MAMSI Asthma Yield Positive Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Wednesday, October 14, 1998 Diane Landry King 301-838-5636

MAMSI'S ASTHMA MANAGEMENT AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
YIELD POSITIVE RESULTS

Rockville, Md. -- The results of a two-year study to promote improved asthma health care and outcomes, sponsored by three health care companies, has been recently published in two prestigious medical journals. The joint study was funded and researched by Mid Atlantic Medical Services, Inc. (MAMSI) (NYSE-MME), one of the mid-Atlantic region's largest managed care companies; Integrated Therapeutics Group, a wholly-owned health management subsidiary of Schering-Plough Corporation; and Diversified Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., a pharmaceutical benefits management company and SmithKline Beecham subsidiary.

The two studies demonstrate the value of asthma education and disease management programs. In the first study, a sample of MAMSI's HMO members received educational material about asthma over a two-year period. This group reported greater satisfaction with their quality of life and required fewer hospital stays in the second year, as compared to the baseline year. In the second study, MAMSI implemented a comprehensive asthma management program for certain HMO members. This program also demonstrated significant clinical improvement and health care outcomes for enrolled MAMSI health plan members.

"These studies prove the value of emphasizing preventive health care," Mark Groban, M.D., MAMSI's Medical Director for Quality Assurance remarked. "Being a member of a MAMSI health plan means you'll have ready access to educational materials and disease management programs. By emphasizing preventive health care, MAMSI improves members' disease awareness, which leads to a better quality of life for our members."

"I'm proud of MAMSI's participation in this study," stated George T. Jochum, Chairman, CEO, and President of MAMSI. "The studies show our commitment to quality improvement and the positive difference our programs bring to our members and participating health care practitioners. By working together, MAMSI and its health care practitioners can greatly improve our members' quality of life."

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, asthma is now the number one chronic illness among children, leading to countless school absences, pediatrician visits, and trips to the emergency room.

Complete information on the study is available in two articles: "Effects of an Asthma Management Program on the Asthmatic Member: Patient-Centered Results of a two-year study in a Managed Care Organization," The American Journal of Managed Care, September 1998; and "Clinical Benefits and Cost Reduction Associated with a Comprehensive Asthma Management Program at a Managed Care Organization," Disease Management Health Outcomes, August 4th, 1998.

Mid Atlantic Medical Services, Inc. is one of the largest managed care companies in the mid-Atlantic region, with its health plan subsidiaries covering more than 1.7 million lives in Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Delaware, and West Virginia. The Company's internet address is www.mamsi.com.

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