Health Net Inc. said Monday that it has won a five-year contract worth about $50 million per year to provide counseling to members of the U.S. military and their families.

The Woodland Hills-based healthcare provider said the contract is with the U.S. Defense Department and is a successor to an experimental counseling program that Health Net has managed for more than two years.

The program is called the Military Family Counseling Services and is designed to help families cope with the stresses of life in the military, the company said. Health Net is hiring counselors and expects to start service under the new agreement within three months, according to the statement.

Shares in Health Net closed up 47 cents to $52.55 Monday but lost 5 cents in after-hour trading.