HEALTH NET’SDECISION POWERSM

A BETTER DECISION IS ONE YOU MAKE,

BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO MAKE IT ALONE.

Resources for ConfidentHealth Care Decisions

PULLING IT TOGETHERYou’re in your doctor’s office. Maybe you’re thinking about how

you can pick up dinner and your dry cleaning, and still pull

things together in time to watch your favorite reality T.V. show.

Your doctor comes in and says: “We’ll need to run a few more

tests to determine…” and you freeze. You may not even be

hearing what your doctor is saying, but thinking: “What’s

happening to me?” and “What about my family?” But, you know

this could be serious, so you try to remain focused.

Nothing is more disarming than the moment you or a loved one

is diagnosed, suspected of having, or even showing the

symptoms of a major medical condition. Just when you feel

most vulnerable – this is when you need support.

With Decision Power, you can:

Talk to a Health Coach anytime (even three o’clock in themorning) to discuss your concerns. And this person will listen,help you understand your condition and treatment options andfollow-up later, to make sure you’re still on track.

Watch support videos that show why different people choosedifferent treatment courses for the same health condition.

Assess and monitor your health, using a variety of online tools.

Learn more about a broad array of health topics, from resourcesyou can trust and understand.

At Health Net, we’re working to change your idea of a “healthplan.” Our mission is to support your quest for optimal health.Above all, we want you to be able to make A Better DecisionSM –one that is right for you and made with confidence.

Then, you’re hit with your own reality.

That’s why we offer Decision Power.SM

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› See how it works.

TALK TO A HEALTH COACHSo, now you have something more to think about. What’s your next step?

Get prepared. Learn all you can. Ask your doctor questions.

Trouble is, most conditions don’t go away in one day, or once you leave

your doctor’s office. That’s why our specially trained Health Coaches are

available to you, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Health Coaches are specially trained health professionals, such as nurses,

dieticians and respiratory therapists. They are there to offer their expertise

and support, whenever you call. You can request to be assigned to the

same Health Coach, and this person will establish an ongoing relationship

of support. He or she can help you work more closely with your doctor,

follow-up on your condition, and even help you develop everyday action

plans that support your doctor’s prescribed treatment course. Whether it’s

a nagging cough or an ongoing health concern, Health Coaches will help

you make your health care decisions with confidence.

LEARN FROM OTHERSMaking a confident health care decision may sound easy. But what

if you are facing major surgery, or are at a crossroad in your course

of treatment?

Sometimes, the most reassuring voice can be the voice of experience.

That’s why Decision Power offers complimentary support videos. These

videos feature doctor-patient encounters presented in a straightforward,

unbiased format. You’ll witness how individuals might come to completely

different treatment selections for the same condition, and why. Hearing what

others who have been in your shoes are saying may be the key to making

your tough decision seem less clinical, perhaps a little less frightening.

And that can only help.

Of those who have worked with

Health Coaches, 80% report a

higher level of confidence in

dealing with their health and

medical concerns; 80% feel that

talking with a Health Coach has

helped them to improve their

condition; 95% would recommend

the service to a friend.1

1Health Dialog Services Corporation member survey, 2003.

WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYINGThe Health Coach has given me magnificent informationregarding my condition. She’sbeen following my progress and getting me updates. This is a wonderful service, and it’swonderful to have someone tolisten to your complaints, notdismiss you, and really help youresearch your medical condition…I wish everybody had Health Net…

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WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYINGI am a Health Net patient and I had breast cancer. Your [HealthCoach] sent me this film and abooklet about options with breastcancer, early stage. It was veryinformative, very concise…easyto read and illustrated so well. I didn’t linger too long on mydecision after I had mylumpectomy, and so I went ahead and had what they call amodified radical mastectomy. I had that done on Tuesday nightand was home on Wednesday andam feeling fine. I just talked toyour representative and she wasvery kind to inquire as to howI was doing, and I appreciateeverything that Health Net hasdone towards helping me dealwith this breast cancer.

ASSESS AND MONITOR YOUR HEALTHSometimes, the best health decisions are made before problems occur.

This may mean assessing whether a visit to a doctor or specialist is

necessary. Or tracking and managing a health condition over time.

That’s why we offer the following online tools and resources:

• Health Survey – Address potential conditions early by taking this

comprehensive online survey. You’ll receive a personalized list of items

to discuss with your doctor and recommendations about preventing

potential health problems.

• Symptom Diary – Track and monitor your medical condition over time.

The diary can be shared with your Health Coach and with your doctor,

so that he or she can better address your concerns.

• Medication Log – This resource helps you to keep track of all medications

(prescription, over-the-counter and vitamins and supplements) in a list that

can be shared with your doctor or pharmacist. Ultimately, this can help you

avoid any potentially adverse drug-to-drug interactions.

• Drug Pricing Tool – This online tool allows you to find out how much a

drug costs under your plan coverage before you visit the pharmacy, and

learn about more affordable alternatives that your doctor may approve.

• Hospital Comparison Report – Outcomes can vary from one hospital to

the next. And not all charge the same rates. The Hospital Comparison

Report lets you decide which hospital best meets your needs and

preferences. Compare nearby hospitals based on:

– Number of patients treated for your condition or procedure

– Mortality rates

– Unfavorable outcomes

– Average lengths of stay

– Relative costs

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GET INFORMEDWith so much information available in today’s complicated world of

medicine, it is increasingly difficult to make sense of it all. The following

online resources provide information you can understand and trust.

To access these tools, members can log on to www.healthnet.com >

Make an Informed Decision > Get Decision Support.

HealthGate® EBM Solutions describes symptoms, causes, preventive

measures and the relative successes of various treatments for your

condition. Your doctor also can access the same information, putting both

of you on the same page to discuss your best course of treatment.

Healthwise® Knowledgebase, an online health encyclopedia, contains

information on over 5,500 topics, including health conditions and

diseases, wellness, medical tests, surgical procedures, prescription and

over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, complementary

and alternative medicine, self-help and support groups.

HEAR® Audio Library provides information on more than 300 health topics

ranging from arthritis and anxiety to pneumonia and immunizations.

Health Crossroads,SM online presentations that show real patients making

different choices for the same condition. You also can learn more about

your own options.

WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYINGI’m a new member of the Health Net HMO plan, andrecently had some symptoms I was in doubt about, and wasprepared to just wait and seewhat happened. I called Decision Power and receivedsome information that clarifiedfor me that I might well besuffering from appendicitis. I subsequently went to my doctorand then the emergency roombased on the initial advice of thephone-line nurse. Indeed, I wasdiagnosed with appendicitis, andit was taken care of in a timelymanner. Otherwise, I would havebeen prepared just to wait in bed for a day or so and see whathappened. I’m glad I didn’t, andI’m glad your service was there.Thanks.

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You have access to Decision PowerSM through your current enrollment with any of the following Health Net companies: Health Net of Arizona, Inc.; Health Net of California, Inc.; Health Net ofConnecticut, Inc.; Health Net of New Jersey, Inc.; Health Net of New York, Inc.; Health Net Health Plan of Oregon, Inc.; Health Net Insurance of Connecticut, Inc.; Health Net Insurance of New York, Inc.; Health Net Life Insurance Company.

Decision PowerSM is not part of Health Net’s medical benefit plans nor affiliated with Health Net’s provider network. Decision Power services, including Health Coaches, are additional resources that Health Net makes available free of charge to enrollees of the above listed Health Net companies. The Decision Power program may be revised or withdrawn at any time without notice.

In Arizona, benefits are underwritten and/or administered by Health Net of Arizona, Inc., for HMO plans and Health Net Life Insurance Company for indemnity plans and life insurance coverage. Health Net, Inc., is the parent company of both Health Net of Arizona, Inc., and Health Net Life Insurance Company.

CORP21767 (7/05)Health Net® is a registered trademark of Health Net, Inc. A Better DecisionSM and Decision PowerSM are service marks of Health Net, Inc. HealthGate® is a registered trademark of HealthGate Data Corp.Healthwise® is a registered trademark of Healthwise, Inc. All rights reserved.

CONTACT USFor more information about Health Net, contact the Customer Contact Center at the following numbers:

Health Net of Arizona, Inc.1-800-289-2818

Health Net of California, Inc. andHealth Net Life Insurance Company1-800-522-0088

Health Net of the Northeast, Inc.1-800-441-5741

Health Net Health Plan of Oregon, Inc.1-888-802-7001