Touchstone Health Announces Appointment of Michael A. Muchnicki as President & Chief Executive Officer

NEW YORK, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Touchstone Health HMO, Inc. announced today that Michael A. Muchnicki has recently joined the organization as President & Chief Executive Officer.

"We are extremely pleased to have Michael join Touchstone Health," says Steven Wiggins, Investor and Board Member of Touchstone Health. "His significant experience and expertise in leading organizations to success will further our growth and help us establish Touchstone Health as a leader in the New York marketplace."

"I am excited to be at Touchstone Health to further the growth and development of the company," says Muchnicki. "Touchstone Health has a rich New York history and I look forward to working with our government partners to provide great service to our members."

Muchnicki, an experienced Senior Executive in the Health Insurance industry, served as President of Vista Healthplans, Inc. in Florida, which was acquired by Coventry Health Care, Inc. in 2007. He spent most of his career at UnitedHealth Group as President and CEO of the Ohio, Louisiana and South Florida markets. In addition, he served as a Regional Vice President for the Southeast and Caribbean markets for CIGNA HealthCare. Muchnicki brings more than 20 years of managed care experience to Touchstone Health.

About Touchstone Health

Touchstone Health, headquartered in New York City, is an HMO focused on the Medicare market. Touchstone Health currently has 9,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Orange, Westchester, Broome, Chenango, Delaware & Onondaga counties. Benefits are available to anyone enrolled in both Medicare Part A and B and continue to pay their Medicare applicable premiums.

Touchstone Health is a privately held company owned and advised by, among other investors, Lehman Brothers Venture Capital, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures and Steven Wiggins. The company was originally formed to manage the medical services of enrollees of other HMOs operating in the federal Medicare program. During 2007, the company received an HMO license and no longer contracts with other HMOs. Touchstone prides itself on its local focus and customer service.

For more information about Touchstone Health, please visit the company's website at www.touchstone-health.com.

    Contact:   Jill Tobin
               Touchstone Health HMO, Inc.
               212-294-6996
               jtobin@touchstone-health.com