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Meritain Health Announces Strategic Collaboration with Great-West Healthcare

Contact:
Kara DePaola
410.902.5023
kdepaola@mghus.com

Leverages comprehensive provider network with extensive access and discounts; optimizes services for self-funded health plans

BUFFALO, N.Y. (January 23, 2008) - Meritain Health, the nation's largest independent provider of services for self-funded health and wellness plans, today announced a strategic collaboration with Great-West Healthcare. Through this combined effort, Meritain Health will provide clients with access to Great-West Healthcare's national provider network. The extended resource platform is another example of how Meritain Health is using its size and strength to create compelling health plan offerings for its clients.

This integrated relationship with Great-West Healthcare enables Meritain Health to provide another comprehensive national network option - consisting of more than 500,000 providers - designed to meet the needs of clients and members. The Great-West Healthcare alliance demonstrates Meritain Health's commitment to help employers control the long-term cost of healthcare while providing superior service and flexibility.

"Great-West Healthcare and Meritain Health share the same values in offering quality healthcare and cost savings, making this strategic business move a perfect fit for many of our clients," said Richard Bukovinsky, President of National Sales for Meritain Health. "With access to Great-West Healthcare's national network, we are able to provide clients with more healthcare options and greater discounts; combined with Meritain Health's quality administrative services, wellness programs, consumer education tools and top-notch client service."

A representative for Great-West Healthcare said, "We are pleased to participate in this collaborative effort with Meritain Health, which is known for its administrative expertise, flexibility and high-quality services."

About Meritain Health
Meritain Health is the nation's largest independent provider of services for self-funded health plans. Meritain Health serves over 1,400 self-funded clients and over a million members nationally. The company provides plan administration, innovative wellness, medical management, disease management, network management, and cost management services. Meritain Health is also a pioneer and now the leading independent provider of Consumer-Directed Health Plans. Meritain Health employs over 1,350 people, with headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y., and regional offices in 28 cities across the country.

About Great-West Healthcare
Great-West Healthcare, a division of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, is a national employee benefits provider with expertise in self-funding and health care management solutions. Nationally, the division operates a health care network that includes more than 4,275 hospitals and 578,000 providers and provides health care coverage to 2.2 million people. Visit www.greatwesthealthcare.com for more information. Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, headquartered in metro Denver, serves its customers through a full range of health care plans, life and disability insurance, annuities, and retirement savings products and services. It is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc. and a member of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies. Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company is not licensed to do business in New York. Products are sold in New York by its subsidiary First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, White Plains, N.Y.