October 19, 2004, Mesa, Arizona.  NextCare Urgent Care reintroduces the ValueCare Discount Medical Program, sold exclusively to patients without health insurance. This innovative product is a solution for the 1.6 million uninsured individuals in Arizona who lack access to quality, affordable medical care. Qualifi ed individuals pay a nominal annual fee of $35 (online purchase) or $50 onsite at any of the NextCare locations for a ValueCare identifi cation card. This membership entitles the cardholder to approximately 50% off medical services at any of the NextCare locations. ValueCare cards can be purchased online at www.nextcare.com, by calling 1-800-NextCare or at the point of service at any NextCare Urgent Care. The company plans to expand to Colorado in the next few months and will offer the ValueCare program in this market as well.

The greatest issue facing the uninsured is the delay in care, which according to the Institute of Medicine, has resulted in 18,000 unnecessary deaths each year. “I see hundreds of uninsured patients who seeking treatment in our over-crowded, under-staffed emergency rooms, where by law, they must receive emergency stabilization” says John Shufeldt, MD, Emergency Physician at St. Joseph’s Medical Center and CEO for NextCare Urgent Care. Often, other health care consumers bear the cost of this uncompensated care. The ValueCare Program offers the uninsured affordable access to prompt quality healthcare and a convenient alternative to the ER. Educating consumers to know when to go to an urgent care will benefi t the entire system, and allow ER’s to focus on true life threatening conditions.

Urgent care facilities serve to fill the gap between overbooked primary care offices and overcrowded emergency rooms, for non life-threatening conditions. Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of an urgent care is their accessibility. NextCare is open 7 days a week, evenings and holidays and does not require an appointment. However, they do have a call ahead scheduling program which allows a patient to dial into the 800 number and book a room at the closest NextCare facility. The patient is assured to have a room at the scheduled appointment time and is able to check in and be seen within moments of arrival. Patients are able to avoid the long wait times that can occur in the busy winter months. The facilities are equipped to handle a variety of ailments including sprains, strains, pneumonia, abdominal pain, cold and cough, fl u and lacerations. The ValueCare card is valid for discounts on all services offered at NextCare. The ValueCare program is NextCare’s solution to the ailing healthcare issue facing millions of Americans. When asked about the epidemic of the rising uninsured population John Shufeldt, CEO of NextCare replied, “It is imperative that all individuals have access to quality healthcare. The ValueCare program is one of our efforts to act as a corporate citizen and provide an affordable option to the uninsured members of our community.”

About NextCare Urgent Care
NextCare Urgent Care is a leading provider of urgent care and occupational medical services in the Southwest. NextCare owns and operates 10 facilities in Arizona, with 2 additional locations expected to open by year end 2004. The company is expanding to Colorado, with 4 locations under development. The NextCare team is committed to providing high quality, affordable healthcare and is currently pursuing plans for further U.S. expansion.

For more information about NextCare and its services, please contact:
Kelly Kimble, at 1-800-NEXTCARE