First Health Joins NASDAQ-100 Index

Contact:
Edward L. Wristen, President and CEO
or
Joseph E. Whitters, CFO
630-737-7511

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – December 16, 2002 – Edward L. Wristen, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Health Group Corp. (NASDAQ:  FHCC), announced that First Health has been added to the NASDAQ-100 Index®.  The NASDAQ-100 Index is composed of the premier, non-financial, growth companies and has become a financial benchmark for investors globally.

"First Health has continued to post record revenues and income despite the economic downturn," said Edward L. Wristen, President and CEO, First Health.  "We consider it a great honor to be listed on the NASDAQ-100 Index and are pleased to be recognized for the value and service we provide."

The NASDAQ-100 Index, launched in January 1985, reflects NASDAQ's largest non-financial companies across major industry groups.  Index securities are ranked by market value and evaluated annually to determine which securities will be included.  The NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock^SM represents ownership in the NASDAQ-100 Trust.  The Trust holds a portfolio of equity securities that compose the NASDAQ-100 Index and aims to provide investment results that generally correspond with the NASDAQ-100 Index performance.  

"Being selected to the NASDAQ-100 Index recognizes the value of First Health's business model and our strong economic viability," added Joseph E. Whitters, Chief Financial Officer, First Health. 

About First Health

First Health, the premier national health-benefits services company, specializes in providing large payors with integrated managed care solutions.  First Health is a unique national managed care company serving the group health, workers' compensation and state agency markets.  Using technology to enable service and managed care innovations, First Health sets the bar for industry performance.  For more information, visit the Company website at www.firsthealth.com.

Forward-Looking Statements Notice

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties.  In accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the inability of the Company to continue to:  (i) enter into contracts with and successfully implement programs for new clients within the time frame established by the Company and achieve the revenue growth expected to result from the addition of such clients,  (ii) expand its group health, workers' compensation and public sector business, (iii) control health care benefit expenses, (iv) achieve operation and cost synergies anticipated as a result of the CCN and Mail Handlers acquisitions, (v) add CCN's contracted providers to The First Health® Network on a timely basis, or (vi) successfully integrate the recently acquired Mail Handlers Benefit Plan administrative assets.  All forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements.