EBMC Extends Contract for HTP Transaction Manager(TM); Credits Software with Efficiency Increases, Strong ROI.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- HTP, Inc., a leading developer of clinical and administrative software for the healthcare industry, has signed a three-year extension of its contract with Employee Benefit Management Corp (EBMC), a progressive third-party administrator of self-funded benefit programs to expand deployment of the HTP Transaction Manager(TM) software.

"Over the past 4 years, HTP has helped us to grow our business and increase the value we bring to our clients by unlocking the financial benefits of an EDI workflow while also meeting HIPAA requirements," said Renee Haas, vice president of EBMC. "Working with HTP has allowed us to become more automated and efficient and as a result we have been able to reallocate staff to other duties including some new revenue generating positions."

HTP CEO Ray M. Shealy noted that HTP Transaction Manager delivers markedly increased rates of claim auto adjudication. "We help payers earn a significant return on their investment in becoming HIPAA-compliant by automating workflow," he said. "One measure of our success is the number of customers such as EBMC who are extending their contracts and purchasing additional software modules."

A complete front-end EDI workflow solution, HTP Transaction Manager(TM) enables administrators to electronically manage the entire adjudication process by automatically editing claims, notifying providers about claims failing pre-adjudication edits, enabling providers to correct or resubmit claims online, route claims to and from applicable PPOs for re-pricing, and determining if claims are out of network. The software efficiently manages all inbound and outbound data sources and every mandated HIPAA transaction in both batch and real-time modes.

"We view HTP as a partner, not as a vendor," Haas said. "While competitors were pushing products, HTP offered solutions. They understood the potential of utilizing EDI transactions to transform our workflow processes and, as a result, our business."

"HTP shared our vision that if you're going to spend money to become HIPAA compliant, then it better pay for itself in improved business processes," Haas added. "As an added benefit, the flat-rate pricing model has allowed us to significantly grow our business without increasing our per transaction fees."

About HTP, Inc.

HTP develops software for the healthcare industry that improves efficiency, profitability and service quality for hospitals, insurance companies, physician groups, managed care organizations, third-party administrators and public sector health plans. The company's software also enables secure information exchange through Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs).

Based in Columbus, Ohio, HTP supports 170 customers, including 90 hospitals and 60 health plans, by translating and moving more than 15 million transactions per month. HTP technology powers the Utah Health Information Network (UHIN), the nation's first RHIO. A 2004 and 2005 Inc. 500 company, HTP and its executives have been recognized for leadership by the Ohio Third Frontier Project, The Deloitte Technology Fast 500, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program and the Columbus Technology Council. Notable HTP customers include Ohio Medicaid and Utah Health Information Network.

For more information on HTP or to learn how its software is transforming healthcare information exchange for providers, payers and RHIOs, call 614.396.4549 or go to www.htp-inc.com.

About EBMC

Employee Benefit Management Corp (EBMC) specializes in the design, administration and management of self-funded employee benefit plans. Based in Dublin, Ohio, EBMC is a full-service Third Party Administrator with over 45 years of experience in benefit plan administration. Embracing technology has allowed EBMC to grow with the times and deliver the products and services today's marketplace demands.

EBMC employs over 125 dedicated professionals with expertise in virtually every component of the benefits arena. These components include medical and dental claims administration, COBRA administration, Flexible Spending Accounts, utilization review and case management, disease management and government compliance. Flexibility, knowledge, experience and a practical, common-sense approach to benefit administration are EBMC hallmarks. EBMC is an independent, employee-owned company.

For additional information regarding EBMC's scope of services, please contact Greg Hubbell, Vice President, by phone at [phone], ext. 570 or by e-mail at [e-mail].