ADDING MULTIMEDIA Health Net Launches Groundbreaking Medicare Advantage Plan Targeting Latinos

Building on Health Net's popular suite of Salud con Health Net products
currently available to employers and individuals, this new,
comprehensive medical and prescription drug plan provides Latino
Medicare beneficiaries access to culturally sensitive health care
services in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San
Bernardino for the annual enrollment period, beginning November 15,
2009. The launch was announced at Health Net's East Los Angeles
Community Solutions Center.

"The Latino community is the fastest-growing market in California," said
Ana Andrade, Health Net, Inc. vice president of Latino Programs, who led
the launch of the company's first Salud product in 2000. "With this
plan, Latino seniors can count on affordability, cost predictability and
quality care from a network of culturally sensitive health care
providers who are Latino or are trained and experienced in providing
medical care that recognizes the special needs of Latinos."

Salud Medicare has a $0 monthly premium and $0 doctor and hospital
copayments. It also covers transportation services for medical-related
appointments to the plan's targeted network of health care providers.
Members also have the opportunity to improve their health and well-being
through a program called "Silver and Fit," which encourages members to
reap the health and wellness benefits of a fitness routine -- whether in
the comfort of their own home or by enrolling for a no-charge membership
at a local health club. For additional benefit information on Salud
Medicare, visit http://www.abetterdecision.com/.

Health Net's Salud Medicare plan helps expand the health care coverage
options needed by the Latino market. Research conducted in 2006 by
Hispanics and the Future of America, Committee on Population indicates
that elderly Latinos -- with or without health insurance -- are less
likely to see a physician and use preventive services provided by
medical professionals. Health Net believes cultural and language gaps in
health care settings contribute to this disparity and developed its
caregiver network to address these challenges.

According to DTC Perspectives, a market research report published
in September 2009, nearly half of Latino seniors say they
face language barriers because they speak little or no English. For
those individuals, this makes navigating the already-complex health care
system an even more daunting challenge. Given the depth of many health
care topics, in-language communication makes for better medical
decisions by physicians, patients and their families.

David Hayes-Bautista, Ph.D., a national expert on Latino health care,
said Health Net's Salud Medicare is a step in the right direction.
"While Latino seniors tend to see doctors and use hospitals less often
than their non-Latino peers, it is important that they are comfortable
in accessing the health care system when they need to and are encouraged
to seek preventive care," said Hayes-Bautisita. "Health Net selected
physician and other caregivers for its provider network who bridge the
cultural and language gaps that can create barriers for Latino patients."

According to the latest U.S. Census figures, Latino seniors, ages 65 and
older, currently total 2.3 million and make up 6.5 percent of the U.S.
elderly population. Projections have this group growing to 15 million by
the year 2050, making up 17.5 percent of the U.S. elderly population. Not
only will Latinos make up a large percentage of the elderly population
in the future, but several industry studies also indicate they are
expected to live longer than seniors of other ethnic backgrounds.

According to the latest Neilsen Universe estimates for the Los Angeles
DMA, which covers Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange
counties, Latino seniors over age 50 make up 26 percent of the area's
population.

About Health Net, Inc.

Health Net, Inc. is among the nation's largest publicly traded managed
health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure
and comfortable. The company's health plans and government contracts
subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.7 million
individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare,
Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net's
behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to
approximately 6.6 million individuals in all 50 states. The company's
subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to
prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination
for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical
groups and self-funded benefits programs.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the company's Web
site at www.healthnet.com.

For More Information
Health
Net Medicare Advantage Plans
Health
Net Online Newsroom
twitter.com/healthnet

Cautionary Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of
historical information provided herein, may be deemed to be
forward-looking statements and as such are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties. These statements are based on management's analysis,
judgment, belief and expectation only as of the date hereof, and are
subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Without limiting
the foregoing, statements including the words "believes," "anticipates,"
"plans," "expects," "may," "should," "could," "estimate," "intend" and
other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Actual results could differ materially due to, among other
things, any failure to close the pending sale of our Northeast business;
costs, fees and expenses related to the pending sale and proposed
post-closing administrative services; potential termination of our
TRICARE North operations; rising health care costs; a continued decline
in the economy; negative prior period claims reserve developments;
investment portfolio impairment charges; volatility in the financial
markets; trends in medical care ratios; unexpected utilization patterns
or unexpectedly severe or widespread illnesses; membership declines;
rate cuts affecting our Medicare or Medicaid businesses; litigation
costs; regulatory issues; operational issues; health care reform and
general business and market conditions. Additional factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks
discussed in the "Risk Factors" section included within the company's
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q, and the risks discussed in the company's other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The company
undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any of its forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date
of this release.

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SOURCE: Health Net, Inc.

Milagro Communications 
Christina Sanchez Camino, 310-420-1135 
ccamino@milagropr.com 
or 
Health Net, Inc 
Amy Sheyer, 818-676-8304 
amy.l.sheyer@healthnet.com 
twitter.com/hn_amy

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