FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The MVP High Deductible Plan is based on the companys popular health maintenance organization (HMO) plan, but is priced 25 to 40 percent less than other MVP HMO plans.

The High Deductible HMO Plan benefits are generally subject to deductibles and coinsurance. Employers may help the employee with payment of the deductible by contributing funds to a Health Savings Account (HSA). Employees own their HSA accounts and can take them with them from job to job. They can use the cash accumulated in the HSA to pay for out-of-pocket costs related to the high-deductible plan, such as the deductibles and coinsurance, or for non-covered services such as vision and dental care expenses.

Typical preventive and wellness services covered by MVPs HMO plans are also covered under the High Deductible HMO plan and are not subject to the deductible amount. These "safe harbor" services include, preventive benefits for well baby and child care, annual adult physicals, mammography screening, prostate cancer screening, annual Pap and Ob/Gyn exams and child and adult immunizations.

Members enrolled in the High Deductible HMO plan have access to MVPs participating provider network. Employers may purchase a Point-of-Service (POS) option that offers access to-out-of network providers.

Prescription drug coverage in the High Deductible Plan is also subject to the deductible.

The High Deductible HMO plan includes a range of annual deductibles from $1,500 to $2,500 for single coverage and from $3,000 to $5,000 for family coverage.

"The new plans offer employers a potential for significant cost savings on annual health plan premiums and federal tax advantages if the employer chooses to fund a health savings accounts for their employees, said James Hester, MVP Vermont vice president. The plan also promotes greater awareness of the actual cost of health care services with employees and their dependents because they have more of a financial investment in the plans he said.

MVP is now offering a High Deductible HMO and HMO/POS plan for Vermont employers. The plans are available with member effective dates beginning December 1, 2005.

MVP is partnering with Mellon Trust of New England to offer employers the HSA accounts. MVP will pay for the fees normally charged to the employees for setting up the HSA accounts with Mellon Trust.