Medical News

PLEASANTON, CA May 15, 2004?-The AccessMedical Provider Network, a PPO network in the San Francisco Bay Area, announced today that Pacific Imaging has signed a contract for its outpatient diagnostic imaging facilities to join the AccessMedical Provider Network. Pacific Imaging joins a growing network of over 400 physicians and outpatient providers to offer affordable healthcare alternatives for the uninsured and the self-pay patients who are members of the AccessMedicalCard program. AccessMedicalCard is not medical insurance. It is a healthcare discount program.

?We are pleased to participate in AccessMedicalCard?s fee-for-service program for the uninsured, self-pay patient and to extend discounts for our imaging services to those most in need,? said Brigette Bathen, Director of Reimbursement Operations, for Pacific Imaging.

Pacific Imaging Centers has eight freestanding outpatient facilities throughout the Bay Area. These centers are located at Concord, Fremont, Oakland, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek and specialize in providing diagnostic images ordered by referring physicians. Equipped with state-of-the-art imaging modalities such as general radiology, mammography, CT, MRI and PET, these imaging centers combine advanced technological resources and interpretive expertise with convenience, responsiveness and outstanding patient services.

Pacific Imaging?s PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanner, at its Oakland facility, is the newest technological tool the imaging has developed to diagnose various cancers and neurological disorders.

Diagnostic Imaging is an essential first and follow-up step in treatment decisions for many illnesses. ?Better diagnostics result in better patient care and cost management. Consequently, diagnostic imaging is an important step in efficient, cost-effective healthcare,? stated Patrick Perkins, M.D., Pacific Imaging Consultant Radiologist. He further added, ?The diagnostic images created, and the radiology reports based on these images, enable more accurate diagnosis and efficient management of illness for referring physicians.?

Neal Gilbert, President of Surgical Care Partners, Inc., the owner of the AccessMedical Program, said, ?We have contracted with Pacific Imaging?s freestanding out-patient facilities to bring our members the diagnostic imaging services at savings that average $750 to $1,000 per procedure for MRI and CT. Members of our program will receive significant discounted fees for imaging services with savings of 40%. For example, an MRI of the lumbar spine ranges from $1,800 to $2,000. An AccessMedicalCard member would pay $1,000 to $1,200.?

About AccessMedicalCard:
AccessMedicalCard is a rapidly growing Bay Area PPO network of over 400 physicians and outpatient providers, dedicated to offering a web-enabled, fee-for-service discount, membership-based healthcare program for families, individuals and businesses. The physician and outpatient provider network includes surgery centers, diagnostic imaging centers, specialty and primary care urgent care networks, physical therapists, medical equipment, and medical supplies. Other discounted health care services include pain management, mental health and dental care. Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, and founded by Bay Area healthcare professionals, the Company is devoted to making affordable quality healthcare a reality for the uninsured and the self-pay patient.

The AccessMedicalCard initiative provides a comprehensive outpatient program offering consumers? quality healthcare in their community, when they need it at prices they can afford. There are no claims forms, deductibles, denials for pre-existing conditions or age based premiums. AccessMedicalCard is a provider network which has individual contracts with each of its providers. AccessMedicalCard also offers a low cost Business Program. Monthly membership costs for AccessMedicalCard?s ?Show Them That You Care? business program range from $14.95 to $19.95 per employee per month. For more information about AccessMedicalCard, please visit www.accessmedicalcard.com or call (925) 460-8895.

About Pacific Imaging Centers:
Pacific Imaging is dedicated to outstanding diagnostic imaging care and service to patients and physicians in San Francisco and the East Bay. Pacific Imaging strives to provide professional expertise, high-quality technology and convenient service in their outpatient facilities.

PLEASANTON, CA May 15, 2004?-The AccessMedical Provider Network, a PPO network in the San Francisco Bay Area, announced today that Pacific Imaging has signed a contract for its outpatient diagnostic imaging facilities to join the AccessMedical Provider Network. Pacific Imaging joins a growing network of over 400 physicians and outpatient providers to offer affordable healthcare alternatives for the uninsured and the self-pay patients who are members of the AccessMedicalCard program. AccessMedicalCard is not medical insurance. It is a healthcare discount program.

?We are pleased to participate in AccessMedicalCard?s fee-for-service program for the uninsured, self-pay patient and to extend discounts for our imaging services to those most in need,? said Brigette Bathen, Director of Reimbursement Operations, for Pacific Imaging.

Pacific Imaging Centers has eight freestanding outpatient facilities throughout the Bay Area. These centers are located at Concord, Fremont, Oakland, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek and specialize in providing diagnostic images ordered by referring physicians. Equipped with state-of-the-art imaging modalities such as general radiology, mammography, CT, MRI and PET, these imaging centers combine advanced technological resources and interpretive expertise with convenience, responsiveness and outstanding patient services.

Pacific Imaging?s PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanner, at its Oakland facility, is the newest technological tool the imaging has developed to diagnose various cancers and neurological disorders.

Diagnostic Imaging is an essential first and follow-up step in treatment decisions for many illnesses. ?Better diagnostics result in better patient care and cost management. Consequently, diagnostic imaging is an important step in efficient, cost-effective healthcare,? stated Patrick Perkins, M.D., Pacific Imaging Consultant Radiologist. He further added, ?The diagnostic images created, and the radiology reports based on these images, enable more accurate diagnosis and efficient management of illness for referring physicians.?

Neal Gilbert, President of Surgical Care Partners, Inc., the owner of the AccessMedical Program, said, ?We have contracted with Pacific Imaging?s freestanding out-patient facilities to bring our members the diagnostic imaging services at savings that average $750 to $1,000 per procedure for MRI and CT. Members of our program will receive significant discounted fees for imaging services with savings of 40%. For example, an MRI of the lumbar spine ranges from $1,800 to $2,000. An AccessMedicalCard member would pay $1,000 to $1,200.?

About AccessMedicalCard:
AccessMedicalCard is a rapidly growing Bay Area PPO network of over 400 physicians and outpatient providers, dedicated to offering a web-enabled, fee-for-service discount, membership-based healthcare program for families, individuals and businesses. The physician and outpatient provider network includes surgery centers, diagnostic imaging centers, specialty and primary care urgent care networks, physical therapists, medical equipment, and medical supplies. Other discounted health care services include pain management, mental health and dental care. Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, and founded by Bay Area healthcare professionals, the Company is devoted to making affordable quality healthcare a reality for the uninsured and the self-pay patient.

The AccessMedicalCard initiative provides a comprehensive outpatient program offering consumers? quality healthcare in their community, when they need it at prices they can afford. There are no claims forms, deductibles, denials for pre-existing conditions or age based premiums. AccessMedicalCard is a provider network which has individual contracts with each of its providers. AccessMedicalCard also offers a low cost Business Program. Monthly membership costs for AccessMedicalCard?s ?Show Them That You Care? business program range from $14.95 to $19.95 per employee per month. For more information about AccessMedicalCard, please visit www.accessmedicalcard.com or call (925) 460-8895.

About Pacific Imaging Centers:
Pacific Imaging is dedicated to outstanding diagnostic imaging care and service to patients and physicians in San Francisco and the East Bay. Pacific Imaging strives to provide professional expertise, high-quality technology and convenient service in their outpatient facilities.