CAROLINA CARE PLAN'S PARENT COMPANY BRINGS NEW JOBS TO COLUMBIA

January 21, 2008

Columbia, SC-- A new operations center will bring about 45 jobs to the Columbia area beginning next month.

Antares Management Solutions, which like Carolina Care Plan is a subsidiary of Medical Mutual of Ohio, is transitioning part of its operations center from West Virginia. The operations center is set to open the first week of February for training, with production slated to begin in April. Hiring is expected to be complete by November.

During the initial phase of staffing approximately 25 people were needed to fill the positions of claims processors, customer service representatives and supporting management and administrative staff. Antares Management Solutions hired 21 Carolina Care Plan employees, whose positions were being phased out due to consolidation of systems following the acquisition by Medical Mutual of Ohio last year.

"The ability to find skilled employees in the area will allow us to make a smooth transition. Once we get these folks trained, we will start hiring for the remaining positions," said Jim Harless, vice president of Operations. "We look forward to a strong presence in Columbia and continued growth."

Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, the company manages all aspects of insurance administration and offers integration, delivery and maintenance of information technology, all of which can be customized solutions.

The operations center will be located in the Carolina Care Plan building on Executive Center Drive.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, Carolina Care Plan is a wholly owned subsidiary of Medical Mutual of Ohio, one of the nation’s oldest health insurance companies. Carolina Care Plan serves as a partner to its clients, providing innovative, long-term healthcare solutions through its products and services. For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.CarolinaCarePlan.com.