MedForum12 Brings Top Minds in Healthcare Together to Explore Value-Based Solutions for the U.S. Healthcare System

WAYNE, PA--(Marketwire - May 15, 2012) - More than 150 healthcare leaders from across the country, including chief medical officers and clinical leaders, senior IT leaders and care management executives from progressive U.S. health plans and provider organizations, gathered last week in Philadelphia at Medecision's 2012 Client Forum, "Strike the Balance." In the quest to find new ways to meet the demands of tomorrow's healthcare marketplace, the participants discussed key challenges and opportunities to drive efficiencies in new healthcare management systems, and reviewed Medecision's current platform and potential for future innovation. Forum participants also honored colleagues for innovative approaches to cost-efficient, collaborative care.

"We were thrilled by the pervasive spirit of optimism as we discussed innovative ways to liberate our healthcare system from the confines of old, tired models and toward a dynamic, value-based collaborative system," said Deborah Gage, CEO of Medecision Inc., the leading provider in collaborative health management solutions. "For an intense three days, we came together as never before to consider healthcare in an entirely new light -- value-based care where each of us, working together with our business partners and leveraging barrier-breaking IT solutions and strategic healthcare insight, collaborate in new ways to make a profound difference in our nation's health and wellness."

During the event, Medecision introduced its new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Katherine Schneider, who will use her extensive background in accountable health patient engagement and to lead the company's efforts in care management solutions. Dr. Schneider encapsulated the prevailing thoughts and tone of the forum, and the drive to improve the quality of care while reducing costs. "When it comes to ACOs (accountable care organizations), it is not about the 'A' or the 'O' -- it is all about the 'C,'" Schneider commented.

A highlight of the forum was the presentation of Medecision's 2012 Innovation Award to the Central Alabama Health Image Exchange (CAHIE) for its state-of-the-art federated, XDS-based exchange for DICOM medical images and clinical information across seven hospitals in Alabama. Using Medecision's technology platform, the hospitals are avoiding unnecessary duplicate imaging costs and speeding the delivery of critical information to physicians in image intensive cases such as trauma, cancer, neurosciences, and pediatrics.

Other events included addresses by:

• Dr. Stuart Altman, professor of National Health Policy at Brandeis University, who discussed how U.S. government and private sector efforts are progressing to slow the rise of healthcare costs
• Roy Spence, co-founder and CEO, The Purpose Institute, who shared insights from his book, It's Not What You Sell, It's What You Stand For: Why Every Extraordinary Business is Driven by Purpose
• Dr. Jeremy Nobel, adjunct lecturer, Harvard School of Public Health, and medical director, Northeast Business Group on Health, who discussed how former organizational and IT silos are coming together to provide a solid delivery platform for better, more cost-effective care
• Dr. Ahmed Ghouri, co-founder and CEO, Anvita Health, who explored the importance of the next generation of analytics to supporting value-based health models
• Craig Scheifelbein, president and CEO, Paragon Development Systems, Inc. who shared approaches from his book, Get Out of IT While You Can, focusing on new ideas to spark dramatic healthcare IT innovation

Attendees received an intimate view of Medecision's current solutions at the Solutions Showcase, where they discovered how to optimize the platform to better measure program effectiveness, support clinical best practices, lead care quality and make more informed decisions. Forum participants also toured the company's 'Innovation Lab' where they were the first to see and provide feedback on working prototypes and proofs of concept integrating the industry's leading technology approaches -- such as mobile and interactive voice response -- into the care management process.

"We were delighted by the extremely positive response to all the programs we hosted at the forum," continued Gage. "And just as inspiring was the spirited dialogue among attendees that began early in the morning and continued long into the evening. It affirmed for us that the liberating shift to value-based healthcare is happening now at the grassroots level, where new models, new habits and new ways of sharing information are making better, less costly healthcare a reality."

About Medecision
Medecision is the leading provider of healthcare management solutions serving national, regional and local health plans, insurers and provider-based care organizations, more than 74,000 physicians and millions of consumers nationwide. Working within the framework that patients, care providers and health plans are all driving towards better health outcomes, Medecision and its Aerial™ solutions help connect all stakeholders to liberate the highest quality and most cost-efficient care.

As more organizations transition to value-based care, Medecision continually applies its 23 years of experience, its comprehensive technology platforms, significant investments in research and development, and the strongest clinical expertise to ensure consumers receive the best possible care. With Medecision as a business partner, health plans and care providers confidently manage through market changes, regulatory updates and new populations, while improving quality and reducing costs.

For more information, visit www.Medecision.com.

Medecision is a trademark of Medecision Inc. The Medecision logo and product names are also trademarks or registered trademarks of Medecision Inc. Other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.