Caresoft, Inc. Announces thedailyapple.com -- the Internet's Most Comprehensive Family Health Center; Site Offers Secure Access to Health Records, Clinical Data and Health Management Services.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 2, 1999--

Caresoft, Inc., a leading provider of online health services for consumers and the healthcare industry, announced today the launch of its one-stop health services web site, thedailyapple.com(TM).

The new site, which has already received several awards as one the top health care sites during its pre-launch testing phase, features comprehensive health management services for chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

"Thedailyapple.com is unique because it offers individuals and families the opportunity to become active members of a health service, rather than just passive visitors to a web site," said Alain Enthoven, PhD, Professor of Public and Private Management in the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and a Director at Caresoft. "Members of the thedailyapple.com can securely access their health records, benefits and clinical data in addition to receiving credible health information, news and wellness plans pertinent to their health." In the near future members will be able to access important clinical data, such as lab results on thedailyapple.com. The lab information service will be an industry first.

"While other health sites offer just 'plain vanilla' content, thedailyapple.com provides ongoing services to enrolled members and family caregivers," said J.J. Singh, President and CEO of Caresoft. Thedailyapple.com provides comprehensive features such as appointment reminders, prescription refill reminders, detailed "to-do" lists, tools for tracking and maintaining health records, a direct connection to health care providers, health management services for chronic illnesses as well as community forums, focused content and product offerings pertinent to the member's condition. "By providing these features in a highly interactive format with real data, thedailyapple.com becomes a true partner in a person's health," said Singh.

Each person registering on the site receives his or her own ID and password. In turn, each member can tailor his/her own account to his/her personal preferences and needs. Members receive customized health news and information as well as access to expertly designed programs and services suited to their specific health care goals.

In addition to comprehensive health services, thedailyapple.com today offers e-commerce capabilities for the purchase of health-related books. In the near future, members will be able to refill and purchase prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and many other medical devices and products. Thedailyapple.com already offers connectivity between members and doctors with its direct-to-physician fax ability and will soon add connectivity to health plans to provide members with benefits and member information. Caresoft plans to offer new programs and enhanced features every two weeks, including a complete Senior Center and access to clinical data and information.

Health Management Services

The "health centers" on thedailyapple.com offer the most interactive and comprehensive health management services available on the web today. These programs help users suffering from chronic conditions, such as diabetes, asthma or obesity, assess their health, set goals and manage their condition.

For example, a typical user enrolling in the site's Diabetes Center for the first time would complete the interactive health assessment. This assessment records many elements of the user's overall health including physical, social and emotional well-being, understanding of a condition, and self-care and preventative practices.

The member is then presented with a personal program complete with recommendations and services that enable the member to better manage the condition. The program and services are based upon nationally recognized guidelines and compliment the care provided by physicians. Over time, users are able to track progress, set new goals and ultimately reach better health.

A recent report from CyberDialogue noted that of the 83 million Internet users in June 1999, 20 percent suffer from one of the top 10 chronic illnesses. The report also cited an estimated 11 million senior citizens now on the Internet, of which many are using Internet technology to research and manage health conditions. With another 78 million baby boomers expected to join the ranks of America's elderly in the next 15 years, demand for thedailyapple.com is expected to grow rapidly.

Responding to the Needs of Today's Caregiver 

A recent survey conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) found that 22.4 million U.S. households are currently providing informal care to a relative or friend age 50 or older. Among the 22.4 million households in the study, 64 percent of the caregivers work either full or part time, and 41 percent of caregivers bear the responsibility for both children and elders.

Thedailyapple.com offers a unique service to this growing population of caregivers, as well as individuals seeking to better manage their own health. Working parents can easily track immunization records for children, organize family medical appointments, coordinate treatment schedules, and track and manage prescription refills. Thedailyapple.com is also the only health services site to currently offer a direct fax-to-physician capability, allowing for direct communication and preparation before medical appointments.

According to research conducted by Caresoft, even when the first steps are made to take control of healthcare needs, many individuals fail to follow through with the required health regimens. For example, 25 percent of those given prescriptions don't end up filling them. Fifty percent don't take the prescription to completion, while another 50 percent are not administering the prescription properly. Thedailyapple.com's direct link to local pharmacies, tailored compliance support programs and refill reminders are just a few of the features that help caregivers take better care of their loved ones.

Unparalleled Security

Caresoft developed thedailyapple.com to exceed the confidentiality and privacy requirements as set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). No other health care site today employs higher standards for security and privacy than thedailyapple.com. "Users of the site can rest assured knowing that their personal and confidential information will remain that way thanks to Caresoft's uncompromising privacy practices and state-of-the-art security technology," said Singh. "Nothing is more important or private than a person's health. We insist on having regular audits performed by an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm to ensure that our practices are the best in the industry and comply with HIPAA requirements."

"All in One" Apple

Whether a busy "soccer mom," a caregiver for an elderly family member, an individual with a chronic condition or health need, or an individual seeking to better manage his/her health as he/she grows older, all users can benefit from thedailyapple.com's easy and secure solution for complete health management. "Consumer feedback about the site, its health condition programs, and its services and tools have been overwhelmingly positive," said Singh. "Unlike other content-only health sites, thedailyapple.com actually makes it easier for caregivers to manage their family's health."

About Caresoft, Inc.

Caresoft, Inc. is a leading provider of online health care services for consumers and the health care industry. Caresoft's premier web portal, thedailyapple.com (http://thedailyapple.com) provides consumers with personalized online services, community forums, interactive programs and useful tools to take charge of their health.

For providers, employers and health plans, thedailyapple.com provides a robust, co-branded utility to enhance member satisfaction, loyalty and wellness while decreasing health management costs. Pharmaceutical and other health-related product companies realize substantial benefits by utilizing the site's unique ability to provide awareness, targeted marketing, and relationship marketing programs. Caresoft is a privately held, venture capital-backed company and is located in Sunnyvale. The company can be contacted through its web site at http://www.thedailyapple.com.