Former CIGNA HealthCare Exec Joins American Specialty Health as Group Sales VP

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robert L. Matthews II has been
appointed vice president of group sales at national health and wellness company
American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH). Matthews joins ASH to lead the
company's rapidly increasing employer group sales team and to further develop
marketing channels with large employer group brokers and consulting houses.

Matthews brings close to 15 years of sales and sales leadership experience to
ASH. Prior to joining ASH, Matthews was vice president of national account sales
at CIGNA HealthCare. There, he was responsible for new business production in
the southwest region for all CIGNA product lines.

Previously, Matthews was vice president of sales at WinningHabits, a division of
Matria Healthcare. Matthews has worked with NASA and Ohio State University, in
addition to multiple past and present Fortune 500 corporations including Texas
Instruments, Honeywell, Apple, AOL, Dell, Sodexho, Proctor & Gamble, Mercer,
Duke Energy, and Stryker.

"It is truly exciting to have someone as energetic, as focused, and as talented
as Rob leading our group sales efforts," said ASH's chief sales officer Pamela
Lauper. "I look forward to working closely with him to develop and execute our
strategic initiatives for group sales."

Matthews received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Northwest Missouri
State University. Prior to receiving his degree, Matthews served as a tank
commander in the United States Army, where he provided front-line leadership for
crewmen involved in multiple international military operations.

About American Specialty Health

American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) is a national health and wellness
company that provides population health management programs including prevention
and wellness services, specialty network management programs, and fitness and
exercise services to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and
trust funds. Based in San Diego since its inception in 1987, ASH has more than
700 employees and covers over 15.6 million members.

For more information about ASH health and wellness programs, visit
www.ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.

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CONTACT: American Specialty Health Incorporated
Debby Clark
619.578.2000
debbyc@ashn.com
Tim Curns
800.848.3555
timc@ashn.com