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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Mark One)
(X) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
OR
(  ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to____
Commission File Number 1-8538
ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes             X                  No                    

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in the definitive Proxy Statement or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.

 Yes                                  No            X     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

Yes             X                  No                    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

 Yes                                  No            X     

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant amounted to $1,633,963 as of February 25, 2004. As of February 25, 2004, 6,535,850 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain portions of Registrant's definitive proxy statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting, to be filed with the securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 30, 2004, are incorporated by reference under part III of this Form 10-K.

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.

2003 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

ITEM 1 — BUSINESS

GENERAL

Ascent Assurance, Inc. (“Ascent”) is the successor to a Delaware company originally incorporated in 1982 as an insurance holding company. Ascent, through its applicable subsidiaries, is engaged in the development, marketing, underwriting and administration of medical expense and supplemental health insurance products, primarily to self-employed individuals and small business owners.

The Company’s revenues result primarily from premiums and fees from the insurance products sold or reinsured by its wholly-owned life and health insurance subsidiaries, National Foundation Life Insurance Company (“NFL”), Freedom Life Insurance Company of America (“FLICA”), National Financial Insurance Company (“NFIC”) and American Insurance Company of Texas (“AICT”) and together with NFL, NFIC and FLICA, collectively, the “Insurance Subsidiaries”. The Insurance Subsidiaries are licensed to conduct business in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Each of the following states accounted for more than 5% of premium revenue for the year ended December 31, 2003: Florida — 18%, Texas — 13 %, Colorado — 8%, and Oklahoma — 6%.

The Company, through applicable subsidiaries, also derives fee and service revenue from (i) telemarketing services, (ii) printing services and (iii) renewal commissions for prior year sales of both affiliated and unaffiliated insurance products, and (iv) commissions on the sale of the benefits of unaffiliated membership benefit programs.

MARKETING DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

NationalCare^® Marketing, Inc. (“NCM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, is the principal distribution channel for the products of NFL and FLICA. NCM maintains an agency force that is organized by geographic region. All members of NCM’s agency force are independent contractors and all compensation received is based upon sales production and the persistency of such production. NCM’s agents market the insurance products of NFL and FLICA on a one-to-one basis to individuals who are either, not covered under group insurance protection normally available to employees of business organizations or, who wish to change or supplement existing coverage.

Sales leads for NCM’s agents are generated principally by the Company’s tele-survey subsidiary, Precision Dialing Services (“PDS”). By utilizing a predictive automated dialing system, PDS is able to generate quality sales leads that maintain the efficiency of NCM’s agency force. By providing these sales leads, NCM believes that its ability to attract experienced agents as well as new agents is enhanced.

DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTS

The Company’s operations are comprised of one segment, Accident and Health insurance. The principal products currently underwritten by NFL and FLICA are medical expense reimbursement and supplemental policies. These products are designed with flexibility as to benefits, deductibles, coinsurance and premiums. The principal product groups currently underwritten by NFL and FLICA are summarized below:

Major medical and hospital surgical medical expense products comprise approximately 99% of new business sales. These products are individually underwritten based upon medical information provided by the applicant prior to issue. Information provided in the application is verified with the applicant through a tape-recorded telephone conversation or through written correspondence. In addition, the underwriting procedures for major medical products currently sold by NFL and FLICA include a para-med examination or other medical tests, depending on the age of the applicant.

Prior to 1998, some of the Insurance Subsidiaries also underwrote Medicare Supplement products designed to provide reimbursement for certain expenses not covered by the Medicare program. Such Insurance Subsidiaries continue to receive renewal premiums on Medicare Supplement policies sold prior to that date.

See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for a discussion of premium revenue by product.

COMPETITION

The accident and health insurance industry is highly competitive and includes a large number of insurance companies, many of which have substantially greater financial resources, broader and more diversified product lines, favorable ratings from A.M. Best Company, Inc. (“A.M. Best”) and larger staffs than the Company. Competitive factors applicable to the Insurance Subsidiaries’ business include product mix, policy benefits, service to policyholders and premium rates. The Insurance Subsidiaries believe that their current benefits and premium rates are generally competitive with those offered by other companies. Management believes that service to policyholders and prompt and fair payment of claims continue to be important factors in the Insurance Subsidiaries’ ability to remain competitive. The Insurance Subsidiaries are not currently rated with A.M. Best. The Company believes that the Insurance Subsidiaries lack of an A.M. Best rating is not a significant factor affecting the ability to sell products in the markets served.

Private insurers and voluntary and cooperative plans, such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield and HMOs, provide various alternatives for defraying hospitalization and medical expenses. Much of this health coverage is sold on a group basis to employer-sponsored groups. The federal and state governments also provide programs for the payment of the costs associated with medical care through Medicare and Medicaid. These major medical programs generally cover a substantial amount of the medical expenses incurred as a result of accidents or illnesses. The Insurance Subsidiaries’ major medical products are designed to provide coverage, which is similar to these major medical insurance programs, but are sold primarily to persons not covered by an employer-sponsored group.

The Insurance Subsidiaries’ supplemental specified disease products are designed to provide coverage which is supplemental to major medical insurance and may be used to defray non-medical as well as medical expenses. Since these policies are sold to complement major medical insurance, the Insurance Subsidiaries compete only indirectly with those insurers providing major medical insurance, however, other insurers may expand coverage in the future, which could reduce future sales levels and profit margins. Medicare supplement products are designed to supplement the Medicare program by reimbursing for expenses not covered by such program. Future government programs may impact the rate of participation by private entities in such government programs.

In addition to product and service competition, there is also very strong competition within the accident and health insurance market for qualified, effective agents. The recruitment and retention of such agents is important to the success and growth of the Company’s business. Management believes that NCM is competitive with respect to the recruitment, training and retention of such agents. However, there can be no assurance that NCM will be able to continue to recruit or retain qualified, effective agents.

STATE REGULATION

General.     The Company and its Insurance Subsidiaries are subject to regulation and supervision in all jurisdictions in which they conduct business. In general, state insurance laws establish supervisory agencies with broad administrative powers relating to, among other things, the granting and revoking of licenses to transact business, regulation of trade practices, premium rate levels, premium rate increases, licensing of agents, approval of content and form of policies, maintenance of specified minimum statutory reserves and statutory capital and surplus, deposits of securities, form and content of required financial statements, nature of investments and limitations on dividends to stockholders. The purpose of such regulation and supervision is primarily to provide safeguards for policyholders rather than to protect the interests of stockholders.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) is a voluntary association of all of the state insurance commissioners in the United States. The primary function of the NAIC is to develop model laws on key insurance regulatory issues that can be used as guidelines for individual states in adopting or enacting insurance legislation. While the NAIC model laws are accorded substantial deference within the insurance industry, these laws are not binding on insurance companies unless enacted into state law and variations from the model laws from state to state are common.

The Insurance Subsidiaries are all domiciled in Texas and are therefore subject to regulation under Texas laws. The State of Texas has enacted insurance holding company laws that require registration and periodic reporting by insurance companies. Such legislation typically places restrictions on, or requires prior notice or approval of, certain transactions between insurers and other companies within the holding company system, including, without limitation, dividend payments from insurance subsidiaries and the terms of loans and transfers of assets within the holding company structure.

Product Approvals. Generally, before an insurance company is permitted to market an individual insurance product in a particular state, it must obtain regulatory approval from that state and adhere to that state’s insurance laws and regulations which include, among other things, specific requirements regarding the form, language, premium rates and policy benefits of that product. Consequently, although the Insurance Subsidiaries’ policies generally provide for the same basic types and levels of coverage in each of the states in which they are marketed, the policies are not precisely identical in each state or other jurisdiction in which they are sold. Such regulation may delay the introduction of new products and may impede, or impose burdensome conditions on, rate increases or other actions that the Insurance Subsidiaries may wish to take in order to enhance their operating results. In addition, federal or state legislation or regulatory pronouncements may be enacted that may prohibit or impose restrictions on the ability to sell certain types of insurance products or impose other restrictions on the Company’s operations. For example, certain states in which the Insurance Subsidiaries do business have adopted NAIC model statutes and regulations relating to market conduct practices of insurance companies. Any limitations or other restrictions imposed on the Insurance Subsidiaries’ market conduct practices by the regulators of a state that has adopted the model statutes and regulations may also be imposed by the regulators in other states that have adopted such statutes and regulations. No assurances can be given that future legislative or regulatory changes will not adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

In addition, state insurance departments generally require the maintenance of certain minimum loss ratios on certain product lines. The states in which the Insurance Subsidiaries are licensed have the authority to change the minimum mandated statutory loss ratios to which the Insurance Subsidiaries are subject, the manner in which these ratios are computed and the manner in which compliance with these ratios is measured and enforced. Most states in which the Insurance Subsidiaries write health insurance products have adopted the loss ratios recommended by the NAIC. The Company is unable to predict the impact of (i) any changes in the mandatory statutory loss ratios relating to products offered by the Insurance Subsidiaries or (ii) any change in the manner in which these minimums are computed or enforced in the future. Similarly, the Insurance Subsidiaries’ ability to increase its premium rates in response to adverse loss ratios is subject to regulatory approval. Failure to obtain such approval could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

NAIC Accounting Principles. In 1998, the NAIC adopted the Codification of Statutory Accounting Principles which became the NAIC’s primary guidance on statutory accounting. The Texas Department of Insurance adopted the Codification effective January 1, 2001. Statutory accounting practices (“SAP”) differ in some respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The significant differences are:

Risk-Based Capital. The NAIC’s Risk-Based Capital for Life and/or Health Insurers Model Act (the “Model Act”) provides a tool for insurance regulators to determine the levels of statutory capital and surplus an insurer must maintain in relation to its insurance and investment risks and whether there is a need for possible regulatory attention. The Model Act (or similar legislation or regulation) has been adopted in states where the Insurance Subsidiaries are domiciled. The Model Act provides four levels of regulatory attention, varying with the ratio of the insurance company’s total adjusted capital (defined as the total of its statutory capital and surplus, asset valuation reserve and certain other adjustments) to its authorized control level risk-based capital (“RBC”):

The Texas Department of Insurance adopted the NAIC’s RBC Model Act during 2000. NFL’s and FLICA’s statutory annual statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Texas Department of Insurance reflected total adjusted capital in excess of Company Action Level RBC.

In 1998, NFIC and AICT entered into a voluntary consent order, pursuant to Article 1.32 of the Texas Insurance Code, providing for the continued monitoring of the operations of NFIC and AICT by the Texas Department of Insurance in response to losses sustained in 1997 and 1998 as well as the projected inability to meet RBC requirements. Both NFIC and AICT ceased the sale and underwriting of new business in 1998. At December 31, 2003, AICT’s RBC exceeded Company Action Level RBC; however, NFIC’s RBC only exceeded Regulatory Action Level RBC. Both NFIC and AICT are in compliance with the terms of the voluntary consent order.

Premium-Writing Ratios. Under Florida Statutes Section 624.4095, Florida licensed insurance companies’ ratio of actual or projected annual written premiums to current or projected surplus with regards to policyholders (“the premium-writing ratio”) may not exceed specified levels for gross and net written premiums as defined by the statute. If a company exceeds the premium-writing ratio, the Florida Department of Insurance shall suspend the company’s certificate of authority in Florida or, establish by order, maximum gross or net annual premiums to be written by the company consistent with maintaining the ratios specified. Only FLICA writes comprehensive major medical and hospital/surgical medical expense new business in Florida; however, Florida production represents approximately 31% of the Company’s consolidated new business sales. At December 31, 2003, the premium-writing ratio for FLICA complied with the limit mandated by Florida law.

Dividends.     Dividends paid by the Insurance Subsidiaries are determined by and subject to the regulations of the insurance laws and practices of the Texas Department of Insurance. Generally, the Texas Insurance Code allows life and health insurance companies to make dividend payments from surplus profits or earned surplus arising from its business. Earned surplus is defined as unassigned surplus excluding any unrealized gains. Texas life and health insurance companies may generally pay ordinary dividends or make distributions of cash or other property in the current twelve month period with a fair market value equal to or less than the greater of 10% of surplus as regards policyholders as of the preceding December 31 or the net gain from operations for the twelve month period ending on the preceding December 31. Dividends exceeding the applicable threshold are considered extraordinary and require the prior approval of the Texas Insurance Commissioner.

The Insurance Subsidiaries are precluded from paying dividends during 2004 without prior approval of the Texas Insurance Commissioner, as the companies’ earned surplus is negative. Due to statutory losses incurred by the Insurance Subsidiaries in prior years, the Company does not expect to receive any dividends from the Insurance Subsidiaries for the foreseeable future.

Guaranty Associations. The Insurance Subsidiaries may be required, under the solvency or guaranty laws of most states in which they do business, to pay assessments (up to prescribed limits) to fund policyholder losses or liabilities of insurance companies that become insolvent. Non-affiliated insurance company insolvencies increase the possibility that such assessments may be required. These assessments may be deferred or forgiven under most guaranty laws if they would threaten an insurer’s financial strength and, in certain instances, may be offset against future premium taxes. The incurrence and amount of such assessments may increase in the future without notice. The Insurance Subsidiaries pay the amount of such assessments as they are incurred. Assessments that cannot be offset against future premium taxes are charged to expense. Assessments that qualify for offset against future premium taxes are capitalized and are offset against such future premium taxes. As a result of such assessments, the Insurance Subsidiaries paid approximately $20,000 during the year ended December 31, 2003.

FEDERAL REGULATION

HIPAA.     This federal regulation, among other things, mandates the adoption of standards for the exchange of electronic health information in an effort to encourage overall administrative simplification and enhance the effectiveness and the efficiency of the healthcare industry. This legislation also promotes so-called “accountability” by requiring compliance with certain privacy and security standards in connection with individually identifiable protected health information of certain individuals. Another key component is “portability”, or an individual’s right, under certain circumstances, to satisfy waiting periods or pre-existing coverage limitations contained in an individual policy form providing new coverage for such individual, as a result of the length of time such individual was covered under a prior group health plan.

In December 2000, final regulations were issued regarding the privacy of individually identifiable health information. This final rule on privacy applies to both electronic and paper records and imposes extensive requirements on the way in which health care providers, health plan sponsors, health insurance companies, and their business associates use and disclose protected information. Under the new HIPAA privacy rules the Company is now required to (a) comply with a variety of requirements concerning its use and disclosure of individuals’ protected health information, (b) establish rigorous internal procedures to protect health information, and (c) enter into business associate contracts with other companies that use similar privacy protection procedures. The final rules do not provide for complete federal preemption of state laws, but, rather, preempt all contrary state laws unless the state law is more stringent. The effective date of the rules was April 14, 2003.

In February 2003, rules were published related to the security of electronic health data, including individual health information and medical records, for health plans, health care providers, and health care clearinghouses that maintain or transmit health information electronically. The rules would require these businesses to establish and maintain confidentiality of this information. The standards embraced by these rules include the implementation of technical and organization policies, practices and procedures for security and confidentiality of health information and protecting its integrity, education and training programs, authentication of individuals who access this information, systems controls, physical security and disaster recovery systems, protection of external communications and use of electronic signatures. The rules were effective April 23, 2003. Most covered entities have until April 25, 2005 to comply.

Sanctions for failing to comply with HIPAA standards include criminal penalties of up to $250,000 per violation and civil sanctions of up to $25,000 per violation. Due to the complex nature of the privacy regulations, they may be subject to court challenge, as well as further legislative and regulatory actions that could alter their effect. The Company believes that it is in compliance with the effective HIPAA regulations.

GLBA.     The Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 (the “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act”, or “GLBA”) contains privacy provisions and introduced new controls over the transfer and use of individuals’ nonpublic personal data by financial institutions, including insurance companies, insurance agents and brokers licensed by state insurance regulatory authorities. Numerous pieces of federal and state legislation aimed at protecting the privacy of nonpublic personal financial and health information are pending. The privacy provisions of GLBA that became effective in July 2001 require companies to provide written notice of its privacy practices to all of the Company’s insureds. In addition, the Company provides insureds with an opportunity to state their preferences regarding the Company’s use of their non-public personal information.

GLBA provides that there is no federal preemption of a state’s insurance related privacy laws if the state law is more stringent than the privacy rules imposed under GLBA. Pursuant to the authority granted under GLBA to state insurance regulatory authorities to regulate, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners promulgated a new model regulation called Privacy of Consumer Financial and Health Information Regulation, which was adopted by numerous state insurance authorities. The Company believes that it is in compliance with the privacy regulations that became effective in 2001.

PENDING HEALTH CARE REFORM

The health care industry, as one of the largest industries in the United States, continues to attract much legislative interest and public attention. In recent years, an increasing number of legislative proposals have been introduced or proposed in Congress and in some state legislatures that would effect major changes in the health care system, either nationally or at the state level. Proposals that have been considered include income tax credits for certain individuals, cost controls on hospitals, insurance market reforms to increase the availability of group health insurance to small businesses, patients’ bills of rights and requirements that all businesses offer health insurance coverage to their employees. There can be no assurance that future health care legislation or other changes in the administration or interpretation of governmental health care programs will not have a material adverse affect on the business, financial condition or results of the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries.

EMPLOYEES

At December 31, 2003, the Company employed 247 persons. The Company has not experienced any work stoppages, strikes or business interruptions as a result of labor disputes involving its employees, and the Company considers its relations with its employees to be good.

ITEM 2 — PROPERTIES

The Company’s principal offices are located at 801 Cherry Street, Unit 33, 3100 Burnett Plaza, Fort Worth, Texas. The lease for this facility expires February 28, 2011. Westbridge Printing Services, Inc., the Company’s wholly-owned printing subsidiary, maintains its facility at 7333 Jack Newell Boulevard North, Fort Worth, Texas, under a lease agreement which expires in October, 2005. Precision Dialing Services (“PDS”), the Company’s wholly-owned telemarketing subsidiary, maintains its facility at 9550 Forest Lane, Dallas, Texas under a lease agreement which expired in December 2003. In March 2004, PDS will relocate to a facility at 1100 East Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas, under a lease agreement which expires in March 2009. The Company believes that its leased facilities will meet its existing needs and that the leases can be renewed or replaced on reasonable terms if necessary.

ITEM 3 — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of its business operations, the Company is involved in various claims and other business related disputes. In the opinion of Management, the Company is not a party to any pending litigation which is reasonably likely to have an adverse result or disposition that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business consolidated financial position or its consolidated results of operations.

ITEM 4 — SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted by the Company to a vote of stockholders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.

PART II

ITEM 5 — MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Price Range of Publicly Traded Securities. The Company’s Common Stock and Warrants are quoted on the over-the-counter bulletin board (“OTC Bulletin Board”). There were 6,535,850 shares of Common Stock and 971,266 Warrants outstanding as of February 25, 2004. The high and low price listed for the Common Stock and Warrants reflects the OTC Bulletin Board closing bid prices of the Company’s securities. The closing bid price on December 31, 2003 was $0.15. There were approximately 310 shareholders of record on December 31, 2003, representing approximately 1,175 beneficial owners.

Dividend Policy

The Company does not anticipate declaring or paying cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. For information concerning statutory limitations on the payment of dividends to the Company by the Insurance Subsidiaries and further discussion of the Company’s results of operations and liquidity, see ITEM 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, ITEM 1 — “Business — State Regulation”, and NOTE 11 — “Statutory Capital And Surplus” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 8.

Reservation of Common Stock

There are 971,266 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of warrants. The warrants are exercisable at an initial exercise price of $9.04 share of common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and will expire on March 24, 2004.

Up to 1,219,585 shares of the fully diluted number of shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance to employees, directors and former directors, and up to 387,119 shares of the fully diluted number of shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance to the Company’s marketing agents under the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders. For information concerning the Company’s equity compensation plans, see Note 12 – “Employee Benefit Plans” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 8 and Item 12 – “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters”.

ITEM 6 — SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The information set forth below was derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with ITEM 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and related notes.

			Year Ended December 31,												Nine Months Ended December 31,
			2003			2002			2001			2000			1999(4)
			(in thousands, except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data:
Premiums			$	101,574		$	111,048		$	125,206		$	119,908		$	86,371
Total revenues				121,222			131,278			155,381			149,586			105,972
(Loss) income before income taxes				(1,348	)		(931	)		(2,119	)		(12,939	)		3,231
Net (loss) income(1)				(1,348	)		(931	)		(2,119	)		(18,942	)		2,106
Preferred stock dividends				1,759			3,263			2,932			2,576			1,874
(Loss) income applicable to common
shareholders				(3,107	)		(4,194	)		(5,051	)		(21,518	)		232
(Loss) Earnings Per Share(1):
Basic			$	(0.48	)	$	(0.64	)	$	(0.78	)	$	(3.31	)	$	0.04
Diluted			$	(0.48	)	$	(0.64	)	$	(0.78	)	$	(3.31	)	$	0.04
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic				6,531			6,505			6,500			6,500			6,500
Diluted				6,531			6,505			6,500			6,500			6,610
			2003			2002			2001			2000			1999
			(in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and invested assets			$	105,239		$	112,174		$	116,238		$	112,235		$	115,303
Total Assets				143,929			155,440			162,593			160,478			163,690
Policy liabilities				81,068			91,559			98,773			104,084			95,895
Notes payable(2)				15,770			18,189			18,603			8,947			7,162
Total liabilities				106,598			119,283			129,136			128,698			116,649
Redeemable convertible preferred stock(3)				-			33,896			30,635			27,705			23,257
Stockholders' equity(3)				37,331			2,261			2,822			4,075			23,784

	(1)	Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2000 includes a non-cash charge of $10.4 million related to an increase in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. See "Critical Accounting Policies - Deferred Tax Asset" at Item 7.
	(2)	In April 2001, the Company borrowed an additional $11 million. See "Liquidity, Capital Resources, and Statutory Capital and Surplus" at Item 7.
	(3)	On December 31, 2003, 36,567 shares plus accrued dividends equal to 937 shares of 10.25% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were exchanged for 37,504 shares of 5.5% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. Stockholders' equity at December 31, 2003 includes $37.5 million of 5.5% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
	(4)	Ascent's predecessor, Westbridge Capital, Corp., filed Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings on September 16, 1998. Ascent emerged from such proceedings on March 24, 1999. Statement of operations data for the three months ended March 1999 for Westbridge Capital Corp. is not comparable to data for subsequent periods of Ascent and is therefore omitted.

ITEM 7 — MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

Business Overview. Ascent Assurance, Inc. (“Ascent” or the “Company”) is the successor to a Delaware company incorporated in 1982 as an insurance holding company. Ascent, through its applicable subsidiaries, is principally engaged in the development, marketing, underwriting, and administration of medical expense and supplemental health insurance products. The Company’s revenues result primarily from premiums and fees from the insurance products sold by its wholly-owned subsidiaries National Foundation Life Insurance Company (“NFL”), Freedom Life Insurance Company of America (“FLICA”), National Financial Insurance Company (“NFIC”) and American Insurance Company of Texas (“AICT”), and together with NFL, NFIC and FLICA, collectively, the “Insurance Subsidiaries”, and marketed by NationalCare^® Marketing, Inc. (“NCM”), also a wholly-owned subsidiary. The Company, through applicable subsidiaries, also derives fee and service revenue from (i) tele-survey services, (ii) printing services, and (iii) renewal commissions for prior year sales of both affiliated and unaffiliated insurance products, and (iv) commissions on the sale of the benefits of unaffiliated membership benefit programs. See Item 1 – “Business” for a discussion of the Company’s marketing distribution system, health insurance products, and market competition.

The following discussion provides management’s assessment of operating results and material changes in financial position and liquidity for the Company. This discussion is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. Certain reclassifications of prior years’ amounts have been made to conform with the 2003 presentation.

Forward-Looking Statements. Statements contained in this analysis and elsewhere in this document that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements and are based on management’s projections, estimates and assumptions. In particular, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “continue”, or similar words. Management cautions readers regarding its forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Various statements contained in Item 1 – “Business” and Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operation and Financial Condition”, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and members of its senior management team. While Ascent’s management believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements.

Important factors known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements in this Report include, but are not limited to:

Subsequent written or oral statements attributable to Ascent or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this Report and those in the Company’s reports previously filed with the SEC. Copies of these filings may be obtained by contacting Ascent or the SEC.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company’s accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 8. The Company believes that the following discussion addresses the Company’s most significant accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments. The Company’s significant accounting policies relate to revenue recognition, investments, agent receivables, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred tax assets, claim reserves, future policy benefit reserves, reinsurance and statutory accounting practices. The application of these accounting policies requires management to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Such estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, changes in laws and regulations, observance of industry trends, and various information received from third parties. While the estimates and judgments associated with the application of these accounting policies may be affected by different assumptions or conditions, the Company believes the estimates and judgments associated with the reported consolidated financial statement amounts are appropriate in the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Revenue Recognition. Premium revenues from insurance contracts are recognized when due from policyholders. Policies for which premium has not been received within the applicable grace period from the due date are cancelled. Fee and service income is recognized when earned, the services have been provided and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Investments.     Investment income is an important source of revenue, and the Company’s return on invested assets has a material effect on net income. The Company’s investment policy is subject to the requirements of insurance regulatory authorities. In addition, certain assets are held on deposit in specified states and invested in specified securities in order to comply with state law. Although the Company closely monitors its investment portfolio, available yields on newly invested funds and gains or losses on existing investments depend primarily on general market conditions. The Company’s investment portfolio is managed by Seneca Capital Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor.

Investment policy is determined by the applicable Board of Directors of the Company and each of the Insurance Subsidiaries. The Company’s current investment policy is to balance its portfolio between long-term and short-term investments so as to achieve long-term returns consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of adequate liquidity to meet the payment of the Company’s policy benefits and claims. The current schedule of the Company’s invested asset maturities corresponds with the Company’s expectations regarding anticipated cash flow payments based on the Company’s policy benefit and claim cycle, which the Company believes is medium term in nature. The Company invests primarily in fixed-income securities of the U.S. Government and its related agencies, investment grade fixed-income corporate securities and mortgage-backed securities. Also, up to 5% of the Company’s fixed maturity securities may be invested in higher yielding, non-investment grade securities. The Company’s entire fixed maturity portfolio is classified as “available for sale” and carried at market value.

The following table provides information on the Company’s fixed maturity investments, in thousands, as of December 31:

Mortgage-backed securities comprised 24.3% of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio at December 31, 2003 as compared to 33.4% at December 31, 2002. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to risks associated with variable pre-payments. This may result in these securities having a different actual cash flow and maturity than expected at the time of purchase. Securities that have an amortized cost greater than par and are backed by mortgages that prepay faster than expected will incur a reduction in yield or a loss. Those securities with an amortized cost lower than par that prepay faster than expected will generate an increase in yield or a gain. In addition, the Company may incur reinvestment risks if market yields are lower than the book yields earned on the securities. Prepayments occurring slower than expected have the opposite impact. The Company may incur disinvestment risks if market yields are higher than the book yields earned on the securities and the Company is forced to sell the securities. The degree to which a security is susceptible to either gains or losses is influenced by 1) the difference between its amortized cost and par, 2) the relative sensitivity of the underlying mortgages backing the assets to prepayment in a changing interest rate environment and 3) the repayment priority of the securities in the overall securitization structure. There are negligible default risks in the mortgage-backed securities portfolio as a whole as the vast majority of the assets are either guaranteed by U.S. government-sponsored entities or are supported in the securitization structure by junior securities enabling the assets to achieve high investment grade status.

The following table summarizes consolidated investment results (excluding unrealized gains or losses) for the indicated year (in thousands, except percentages):

The average gross annual yield on fixed maturities declined in both 2003 and 2002 due to declining market reinvestment interest rates. The Company’s portfolio has an average effective duration of five years, which reflects the medium-term nature of its liabilities. As a result, a significant portion of the portfolio matures and is reinvested each year. Market interest rates dropped significantly from mid- 2002 to mid-2003. The average yield on a five-year U.S. Treasury note declined from 4.45% for the first half of 2002 to 3.18% for the second half of 2002 to 2.75% for the first half of 2003, and increased to 3.20% for the last half of 2003. At December 31, 2003, the market yield for five year U.S. Treasury Securities was 3.27%. The Company anticipates that the investment yield on its portfolio will continue to decline if market interest rates remain at 2003 levels.

The following table indicates by rating the composition of the Company’s fixed maturity securities portfolio, excluding short-term investments at December 31:

The NAIC assigns securities quality ratings and uniform prices called "NAIC Designations", which are used by insurers when preparing their annual statutory reports. The NAIC assigns designations to publicly-traded as well as privately-placed securities. The ratings assigned by the NAIC range from Class 1 (highest quality rating) to Class 6 (lowest quality rating). At December 31, 2003, 70.8%, 27.0% and 2.2% of the market value of the Company's fixed maturity securities were rated NAIC 1, NAIC 2, and NAIC 3 and below, respectively.

The Company monitors the financial condition and operations of the securities rated below investment grade and of certain investment grade securities on which there are concerns regarding credit quality. In evaluating fixed maturities to determine whether any of the unrealized losses are other than temporary, management's assessments as to the nature of declines in fair values are based upon historical operating trends, business prospects, status of the industry in which the Company operates, analyst ratings on the issuer and sector, the quality of the investments, the severity and duration of the unrealized losses and the Company's ability or intent to hold the investments. If fair value is less than the carrying value and the decline in value is determined to be other than temporary, an appropriate write-down is recorded.

The scheduled contractual maturities of the Company's fixed maturity securities, excluding short-term investments at December 31 are shown in the table below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

Agent Receivables. In the ordinary course of business, a subsidiary of Ascent advances commissions on policies written by its general agencies and their agents. Net agent receivables were $4.5 million and $6.3 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Such subsidiary is reimbursed for these advances from the commissions earned over the respective policy’s life. In the event that policies lapse prior to the time the subsidiary has been fully reimbursed, the general agency or the individual agents, as the case may be, are responsible for reimbursing the outstanding balance of the commission advance. A reserve for uncollectible agent’s balances is routinely established based upon historical experience and projected commission earnings. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the allowance for uncollectible commission advances was $3.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. Policy acquisition costs consisting of commissions and other policy issue costs, which vary with and are primarily related to the production of new business, are deferred and amortized over periods not to exceed the estimated premium-paying periods of the related policies. Projected future levels of premium revenue are estimated using assumptions as to interest, mortality, morbidity and withdrawals consistent with those used in calculating liabilities for future policy benefits. Deferred policy acquisition costs totaled $21.8 million and $22.5 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

A premium deficiency exists if the present value of future net cash flows plus future policy benefit and claims reserves at the calculation date is negative or less than net deferred policy acquisition costs. The calculation of future net cash flows includes assumptions as to future rate increases and persistency. The Company routinely evaluates the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs in accordance with GAAP. At December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, there were no premium deficiencies.

Deferred Tax Asset. The Company’s net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was $18.4 million and $16.0 million, respectively. As the Company reported substantial pre-tax losses for the year ended December 31, 2000, principally due to losses from major medical products issued prior to July 2000, applicable GAAP literature required that the Company’s net deferred tax asset be fully reserved as of December 31, 2000. Although the Company’s pre-tax losses declined significantly in 2001, 2002 and 2003, sustained profitability has not been achieved. Accordingly, the Company has reported no income tax benefit for 2003, 2002, and 2001 and the net deferred tax asset remains fully reserved. Applicable GAAP literature provides that the deferred tax asset valuation allowance may be eliminated once the Company achieves sustained profitability, as defined, and management concludes that it is more likely than not, that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will be realized.

At December 31, 2003, the Company had available tax net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) of $63.4 million that expire between 2012 and 2018. The establishment of a valuation allowance for GAAP does not impair the availability of NOLs for utilization in the Company’s federal income tax return.

Claim Reserves. Claim reserves are established by the Insurance Subsidiaries for benefit payments which have already been incurred by the policyholder but which have not been paid by the applicable Insurance Subsidiary. Claim reserves totaled $26.2 million at December 31, 2003 as compared to $30.9 million at December 31, 2002. The process of estimating claim reserves involves the active participation of experienced actuarial consultants with input from the underwriting, claims, and finance departments. The inherent uncertainty in estimating claim reserves is increased when significant changes occur. Changes impacting the Insurance Subsidiaries include: (1) changes in economic conditions; (2) changes in state or federal laws and regulations, particularly insurance reform measures; (3) writings of significant blocks of new business and (4) significant changes in claims payment patterns. Because claim reserves are estimates, management monitors reserve adequacy over time, evaluating new information as it becomes available and adjusting claim reserves as necessary. Such adjustments are reflected in current operations.

Management considers many factors when setting reserves including: (1) historical trends; (2) current legal interpretations of coverage and liability; (3) loss payments and pending levels of unpaid claims; and (4) product mix. Based on these considerations, management believes that adequate provision has been made for the Company’s claim reserves. Actual claims paid may deviate, perhaps substantially, from such reserves. For a reconciliation of claim reserves, see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 8.

Future Policy Benefit Reserves. Policy benefit reserves are established by each of the Insurance Subsidiaries for benefit payments that have not been incurred, but are estimated to be incurred, in the future. Policy benefit reserves totaled $54.9 million at December 31, 2003 as compared to $60.7 million at December 31, 2002. Policy benefit reserves are calculated according to the net level premium reserve method and are equal to the discounted present value of the applicable Insurance Subsidiary’s expected future policyholder benefits minus the discounted present value of its expected future net premiums.

These present value determinations are based upon assumed fixed investment yields, the age of the insured(s) at the time of policy issuance, expected morbidity and persistency rates, and expected future policyholder benefits. In determining the morbidity, persistency rate, claim cost and other assumptions used in determining the Insurance Subsidiaries’ policy benefit reserves, each Insurance Subsidiary relies primarily upon its own benefit payment history and upon information developed in conjunction with actuarial consultants and industry data. Persistency rates have a direct impact upon policy benefit reserves because the determinations for this reserve are, in part, a function of the number of policies in force and expected to remain in force to maturity. If persistency is higher or lower than expected, future policyholder benefits will also be higher or lower because of the different than expected number of policies in force, and the policy benefit reserves will be increased or decreased accordingly.

Policy benefit reserve requirements are also interrelated with product pricing and profitability. Each of the applicable Insurance Subsidiaries must price their respective products at a level sufficient to fund their policyholder benefits and still remain profitable. Because such claim and policyholder benefits represent the single largest category of its operating expenses, inaccuracies in the assumptions used to estimate the amount of such benefits can result in the Insurance Subsidiaries failing to price their respective products appropriately and to generate sufficient premiums to fund the payment thereof.

Because the discount factor used in calculating policy benefit reserves is based upon the rate of return of the investments designed to fund this reserve, the amount of the reserve is dependent upon the yield on these investments. Provided that there is no material adverse experience with respect to these benefits, changes in future market interest rates will not have an impact on the profitability of policies already sold. Because fluctuations in future market interest rates affect the yield on new investments, they also affect the discount factor used to establish, and thus the amount of, its policy benefit reserves for new sales. In addition, because an increase in the policy benefit reserves in any period is treated as an expense for income statement purposes, market interest rate fluctuations can directly affect the profitability for policies sold in such period. It is not possible to predict future market interest rate fluctuations.

In accordance with GAAP, the Insurance Subsidiaries’ actuarial assumptions are generally fixed, and absent materially adverse benefit experience, they are not generally adjusted. Each of the Insurance Subsidiaries monitors the adequacy of its policy benefit reserves on an ongoing basis by periodically analyzing the accuracy of its actuarial assumptions. The adequacy of policy benefit reserves may also be impacted by the development of new medicines and treatment procedures which may alter the incidence rates of illness and the treatment methods for illness and accident (such as out-patient versus in-patient care) or prolong life expectancy. Changes in coverage provided by major medical insurers or government plans may also affect the adequacy of reserves if, for example, such developments had the effect of increasing or decreasing the incidence rate and per claim costs of occurrences against which the applicable Insurance Subsidiary insures. An increase in either the incidence rate or the per claim costs of such occurrences could result in the need to post additional reserves, which could have a material adverse effect upon an Insurance Subsidiaries’ business, financial condition or results of operations (see “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Statutory Capital and Surplus”).

Reinsurance.     As is customary in the insurance industry, the Insurance Subsidiaries reinsure, or cede, portions of the coverage provided to policyholders to other insurance companies on both an excess of loss and a coinsurance basis. Cession of reinsurance is utilized by an insurer to limit its maximum loss; thereby, providing a greater diversification of risk and minimizing exposures on larger risks. Reinsurance does not discharge the primary liability of the original insurer with respect to such insurance, but the Company, in accordance with prevailing insurance industry practice, reports reserves and claims after adjustment for reserves and claims ceded to other companies through reinsurance.

The Insurance Subsidiaries reinsure risks under each of their respective major medical policies on an excess of loss basis so that its net payments on any one life insured under the policy are limited for any one calendar year to $125,000. Risks under its Medicare Supplement policies are not reinsured. Certain risks under the Insurance Subsidiaries’ Accidental Death policies are one hundred percent (100%) reinsured. Under its life insurance reinsurance agreement, FLICA and NFL retain fifty percent (50%) of the coverage amount of each of its life insurance policies in force up to a maximum of $65,000. NFL reinsures, through an excess of loss reinsurance treaty, a closed block of annually renewable term life insurance policies. NFL’s retention limit is $25,000 per year. In accordance with industry practice, the reinsurance arrangements in force with respect to these policies are terminable by either party with respect to claims incurred after the termination and expiration dates.

At December 31, 2003, approximately $1.4 million of the $3.1 million recoverable from reinsurers is related to paid losses. Of this balance, all was recoverable from reinsurers rated “A” or higher by the A.M. Best Company.

Statutory Accounting Practices. The Insurance Subsidiaries are required to report their results of operations and financial position to state regulatory agencies based upon statutory accounting practices (“SAP”). See Item 1 – “Business – State Regulation” for a description of the principle differences between GAAP and SAP accounting. The immediate charge off of sales and acquisition expenses and the sometimes conservative claim cost and other reserve valuation assumptions under SAP generally cause a lag between the sale of a policy and the emergence of reported earnings. Because this lag can reduce gain from operations on a SAP basis, it can have the effect of reducing the amount of funds available for dividend distributions from the Insurance Subsidiaries (see “Liquidity, Capital Resources and Statutory Capital and Surplus”).

RESTRUCTURING OF REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND NOTES PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTY

On December 31, 2003, the Company completed an exchange of the redeemable convertible preferred stock and restructuring of the notes payable of Ascent held by Special Situations Holdings, Inc. – Westbridge (“SSHW”) and Credit Suisse First Boston Management LLC (“CSFBM”), respectively, both affiliates of Credit Suisse First Boston LLC (“CSFB”) (together, SSHW and CSFBM, the “CSFB entities”) that resulted in, among other things, an extension of the maturity dates of such preferred stock and notes held by the CSFB entities from March 24, 2004 and April 17, 2004, respectively, to March 24, 2010. The restructuring was effected pursuant to an Exchange Agreement dated as of December 31, 2003 between the Company, SSHW, and CSFBM (the “Exchange Agreement”).

Prior to the restructuring, SSHW held 36,567 shares plus accrued dividends equal to 937 shares of 10.25% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred”) of the Company with a stated value of approximately $37.5 million. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, SSHW received 37,504 shares of 5.5% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred”) of the Company in exchange for the shares of Series A Preferred and accrued dividends held by SSHW. The conversion price of the Series B Preferred is $.85246 per share (or 1,173.1 shares of common stock per share of Series B Preferred) versus $4.88 per share for the Series A Preferred (or 204.9 shares of common stock per share of Series A Preferred). The shares of the Series A Preferred were cancelled.

Prior to the restructuring, CSFB, through SSHW, was the Company’s largest stockholder, owning approximately 49% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company and, on an as converted, fully-diluted basis assuming conversion of the outstanding Series A Preferred, approximately 75.4% of the common stock. As a result of the exchange for Series B Preferred, CSFB, through SSHW, now owns on an as converted, fully diluted basis, 93% of the common stock with the remaining 7% held by public stockholders. At a stockholders’ meeting to be held no later than June 30, 2004, the stockholders of the Company will be asked to adopt an amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation to authorize additional shares of common stock in an amount necessary to permit the conversion of Series B Preferred in full. Upon the effectiveness of such amendment and obtaining of all necessary insurance regulatory approvals, the Series B Preferred will convert into common stock and no preferred stock will remain outstanding. Under the Exchange Agreement, CSFB has agreed to be present in person or by proxy at the stockholders’ meeting and to vote all of its shares of common stock held by SSHW in favor of such amendment of the Company’s certificate of incorporation. The Company expects that conversion of the Series B Preferred will be effected as planned prior to June 30, 2004. The table below shows the pro forma impact on the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheet, assuming that the conversion was completed as of December 31, 2003:

Following the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock, SSHW will have sufficient voting power to be able to approve a short-form merger with the Company without a vote of the Board or the stockholders not affiliated with CSFB. However, CSFB has agreed in the Exchange Agreement that the Company will not consummate such a transaction at a cash price per share that does not reflect fair value under the applicable Delaware law as reasonably determined by the controlling stockholder; provided that, prior to January 1, 2005, such price cannot be less that $.40 per share. The stockholders not affiliated with CSFB would have appraisal rights under Delaware law in connection with any short-form merger.

The restructuring of the notes payable to CSFBM in the amount of $15.3 million as of December 31, 2003 (including accrued interest) was effected by an amendment to the Credit Agreement dated as of April 17, 2001 between the Company and CSFBM (the “CSFBM Credit Agreement”). In addition to the extension of the maturity date to March 24, 2010, the interest rate of the note payable was reduced from 12% to 6% per annum. A $1.5 million facility fee, of which $1.35 million was accrued as of December 30, 2003, payable upon maturity of the note payable was waived. On December 31, 2003, the balance of the accrued facility fee was credited directly to capital in excess of par value. In the event that the Company fails to receive the approval of its stockholders in favor of the amendment to the certificate of incorporation described above by June 30, 2004, other than if such failure is the direct or indirect result of any action taken or failed to be taken by the CSFB entities, such failure shall constitute an event of default under the notes payable which, among other things, will result in the holder of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock having the right to vote on all matters, other than the election of directors, thereafter brought to the stockholders of the Company. CSFBM has also agreed that the notes payable will be subordinate to up to $10 million in borrowings under the Company’s agent debit balance credit facility. The Company, certain of its subsidiaries, CSFBM and the lender under such credit facility have entered into an Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement dated as of December 31, 2003 to give effect to this subordination agreement.

OPERATING RESULTS

Results of operations for Ascent are reported below for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.

        *Ratios are calculated as a percent of premiums with the exception of the general and administrative expense ratio, which is
         calculated as a percent of total insurance operating revenue.

Overview. The Company reported pre-tax losses of ($1.3) million, ($0.9) million, and ($2.1) million for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The results of operations for 2003 are not comparable to 2002 and 2001 due to the third quarter 2003 implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity ("SFAS 150") as discussed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 8. Pursuant to SFAS 150, dividends of $1.9 million accrued subsequent to June 30, 2003 on the Company's Series A Preferred stock were classified as interest expense, a component of pre-tax income, instead of a direct deduction to common stockholders' equity. In accordance with SFAS 150, prior period financial statements were not restated. Excluding the impact of SFAS 150, the $1.4 million improvement in pre-tax income for 2003 as compared to 2002 was comprised of a $1.2 million increase in insurance operating results and a $0.5 million improvement in fee and service operations, net of a ($.03) million increase in interest expense on the note payable to related party. The $1.2 million improvement in pre-tax loss for 2002 as compared to 2001 was due to a $4.1 million increase in insurance operating results offset by a ($2.0) million decrease in fee and service results and a ($0.9) million increase in interest expense on the note payable to related party.

The primary factor behind the improvement in insurance operating results for both 2003 and 2002 as compared to the corresponding prior year period is the decline in the benefits and claims to premium ratio for both years. For the past several years the Company has focused on improving its product pricing for both new insurance product sales and in force insurance policies. The benefits of a lower claims and benefit ratio have been offset in both 2003 and 2002 by 1) reduced interest income from the Company's bond portfolio due to declining market re-investment rates, 2) reduced interest income on agent's balances receivable due to a decline in outstanding agents' balances as a result of lower new business production and 3) an increase in the general and administrative expense ratio due to reduced coverage of fixed general and administrative expenses as a result of lower premium revenues.

Fee and service operating results improved in 2003 as compared to 2002 as a result of expense reduction initiatives for the Company's tele-survey and printing subsidiaries. These operations were significantly impacted in 2002 by the economic downturn and experienced a reduction in the number of customers, reduced order volume from continuing customers and lower profit margins in comparison to 2001.

Interest expense on the note payable to CSFBM, a related party, issued in April 2001 for an original principal amount of $11 million was $2.5 million for 2003, $2.2 million for 2002 and $1.3 million for 2001. Such interest expense includes the accrual of a facility fee pursuant to the terms of the CSFBM Credit Agreement of $0.5 million in 2003 and 2002 and $0.3 million in 2001. As previously discussed (see "Restructuring of Redeemable Preferred Stock and Notes Payable to Related Party"), the CSFBM Credit Agreement was amended to waive the facility fee on December 31, 2003. Interest expense on the note payable to CSFBM has been paid "in kind" through the issuance of additional notes payable. As of December 31, 2003, the balance of the note payable to related party was $15.3 million. The December 31, 2003 amendment to the CSFBM Credit Agreement also reduced the interest rate on the note payable to related party from 12% to 6% and will result in a reduction of interest expense in 2004.

As previously discussed (see "Restructuring of Redeemable Preferred Stock and Notes Payable to Related Party"), the Company's Series A Preferred was exchanged for Series B Preferred on December 31, 2003. The Company expects that the Series B Preferred will be fully converted into common stock prior to June 30, 2004 and that no preferred stock will remain outstanding. Upon full conversion of the Series B Preferred, the preferred stock dividend will be eliminated.

The Company reported no income tax benefit for 2003, 2002 and 2001 due to the establishment of a valuation allowance beginning December 31, 2000 for all net deferred tax assets. (See "Critical Accounting Policies - Deferred Tax Asset".)

The following narratives discuss the principal components of insurance operating results.

Premiums. The Insurance Subsidiaries' premium revenue is derived principally from the following medical expense reimbursement products: comprehensive major medical, hospital/surgical medical expense, supplemental products including specified disease coverage and Medicare supplement. Comprehensive major medical products are generally designed to reimburse insureds for eligible expenses incurred for hospital confinement, surgical expenses, physician services, outpatient services, and the cost of laboratory and diagnostic services, as well as inpatient medicines. Hospital surgical medical expense products are similar to comprehensive major medical products with respect to benefits for inpatient services, except that deductibles and coinsurance provisions are generally higher. However, benefits for outpatient services are generally more limited under hospital/surgical medical expense coverage than comprehensive major medical coverage. Supplemental products include blanket group accident coverages, blanket group hospital daily indemnity coverages, as well as individual indemnity policies for hospital confinement and convalescent care for treatment of specified diseases and "event specific" individual policies, which provide fixed benefits or lump sum payments directly to the insured upon diagnosis of certain types of internal cancer or heart disease. Prior to 1998, the Insurance Subsidiaries also underwrote Medicare supplement products and continue to receive renewal premiums from such policies.

Premium revenue, in thousands, for each major product line is set forth below:

Total premiums decreased by 8.5% in 2003 and 11.3% in 2002 as compared to the corresponding prior year period. This decline in premium revenue is primarily attributable to lower new business sales resulting from 1) delays in new product deliveries to NCM and 2) a disciplined pricing philosophy focused upon profitability. The decline in both first year and renewal premiums for 2002 was also attributable to the accelerated lapsing of unprofitable major medical products marketed prior to July 2000.

In July 2003, NCM began selling a new line of medical insurance products, consisting of three products with varying degrees of benefits, designed to provide increased consumer choice and price flexibility for cost conscious consumers. As of December 31, 2003, the new products had been introduced in 19 of the 24 states in which NCM markets health insurance products.

Benefits and Claims. Benefits and claims are comprised of (1) claims paid, (2) changes in claim reserves for claims incurred (whether or not reported), and (3) changes in future policy benefit reserves (see Financial Condition – “Claims Reserves” and “Future Policy Benefit Reserves”). The 3.0 percentage point improvement in the ratio of consolidated benefits and claims to consolidated premiums in 2003 as compared to 2002 and the 4.1 percentage point improvement in 2002 as compared to 2001 is principally attributable to the Company’s adherence to a disciplined pricing philosophy for both new major medical product sales and in force insurance policies and the accelerated lapsing of unprofitable major medical products marketed prior to July 2000.

For the past several years, the costs of medical services covered by the Company’s major medical insurance policies has increased dramatically, with medical inflation averaging 15% to 20% annually in comparison to an average increase in the consumer price index of 3%. To maintain the 2003 ratio of claims and benefits to premium into future periods, the Company must accurately estimate future medical inflation and implement timely premium rate increases for both new major medical product sales and the majority of its in force insurance policies, including supplemental specified disease and Medicare supplement policies.

Commissions.     The commissions to premiums ratio decreased by 0.8 and 1.7 percentage points in 2003 and 2002, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year as a result of the decrease in first year major medical premiums. Commission rates on first year premiums are significantly higher than those for renewal premiums.

LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES, AND STATUTORY CAPITAL AND SURPLUS

General.     The primary sources of cash for the Company’s consolidated operations are premiums and fees from insurance policies, sales and maturity of invested assets and investment income while the primary uses of cash are payments of insurance policy benefits, claims and commissions, and general operating expenses. Net cash used in operations totaled $1.1 million, $5.0 million and $6.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decrease in cash used by operations from year to year is principally due to a decline in the cash basis ratio of benefits and claims to premiums.

Ascent is a holding company, the principal assets of which consist of the capital stock of its subsidiaries and invested assets. Ascent’s principal sources of funds are comprised of dividends from its non-insurance subsidiaries. The Insurance Subsidiaries are precluded from paying dividends without prior approval of the Texas Insurance Commissioner, as the Insurance Subsidiaries’ earned surplus is negative due to statutory losses incurred in recent years (see “Business – State Regulation” at Item 1). Ascent’s principal uses of cash are for making discretionary additional investments in its Insurance Subsidiaries in the form of capital contributions to maintain certain minimum statutory capital and surplus levels in the Insurance Subsidiaries and general and administrative expenses. Ascent funded capital contributions to the Insurance Subsidiaries totaling approximately $812,000, $2.3 million and $19.3 million during 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. The Insurance Subsidiaries reported statutory net income (losses) for 2003, 2002, and 2001 of $1.1 million, ($2.7) million, and ($12.7) million, respectively. As of December 31, 2003, Ascent had approximately $2.4 million in unrestricted cash and invested assets as compared to $375,000 at December 31, 2002.

The statutory losses incurred during 2002 and 2001 resulted from (1) significant losses on major medical products marketed prior to July 2000 due to higher than expected claim frequency and (2) costs associated with increased new business production which must be expensed under statutory accounting (for GAAP, such costs are deferred and amortized as related premiums are recorded). Major medical claims experience adverse to management’s current estimates or adverse claims experience for other insurance products may cause Ascent to make capital contributions to the Insurance Subsidiaries in excess of those currently projected for 2004. As a result, adverse claims experience could have a material adverse effect on Ascent’s liquidity and capital resources and results of operations.

Related Party Financing. Ascent received debt financing to fund an $11 million capital contribution to FLICA in April 2001 from CSFBM, which is an affiliate of SSHW (Ascent’s largest common stockholder), and a subsidiary of CSFB. The credit agreement relating to that loan (“CSFBM Credit Agreement”) provided Ascent with total loan commitments of $11 million, all of which were drawn in April 2001. Under restructured terms (see “Restructuring of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Notes Payable to Related Party”), the loan bears interest at a rate of 6% per annum and matures in March 2010. Absent any acceleration following an event of default, the Company may elect to pay interest in kind by issuance of additional notes. During 2003 and 2002, Ascent issued $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in additional notes for payment of interest in kind which increased the note payable balance at December 31, 2003 to approximately $15.3 million.

The CSFBM Credit Agreement is secured, pursuant to a guarantee and security agreement and pledge agreements, by substantially all of the assets of Ascent and its subsidiaries (excluding the capital stock and the assets of AICT, FLICA, NFL, NFIC, NCM, Ascent Funding, Inc. and Ascent Management, Inc., some or all of which is pledged as collateral for bank financing described below). Ascent’s subsidiaries (other than those listed above) have also guaranteed Ascent’s obligations under the CSFBM Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2003, there were no events of default.

Related Party Preferred Stock. Ascent’s redeemable convertible preferred stock is 100% owned by SSHW, which is the Company’s largest common stockholder and is also an affiliate of CSFBM and a subsidiary of CSFB. On December 31, 2003, the Company completed an exchange of Series A Preferred for Series B Preferred (see “Restructuring of Convertible Preferred Stock and Notes Payable to Related Party”). Dividends may be paid in cash or by issuance of additional shares of preferred stock, at the Company’s option. During 2003, Ascent paid dividends on the Series A Preferred through the issuance of 3,608, 3,261 and 2,930 additional shares of preferred stock in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Series B Preferred is mandatorily redeemable in cash in March 2010 and has a dividend rate of 5.5%.

Bank Financing. The majority of commission advances to NCM’s agents are financed through Ascent Funding, Inc. (“AFI”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Ascent. On December 31, 2003, AFI entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Frost National Bank (“Frost”) that provides AFI with a $3.0 million revolving loan facility, the proceeds of which are used to purchase agent advance receivables from NCM and other affiliates. As of December 31, 2003, $500,000 was outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement matures on January 15, 2005, at which time the outstanding principal and interest will be due and payable. The Company maintains an agent receivable financing arrangement to facilitate growth in new business sales.

AFI’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by liens upon substantially all of AFI’s assets. AFI’s principal assets at December 31, 2003 are net agent receivables of $4.6 million. In addition, NCM and Ascent have guaranteed AFI’s obligation under the Credit Agreement, and have pledged all of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of AFI, NFL, and FLICA as collateral for those guaranties (the “Guaranty Agreements”). As of December 31, 2003, there were no events of default under the Credit or Guaranty Agreements.

AFI formerly financed agent receivables through a Credit Agreement (the “LaSalle Credit Agreement”) with LaSalle Bank NA (“LaSalle”). On January 31, 2003, pursuant to terms of the LaSalle Credit Agreement, AFI liquidated a $2.6 million cash collateral account pledged to LaSalle. Pursuant to an agreement with LaSalle, AFI paid a dividend of $1.6 million to Ascent. The proceeds were used to fully pay off Ascent Management Inc.‘s (“AMI”) term loan facility with LaSalle on January 31, 2003. On November 28, 2003, the amount outstanding of $1.4 million under the LaSalle Credit Agreement was paid off, the revolving loan facility and all guaranties provided by AAI were terminated, and all collateral held by LaSalle was returned to the Company.

Inflation.     Inflation impacts claim costs and overall operating costs and, although inflation has been lower in the last few years, hospital and medical costs have still increased at a higher rate than general inflation, especially prescription drug costs. New, more expensive and wider use of pharmaceuticals is inflating health care costs. The Company will continue to establish premium rates in accordance with trends in hospital and medical costs along with concentrated efforts in various cost containment programs. However, there can be no assurance that these efforts will fully offset the impact of inflation or that increases in premium rates will equal or exceed increasing healthcare costs.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table provides information on the Company’s known contractual obligations, in thousands, as of December 31, 2003:

         (1)   Excludes interest at a rate equal to 6% that may be paid in cash or in kind by issuance of additional notes.
         (2)   Excludes interest at a rate equal to the Prime Rate, plus one-half percent per annum.

ITEM 7A — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s primary objectives in managing its cash flow and investments are to maximize investment income and yield while preserving capital and minimizing credit risks. To attain these objectives, investment policies and strategies are developed using expected underwriting results, forecasted federal tax positions, regulatory requirements, forecasted economic conditions including expected fluctuations in interest rates and general market risks.

Market risk represents the potential for loss due to adverse changes in the fair market value of financial instruments. The market risks associated with the financial instruments of the Company primarily relate to the Company’s investment portfolio that consists largely (94%) of fixed income securities. The Company’s investment portfolio is exposed to market risk through fluctuations in interest rates, changes in credit quality and principal prepayments.

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates. The Company evaluates the potential changes in interest rates and market prices within the context of asset and liability management. Asset and liability management involves forecasting the payout pattern of the Company’s liabilities, consisting primarily of accident and health claim reserves, to determine duration and then matching the duration of the liabilities to fixed income investments with a similar duration. Through active portfolio asset and liability management, the Company believes that interest rate risk is mitigated.

Credit Risk. The Company invests primarily in fixed-income securities of the U.S. Government and its related agencies, investment grade fixed-income corporate securities and mortgage-backed securities. (See Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 4 – “Investments” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.) Approximately 2.2% of the Company’s fixed-income portfolio market value is comprised of less than investment grade securities. The Company’s investment policy allows up to 5% of the Company’s fixed maturity securities to be invested in higher yielding, non-investment grade securities. Due to the overall high quality of the Company’s investment portfolio (over 97% investment grade), management believes the Company has marginal risk with regard to credit quality.

Prepayment Risk. Mortgage-backed securities investors are compensated primarily for prepayment risk rather than credit quality risk. During periods of significant interest rate volatility, the underlying mortgages may repay more quickly or more slowly than anticipated. If the repayment of principal occurs earlier than anticipated during periods of declining interest rates, investment income may decline due to the reinvestment of these funds at the lower current market rates. To manage prepayment risk, the Company limits the type of mortgage-backed structures invested in and restricts the portfolio’s total exposure in mortgage-backed securities. If the repayment occurs later than expected during periods of increasing interest rates, the cost of funds to pay liabilities may increase due to the mismatching of assets and liabilities.

Sensitivity Analysis. The Company regularly conducts various analyses to gauge the financial impact of changes in interest rate on its financial condition. The ranges selected in these analyses reflect management’s assessment as being reasonably possible over the succeeding twelve-month period. The magnitude of changes modeled in the accompanying analyses should, in no manner, be construed as a prediction of future economic events, but rather, be treated as a simple illustration of the potential impact of such events on the Company’s financial results.

The sensitivity analysis of interest rate risk assumes an instantaneous shift in a parallel fashion across the yield curve, with scenarios of interest rates increasing and decreasing 50 and 100 basis points from their levels at December 31, 2003, and with all other variables held constant. A 50 and 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would result in a pre-tax decrease in the market value of the Company’s fixed income investments of $2.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively. Similarly, a 50 and 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would result in a pre-tax increase in the market value of the Company’s fixed income investments of $2.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules Covered by the Following Reports of Independent Auditors.

Report of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors
Ascent Assurance, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ascent Assurance, Inc., as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and for the years then ended listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2). These financial statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Ascent Assurance, Inc., at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, effective July 1, 2003, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Accounting Standards No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity.”

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP                

Dallas, Texas
February 24, 2004

Report of Independent Accountants

To the Board of Directors
and Stockholders of
Ascent Assurance, Inc.

In our opinion, the 2001 consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Ascent Assurance, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2001 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules as of December 31, 2001 and for the year ended December 31, 2001 listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used, and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP                 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Dallas, Texas

March 8, 2002

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

        See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share data)

        See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS