A.M. Best Withdraws Rating of USAble Corporation

A.M. Best Co. has withdrawn the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of "a" of USAble Corporation (USAC) (Little Rock, AR), a subsidiary of USAble Mutual Insurance Company (d/b/a Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield).

Effective January 1, 2010, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield assumed the role of third-party administrator for the group, and the majority of the business previously written through USAC has been transitioned to its parent.

The principal methodology used in determining these ratings is Best's Credit Rating Methodology -- Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Edition, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best's rating process and highlights the different rating criteria employed. Additional key criteria utilized include: "Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies" and "Assessing Country Risk." Methodologies can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology. Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright © 2011 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.