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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

FOR QUARTERLY AND TRANSITION REPORTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Mark One)
(X)   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2004
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)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code
(817) 878-3300

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock (par value $.01)

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, whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

YES                 NO    X  

Common Stock — Par value $0.01; 50,531,876 shares outstanding at August 2, 2004.

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

See the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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

See the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)

See the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

See the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ASCENT ASSURANCE, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2004
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Ascent Assurance, Inc. (“Ascent”) is the successor to a Delaware company 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 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) telemarketing services, (ii) printing services, (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.

NOTE 2 – ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X, and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s significant accounting estimates relate to investments, agent receivables, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred tax assets, claim reserves, future policy benefit reserves, reinsurance and statutory accounting practices. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain reclassifications of prior years’ amounts have been made to conform to the 2004 financial statement presentation. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Ascent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments with maturities at the time of acquisition of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market.

Short-Term Investments. Short-term investments are stated at cost, which approximates market.

Investments.     The Company’s fixed maturity portfolio is classified as available-for-sale and is carried at estimated market value. Equity securities consisting of common stocks, which are included in other investments, are also carried at estimated market value. Changes in aggregate unrealized appreciation or depreciation on fixed maturity and equity securities are reported directly in stockholders’ equity and, accordingly, will have no effect on current operations.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”). 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. Also included in Other Assets is the value of business acquired. The amortization of these costs is based on actuarially estimated future premium revenues, and the amortization rate is adjusted periodically to reflect actual experience. 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.

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 approximately $3.9 million and $4.5 million at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, 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 agencies or the individual agents, as the case may be, are responsible for reimbursing the subsidiary for the outstanding balance of the commission advances. A reserve for uncollectible agents’ balances is routinely established based upon historical experience and projected commission earnings. As of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the Company’s allowances for uncollectible commission advances were $3.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment is stated on the basis of cost and consists primarily of furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements and software. Depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes using estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years.

Future Policy Benefits. Liabilities for future policy benefits not yet incurred are computed primarily using the net level premium method including actuarial assumptions as to investment yield, mortality, morbidity, withdrawals, persistency and other assumptions, which were appropriate at the time the policies were issued. Assumptions used are based on the Insurance Subsidiaries experience as adjusted to provide for possible adverse deviation. Generally, these actuarial assumptions are fixed and, absent material adverse benefit experience, are not adjusted.

Claim Reserves. Claim reserves represent the estimated liabilities on claims reported plus claims incurred but not yet reported. 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.

Notes Payable. Notes payable are stated at cost, which approximates market.

Federal Income Taxes. The Company records income taxes based on the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequence of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. The tax effect of future taxable temporary differences (liabilities) and future deductible temporary differences (assets) are separately calculated and recorded when such differences arise. A valuation allowance, reducing any recognized deferred tax asset, must be recorded if it is determined that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company reported no income tax expense for the second quarters of 2004 and 2003 and for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. Income tax expense for such periods was offset by reductions in the 100% valuation allowance maintained for all net deferred tax assets due to decreases in the net deferred tax asset balance for such periods. Net deferred tax assets of $18.7 million and $18.4 million at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively, were fully reserved.

Recognition of Revenue. Premium revenues from insurance contracts are recognized when due from policyholders. Fee and service income is recognized when earned, the services have been provided and collection is reasonably assured.

Earnings Per Share. Under GAAP, there are two measures of earnings per share: “basic earnings per share” and “diluted earnings per share”. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were converted or exercised. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, 43,995,026 of common shares attributable to the conversion of Ascent’s Series B convertible participating preferred stock (see the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 4 – Conversion of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock) were included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share as of March 15, 2004. To include the common shares attributable to the conversion of Ascent’s preferred stock in the computation of diluted earnings per share from the beginning of 2004 would have been anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, only 231,950 of 870,300 outstanding stock options were dilutive and included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. For the six months ended June 30, 2003, stock options of 974,150 and the conversion of the preferred stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.

The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted EPS:

			Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2004			2003			2004			2003
			(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income			$	1,049		$	362		$	1,120		$	551
Preferred stock dividends				-			(891	)		(430	)		(1,759	)
Income (loss) applicable to common stockholders			$	1,049		$	(529	)	$	690		$	(1,208	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic				50,532			6,532			32,643			6,530
Diluted				50,758			6,532			32,867			6,530
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share			$	.02		$	(.08	)	$	.02		$	(.18	)

NOTE 3 – RELATED PARTY FINANCING

Ascent received debt financing to fund an $11 million capital contribution to FLICA in April 2001 from Credit Suisse First Boston Management LLC, (“CSFBM”), which is an affiliate of Special Situations Holdings, Inc. – Westbridge (“SSHW”) (Ascent’s largest common stockholder), and a subsidiary of Credit Suisse First Boston LLC (“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 effective December 31, 2003, the loan bears interest at a rate of 6% per annum and matures in March 2010. Absent any acceleration following an event of default, Ascent may elect to pay interest in kind by the issuance of additional notes. During the six months ended June 30, 2004, Ascent issued $469,000 in additional notes for payment of interest in kind which increased the notes payable balance to CSFBM at June 30, 2004 to approximately $15.7 million. Ascent’s obligations to CSFBM are secured, pursuant to a guaranty 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 in Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations). Ascent’s subsidiaries (other than those listed above) have also guaranteed Ascent’s obligations under the CSFBM Credit Agreement. At June 30, 2004, there were no events of default.

NOTE 4 – CONVERSION OF REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

On March 15, 2004, Ascent’s common shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock to 75 million shares from 30 million shares. The approval of this amendment resulted in the automatic conversion of all 37,504 outstanding shares of the Company’s Series B convertible participating preferred stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) into 43,995,026 shares of common stock. As a result, preferred stock dividends of $430,000 accrued through March 15, 2004, were credited to capital in excess of par value, and had no impact on total stockholders’ equity. All outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock were held by SSHW, the Company’s largest shareholder. The conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock increased the ownership percentage of SSHW in the Company’s common stock to approximately 93% from 49%.

NOTE 5 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Ascent applies the intrinsic value method, in accordance with APB 25, in accounting for its stock options issued to employees of one of its subsidiaries and non-employee directors. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for options granted with an exercise price equal to market value at the date of grant. Ascent applies the fair value method in accounting for stock options issued to consultants (including marketing agents).

Compensation cost recognized in the income statement for stock-based employee and consultants (including marketing agents) compensation awards was approximately $200 and $1,200 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $1,200 and $2,700 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and June 30, 2003, respectively.

The following table illustrates the effect on income (loss) to common stockholders and earnings (loss) per share if Ascent had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation.

For purposes of pro forma disclosure, the estimated fair value of the stock compensation is amortized to expense over the stock’s vesting period. The effect on income (loss) to common stockholders of the stock compensation amortization for the year presented above is not likely to be representative of the effects on reported income for future years.

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of its business operations, the Company is involved in various claims, other business related suits (alleging actual as well as substantial exemplary damages) and regulatory matters. In the opinion of management, the Company is not a party to any pending litigation which is reasonable likely to have an adverse result or disposition that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.

The Company’s Insurance Subsidiaries are subject to extensive governmental regulation and supervision at both federal and state levels. Such regulation includes premium rate levels, premium rate increases, policy forms, minimum loss ratios, dividend payments, claims settlement, licensing of insurers and their agents, capital adequacy, transfer of control, and amount and type of investments. Additionally, there are numerous health care reform proposals and regulatory initiatives under consideration which if enacted could have significant impact on the Company’s results of operations.

ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

Ascent Assurance, Inc. (“Ascent”) is the successor to a Delaware company 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 following discussion provides management’s assessment of financial condition at June 30, 2004 as compared to December 31, 2003 and results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the comparable 2003 period for the Company. This discussion updates the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2003 Report on Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction therewith.

Business Overview. 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) telemarketing services, (ii) printing services, (iii) renewal commissions for prior year sales of both affiliated and unaffiliated insurance products, and (iv) commissions on the sale of benefits of unaffiliated membership benefit programs.

The Company’s operations are comprised of one segment, Accident and Health insurance. The principal products currently marketed by NCM and underwritten by NFL and FLICA are medical expense reimbursement policies. These products are designed with flexibility as to benefits, deductibles, coinsurance and premium payments, which can be adapted to meet regional sales or competitive needs, as well as those of the individual policyholders. The principal product groups currently underwritten by NFL and FLICA are comprehensive major medical products, hospital/surgical medical expense products and supplemental specified disease products:

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

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 the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the intent, belief or current expectations of Ascent 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 Ascent’s reports previously filed with the SEC. Copies of these filings may be obtained by contacting Ascent or the SEC.

OPERATING RESULTS

Consolidated results of operations for Ascent are reported for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. (In thousands except insurance operating ratios.)

Overview.     For the second quarter of 2004, net income was $1 million compared to $362,000 for the corresponding period in 2003. The $687,000 increase in net income was principally due to a $940,000 increase in insurance operating results, which was offset by decreases in fee and service results and net realized capital gains of $82,000 and $171,000, respectively. Insurance operating results increased for the second quarter of 2004 to $1 million compared to $66,000 for the second quarter of 2003 principally due to a 2.9 percentage point decrease in the benefits and claims ratio which improved results by approximately $668,000 and a decrease in interest expense of $354,000 on the note payable to related party. Interest expense on the note payable to related party decreased due to the restructuring of the note payable on December 31, 2003 that reduced the interest rate from 12% to 6% per annum. Interest expense on the note payable has been paid “in kind” through the issuance of additional notes payable. The improvements in insurance operating results were partially offset by lower investment income principally due to a decline in interest income on agents’ balances.

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, net income was $1.1 million compared to $551,000 for the corresponding period in 2003. The $569,000 increase in net income was principally due to a $888,000 increase in insurance operating results which was offset by a $37,000 decrease in fee and service results and a $282,000 decrease in realized capital gains. Insurance operating results increased for the six months ended June 30, 2004 to $1.1 million compared to $551,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003 principally due to a 1.4 percentage point decrease in the benefits and claims ratio which improved results by approximately $656,000 and a decrease in interest expense of $693,000 on the note payable to related party. Interest expense on the note payable to related party decreased due to the restructuring of the note payable on December 31, 2003 that reduced the interest rate from 12% to 6% per annum. The improvements in insurance operating results were partially offset by lower investment income principally due to a decline in interest income on agents’ balances.

The Company reported no income tax expense for the second quarters of 2004 and 2003 and for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 due to reductions of the 100% valuation allowance maintained for all net deferred tax assets (See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 1.)

On March 15, 2004, Ascent’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock to 75 million shares from 30 million shares. The approval of this amendment resulted in the automatic conversion of all 37,504 outstanding shares of the Company’s convertible participating Series B preferred stock into 43,995,026 shares of common stock and eliminated the requirement to pay preferred stock dividends. As a result, preferred stock dividends of $430,000 accrued through March 15, 2004 were credited to capital in excess of par value and had no impact on total stockholders’ equity.

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:

			Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
				2004			2003			2004			2003
Major medical:
First-year			$	3,859		$	4,779		$	7,724		$	10,036
Renewal				10,734			11,502			21,823			23,030
Subtotal				14,593			16,281			29,547			33,066
Supplemental specified disease:
First-year				67			29			139			61
Renewal				4,935			5,255			10,017			10,597
Subtotal				5,002			5,284			10,156			10,658
Medicare supplement:
Renewal				3,064			3,449			6,292			7,112
Subtotal				3,064			3,449			6,292			7,112
Other				379			426			836			913
Consolidated Premium Revenue			$	23,038		$	25,440		$	46,831		$	51,749

Total premiums decreased $2.4 million, or 9.4%, for the second quarter of 2004 as compared to the second quarter of 2003. Total premiums decreased $4.9 million, or 9.5%, for the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the 2003 corresponding period. Major medical premiums declined due to lower new business sales resulting from delays in new product deliveries to NCM in 2003 and a disciplined pricing philosophy focused upon profitability. In addition, supplemental specified disease and Medicare supplement premiums declined due to normal lapsing of policies. 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 June 30, 2004, the new products had been introduced in 22 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 decrease in the benefits and claims ratio from 67.7% for the second quarter of 2003 to 64.8% for the second quarter of 2004 and from 68% for year to date June 30, 2003 to 66.6% for year to date June 30, 2004 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.

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 a consistent 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 1.0 percentage points in second quarter 2004 and year to date June 30, 2004 as compared to the corresponding prior year periods 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.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Investments.     The following table summarizes the Company’s fixed maturity securities, excluding short-term investments and certificates of deposit. All of the Company’s fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at market value. Investments in the debt securities of corporations are principally in publicly traded bonds.

The following table indicates by rating the composition of the Company’s fixed maturity securities portfolio, excluding short-term investments and certificates of deposit.

The Company monitors the financial condition and operations of 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 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 and certificates of deposit, at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 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.

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 $26.1 million at June 30, 2004 as compared to $26.2 million at December 31, 2003. 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 claim reserves of the Insurance Subsidiaries. Actual claims paid may deviate, perhaps substantially, from such reserves.

Future Policy Benefit Reserves. Future policy benefit reserves are established by each applicable Insurance Subsidiary for benefit payments that have not been incurred but which are estimated to be incurred in the future. Future policy benefit reserves totaled $54.3 million at June 30, 2004 as compared to $54.9 million at December 31, 2003. Future 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. Except for purposes of reporting to insurance regulatory authorities and for tax filing, policy benefit reserves are determined in accordance with GAAP.

In determining the morbidity, persistency rate, claim cost and other assumptions used in determining future policy benefit reserves, the Insurance Subsidiaries each rely primarily upon their own respective benefit payment history and upon information developed in conjunction with actuarial consultants and industry data. Persistency rates have a direct impact upon their policy benefit reserves because the determinations for these reserves 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.

In accordance with GAAP, actuarial assumptions of each of the Insurance Subsidiaries are generally fixed, and absent materially adverse benefit experience, are not generally adjusted. The Insurance Subsidiaries each monitor the adequacy of their policy benefit reserves on an ongoing basis by periodically analyzing the accuracy of their 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 for the Insurance Subsidiaries to post additional reserves, which could have a material adverse effect upon Ascent’s liquidity, capital resources and results of operations.

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 provided by (used for) operations totaled $0.9 million and $2.2 million for the three and six months ended 2004, and totaled $(0.2) and $0.9 million for the three and six months ended 2003.

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 prior to 2003. Ascent’s principal uses of cash are for general and administrative expenses and to make discretionary additional investments in its Insurance Subsidiaries in the form of capital contributions to maintain desired statutory capital and surplus levels. Ascent funded capital contributions to the Insurance Subsidiaries totaling approximately $0.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2003 and made no contributions during the six months ended June 30, 2004. As of June 30, 2004, Ascent had approximately $2.4 million in unrestricted cash and invested assets.

Related Party Financing. Ascent received debt financing to fund an $11 million capital contribution to FLICA in April 2001 from Credit Suisse First Boston Management LLC, (“CSFBM”), which is an affiliate of Special Situations Holdings, Inc. – Westbridge (“SSHW”) (Ascent’s largest common stockholder), and a subsidiary of Credit Suisse First Boston LLC (“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 effective December 31, 2003, the loan bears interest at a rate of 6% per annum and matures in March 2010. Absent any acceleration following an event of default, Ascent may elect to pay interest in kind by issuance of additional notes. During the six months ended June 30, 2004, Ascent issued $469,000 in additional notes for payment of interest in kind which increased the notes payable balance to CSFBM at June 30, 2004 to approximately $15.7 million. Ascent’s obligations to CSFBM are secured, pursuant to a guaranty 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 June 30, 2004, there were no events of default.

Conversion of Related Party Preferred Stock. On March 15, 2004, Ascent’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock to 75 million shares from 30 million shares. The approval of this amendment resulted in the automatic conversion of all 37,504 outstanding shares of the Company’s Series B convertible participating preferred stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) into 43,995,026 shares of common stock. All outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock were held by SSHW, the Company’s largest shareholder. The conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock increased the ownership percentage of SSHW in the Company’s common stock to approximately 93% from 49%.

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 June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, $250,000 and $500,000, respectively, 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 June 30, 2004 are net agent receivables of $3.9 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 June 30, 2004, there were no events of default under the Credit or Guaranty Agreements.

Inflation.     Inflation impacts claim costs and overall operating costs and, although inflation has been lower 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 Insurance Subsidiaries 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 health care costs.

ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Ascent has no material changes to the disclosure concerning market risk made in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of Ascent’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2004, the end of the period covered by this report. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as the Company’s controls and procedures are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, Ascent’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of June 30, 2004, the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Ascent in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or, are reasonably likely to materially affect, these controls during the period covered by this quarterly report.

ITEM 6 — EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Exhibits:

The following exhibits are filed herewith. Exhibits incorporated by reference are indicated in the parentheses following the description.