Forterus Plans Strategic Expansion in 2010

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Mon Nov 9, 2009 7:30am EST

MURRIETA, Calif., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Forterus Inc. (Pink Sheets:
FTER) is planning a strategic expansion in 2010 by leasing new facilities in
Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

The company, which currently provides drug and alcohol treatment services
through its 65-bed A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center subsidiary in Murrieta,
is seeking a conditional use permit for a 22-bed facility in Ventura County.
Forterus is also negotiating to lease additional facilities in Los Angeles and
San Diego counties. All three new facilities are expected to open in 2010.

"Insurance companies only refer clients to approved drug and alcohol treatment
providers within a certain distance of their homes, so the easiest way for us
to grow the insurance referral portion of our business is to open additional
facilities in different Southern California markets," said Forterus CEO Paul
Howarth.

Forterus's A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center subsidiary has been accredited
by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), which,
in addition to placing it among the top 5 percent of drug and alcohol
treatment providers in California, opens the door to insurance coverage for
its treatment programs. Forterus will seek CARF accreditation for its Ventura,
Los Angeles and San Diego facilities as soon as it obtains the appropriate
licenses for these new facilities.

"Our plan is to become the dominant insurance provider for drug and alcohol
treatment programs in Southern California," Howarth said.

However, Forterus may scale back the number of treatment beds it provides in
Murrieta as it opens additional facilities in other Southern California
locations. "In a perfect world, I would love to have 100 beds," Howarth said.
"But if the economy dictates that we can only maintain high occupancy levels
at 75 beds, that's the route we'll take. Much will depend on the economy and
the demand for our services in different geographic markets. Our focus is
strategic growth, and we are positioning Forterus so that when the economy
opens up, we will be in a great position to take advantage of it."

In addition to receiving insurance company referrals, Forterus also has
significant numbers of cash-pay clients as well as clients who take advantage
of the company's financing programs for drug and alcohol treatment services.
Forterus is one of only a handful of providers in the country that offer
financing for drug and alcohol treatment programs.  "About 5 to 10 percent of
our clients take advantage of our financing programs each month," Howarth
said, adding, "Next year, we are on place to finance well over $1 million
worth of drug and alcohol treatment services." 

For more information about Forterus and the variety of healthcare services it
provides, including behavioral, intervention services, drug and alcohol
rehabilitation, pain management and physical therapy, visit
www.forterushealthcare.com and www.abttc.com.

    CONTACT:

    Paul Howarth, CEO
    (888) 257-8345
    ir@forterus.com



SOURCE  Forterus Inc.

Paul Howarth, CEO, Forterus, +1-888-257-8345, ir@forterus.com
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