ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD AND

INTERNAL MEDICINE ASSOCIATES (IMA)

REACH AGREEMENT ON NEW CONTRACT

 Indianapolis and Bloomington, Ind.—February 16, 2007—Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana and Internal Medicine Associates (IMA) of Bloomington announced today that they have reached an agreement in principle on a new contract that will ensure IMA’s continued participation in Anthem’s provider networks.

The agreement would base reimbursement increases on quality measures and means that Anthem policyholders with Blue Traditional, Blue Access (PPO) and Blue Preferred (HMO) health plans may continue to receive covered services at IMA with no lapse in coverage and at the highest level of benefits.

“The physicians and nurse practitioners of Internal Medicine Associates are delighted that we will remain in network for our Anthem patients,” said Lawrence D. Rink, M.D., chairman of IMA’s board of directors. “IMA has always been committed to providing the highest quality care to our patients. We are pleased that Anthem has recognized our ability to deliver quality outcomes-focused health care to their subscribers.  We look forward to continuing to care for our many patients in south central Indiana.”

“This agreement in principle is welcome news for our customers in Monroe and surrounding counties because it means that they will continue to have a wide range of choices when it comes to choosing a physician to meet their health care needs,” said David Lee M.D., vice president of health care management for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana. “The goal of the contract is to provide our customers with access to quality medical care at rates they can afford, while also providing IMA with adequate reimbursement that is tied to positive clinical outcomes.”

Dr. Wes Ratliff earns certification

Dr. Wes Ratliff of Internal Medicine Associates recently earned Certification in Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Ratliff serves as President of Internal Medicine Associates where he has practiced since 1985. He is also Board Certified in Internal Medicine and in the subspecialty of Pulmonary Diseases. He is a graduate of the IU School of Medicine and completed his pulmonary fellowship at the University of South Florida in Tampa. IMA recently opened a Sleep Lab in its new facility at 2605 East Creek’s Edge Drive in Bloomington where he serves as medical director along with his fellow IMA pulmonary doctors, Dr. Russell Dukes and Dr. Eric Trueblood.

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