Healthways and MedAssets to Build the First Nationwide Network of Lifestyle Medicine Centers to Reverse the Rising Incidence of Chronic Disease

NASHVILLE, Tenn. & ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Global well-being improvement leader Healthways, Inc. HWAY, has partnered with MedAssets MDAS, the leading healthcare performance improvement company, to expand patient access to the ground-breaking Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease™ (Ornish Reversal Program). Under the five-year agreement, Healthways has contracted with MedAssets as its sales partner to accelerate deployment of the Ornish Reversal Program to hospitals, health systems and physician organizations. The Ornish Reversal Program is the most scientifically proven platform in lifestyle medicine for treating and reversing heart disease and other chronic conditions.

"We are strategically aligned with Healthways around a shared vision to bring innovative solutions to the marketplace that address today's complex healthcare challenges," said R. Halsey Wise, chairman and chief executive officer of MedAssets. "With its focus on addressing the underlying causes of disease and reducing utilization of high-cost treatments such as drugs and surgery, the Ornish Reversal Program will be an important component in MedAssets' strategy to support customers in optimizing financial and clinical performance improvement as they transition to a fee-for-value environment."

The Ornish Reversal Program complements a hospital's existing cardiac service lines, increasing options for patients and physicians. In addition to treating and reversing heart disease, the program has proven to be effective in the management of type 2 diabetes, early-stage prostate cancer and other chronic diseases that drive disproportionate medical costs and lost productivity.

Costs for the Ornish Reversal Program are currently reimbursed by Medicare nationwide and by commercial payers in 17 states. Commercial payers include Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia, Hawaii Medical Services Association (HMSA), the West Virginia Public Employee Insurance Agency (WVPEIA), and Anthem under its subsidiaries Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. In addition, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia, WVPEIA and HMSA have expanded their coverage to include diabetes and other risk factors for heart disease for qualified individuals.

"Changing personal behaviors to create sustainable healthy lifestyle habits offers the greatest opportunity to improve health, reduce premature death and lower health-related costs," said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Healthways. "The Ornish Reversal Program is a game-changer that gives patients a proven, sustainable approach that can reverse the effects of heart disease and dramatically improve their quality of life. With one of the most knowledgeable sales forces in the healthcare industry and a shared commitment to bring solutions to market to improve both the quality and efficiency of care, MedAssets is the right partner to help Healthways accelerate the deployment of the Ornish Reversal Program across the country."

About MedAssets

MedAssets MDAS is a healthcare performance improvement company focused on helping providers realize financial and operational gains so that they can sustainably serve the needs of their community. Approximately 4,500 hospitals and 123,000 non-acute healthcare providers currently use the company's evidence-based solutions, best practice processes and analytics to help reduce the total cost of care, enhance operational efficiency, align clinical delivery, and improve revenue performance across the care continuum. For more information, please visit www.medassets.com.

About Healthways

Healthways is the largest independent global provider of well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for its customers, which include employers, integrated health systems, hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities and government entities. Healthways provides highly specific and personalized support for each individual and their team of experts to optimize each participant's health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs. Results are achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30 years and now serves approximately 68 million people on four continents. Learn more at www.healthways.com.

MDAS/B

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