CareCentric Simplifies Electronic CMN Process with CMN Communication Manager Powered by ProviderLink™.

CareCentric enables HME customers to electronically manage their CMN process with or without physician Internet access.

ATLANTA, GA (October 18, 2005) - CareCentric,a leading provider of technology, business operation and outsourcing solutions for home care providers, announced today their new CMN Communication Manager enabling HME providers to easily collect physician signatures either online or by fax. The Communication Manager also allows the provider to manage other information requests including forms and images through an internet browser. The Communication Manager is powered by ProviderLink, an online community of innovative healthcare professionals, who use Internet access to manage communications through a single interface and workflow.

“One of the toughest obstacles facing electronic CMN vendors today is their ability to get participating physicians to actually participate,” stated Mike McGuire, Sr. Vice President of CareCentric. “As a result, in order to take advantage of these services, HME providers must spend valuable time trying to convince physicians and their staff of the benefits of eCMN management. Our solution takes that burden away from our customers, yet still gives them the ability to electronically manage their CMN process. Physicians can continue to submit the CMN in any form they prefer – paper, fax, email – and it will be received online for electronic processing. When and if the physician sees value in joining the network, it’s a simple transition.”

Mr. McGuire added, “Our objective is to enable our customers to control their processes from a person to person perspective – in this case, it is physician to provider. A critical part of this and any workflow process, involves understanding the requirements of the parties on both ends. The solution must be appropriate for everyone involved.”

“We applaud CareCentric’s initiative in providing their customers with access to communication technology that addresses physicians preferences for signature collection”, stated Mark McCurry, Vice President of Business Development for ProviderLink. “We are pleased to be selected as the technology provider for CareCentric's CMN Communication Manager and are confident that this partnership will result in broad physician adoption.”

Through the use of the CareCentric’s CMN Communication Manager, HME Providers will have the ability to obtain physician signatures quickly and easily. Physicians can receive CMN notification electronically or by fax. HME Providers will be able to send out notification without re-keying or redundant data entry through a direct link to CareCentric’s billing and operations management solutions. In addition, the Communications Manager offers the ability to receive and manage additional online forms electronically for better management capability and easier workflow.

ProviderLink is an I.T. communications company providing an innovative technology and methodology to successfully create online healthcare communities and information exchange initiatives. Using ProviderLink's Internet-based tools, clients are empowered to manage all of their communication transports such as fax, EDI, forms, web portals and paper communications through a single interface, workflow and patient-centric audit trail. Customers include major hospitals, post-acute care facilities, medical equipment companies, physician practices, behavioral healthcare providers, private payors, Medicaid programs and RHIO initiatives. ProviderLink combines practical, non-invasive and cost-effective Internet-based technology and consulting services to help clients implement best practices around their communication workflows. Most important, ProviderLink empowers its customers with both the vision and tools they need to drive provider adoption of online communications while creating a smooth migration path to automating information exchanges with all of their communication partners. Contact ProviderLink at www.providerlink.com or 919.465.1855.

CareCentric provides information technology, business operation and outsourcing solutions and services to over 1,900 customers. CareCentric’s customers include freestanding, hospital-based and multi-office home health care providers, including skilled nursing, private duty, home medical equipment and supplies, home care pharmacy and hospice. Complete information solutions enable these home care lines of business to utilize and generate comprehensive, integrated financial, operational and clinical data. CareCentric is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with offices nationwide.