquartered in Washington state, with operations in Mountlake Terrace and Spokane, Washington; Portland and Bend, Oregon; Anchorage, Alaska; and Scottsdale and Tucson, Arizona. LifeWise and its affiliates employ more than 3,300 people and provide health-care coverage and related services to about 1.6 million subscribers and their families.