WebMD, Inc. and AHT Corporation Announce Exclusive Alliance to Provide Online Laboratory Transactions
ATLANTA & TARRYTOWN, N.Y.--(BW HealthWire)--March 16, 1999-- WebMD, Inc., a leading Internet healthcare site, and AHT Corporation (NASDAQ:AHTC), a leader in Internet-based clinical e- commerce solutions, announced today an alliance to provide laboratory test results over WebMD's subscriber-based physician Web site. WebMD intends to offer the online laboratory test result services using advanced encryption technology designed to provide a secure medium for confidential communications between physicians and their patients, other doctors, insurance companies, hospitals and health systems.
Through the alliance, which is exclusive to both WebMD and AHT, WebMD will offer and market AHT's laboratory test result services to WebMD healthcare subscribers. In turn, AHT will market WebMD subscriptions to AHT's laboratory and hospital customers. WebMD intends to integrate AHT's laboratory transaction software, Dr. Chart Web(TM), into the suite of physician services offered through its healthcare site (www.webmd.com).
Through AHT's services, WebMD's physician subscribers will have the opportunity to connect electronically to leading national, regional and hospital-based clinical laboratories and be able to order and receive laboratory tests and results online. AHT's customers, in turn, will be able to access WebMD's physician subscriber base. The alliance is subject to technical and marketing plans to be developed, and financial terms of the alliance were not disclosed.
Jeff Arnold, Chairman and CEO of WebMD, said, "We view our alliance with AHT as an important step forward for us, as it marks our entry into the clinical transaction services market. Laboratory tests and results are a critical component of the healthcare services our physician subscribers provide to their patients. We selected AHT because of its proven technology and its customer base, into which we plan to cross-sell our services, allowing us to connect our physician subscribers to laboratories across the nation."
Jon Edelson, MD, Chairman and CEO of AHT, stated, "This alliance with WebMD will create a significant distribution channel for our laboratory transaction services. We expect that access to WebMD's physician subscribers and institutional sponsors, including integrated delivery systems, represents a significant opportunity for AHT. We believe WebMD will provide a secure transport vehicle through which we can connect our clinical laboratory customers to physician offices."
About WebMD
Launched October 5, 1998, WebMD, Inc. (www.WebMD.com) offers a comprehensive suite of Internet-based services for physicians, including a premier medical information library; a virtual office with real-time insurance verification and referral authorizations, unified messaging and telephone- based patient test results; customized Web sites for physician practices; competitively priced supplies and hundreds of continuing medical education courses. WebMD's consumer Web site offers a broad range of premium branded content and services designed to allow Internet users to take charge of their health and to access healthcare professionals, resources and support communities.
WebMD has 32 strategic alliances for content, services and distribution with companies, including Lycos, Inc. (Nasdaq:LCOS), McKessonHBOC (NYSE:MCK), ENVOY Corporation (Nasdaq;ENVY), Medirisk, Inc. (Nasdaq:MDMD), MedQuist, Inc./Transcription Services Ltd. (Nasdaq:MEDQ), DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company (NYSE:JNJ) and Thomson Healthcare Information Company, Inc. WebMD's corporate headquarters are located in Atlanta.
WebMD physician subscriptions are available by calling 877/GO-WEBMD or accessing the web site at www.webmd.com Consumers can access comprehensive healthcare information and services through a separate web site at the same address.
About AHT
AHT Corporation (Nasdaq:AHTC) participates in the growing healthcare e-commerce market. The company provides information technology enabling the electronic management of laboratory and prescription transactions. AHT focuses on automating laboratory and prescription transactions that directly impact the cost and quality of care. AHT's customer base of over 50 healthcare organizations across the United States comprises some of the nation's leading hospital systems, national and regional laboratories, and the nation's largest prescription benefit manager.
For information on AHT's Dr. Chart Web(TM) product, please call 877-DRCHART. AHT's web site address is www.ahtech.com. (Effective February 1, 1999, Advanced Health Corporation changed the name under which it is conducting business to AHT Corporation and changed its Nasdaq stock symbol to AHTC from ADVH.)
This press release contains forward-looking information regarding AHT Corporation. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward- looking statements, including statements as to industry trends, future economic performance, anticipated profitability, anticipated revenues and expenses, and products or service line growth may be significantly impacted by certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, failure to meet operating objectives or to execute the operating plan, failure to successfully restructure the AHT's business units, competition and other economic factors. No assurances can be given as to the outcome of any pending lawsuits against AHT. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in AHT's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT:
Robinson, Lerer & Montgomery (for WebMD)
Lisa Wolford, 212/484-7058
Lwolford@rlmnet.com
or
AHT Corporation
Arthur Dague, 914/524-4783
Adague@ahtech.com |
