Capital expenditures in 2002 were nearly $45 million, reflecting the company’s continued investment in future growth. Exchange of medical data in “real time” will be introduced to CareFirst’s top 10 care providers in 2003, enabling the company to receive electronic claims from doctors and hospitals and to complete transactions through electronic funds transfers. The company continues to integrate core system technology by eliminating three system platforms in a major step toward creating a single, efficient system designed for maximum customer satisfaction. The estimated savings from a fully integrated computer system is $7.7 million annually.