Quest Diagnostics Launches eMaxx(R) Web Portal, Giving Physicians Access to Lab Tests and Other Clinical Information On-Line

TETERBORO, N.J., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated , the nation's leading provider of diagnostic laboratory testing, information and services, announced today that it has launched its innovative eMaxx Internet portal to physicians nationwide. The eMaxx web portal, developed by Quest Diagnostics' MedPlus(TM) subsidiary, enables doctors to order diagnostic tests and review laboratory test results online; check patients' insurance eligibility; view clinical information from many sources; and share confidential patient information with medical colleagues in a manner that is consistent with the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) privacy and security requirements. HIPAA, which takes effect in April, is a new federal law enacted to protect the privacy of personal health information.

"eMaxx changes the game in the diagnostic laboratory testing business by offering physicians a powerful way to access test results and other clinical information from many disparate sources without requiring them to significantly change their workflow," said Surya N. Mohapatra, Ph.D., President and Chief Operating Officer of Quest Diagnostics. "The end-product of diagnostic laboratory testing is information, which gives doctors insights to make decisions for their patients. Through eMaxx, we now have the unique ability to deliver those insights in a patient-centric way that lets physicians combine laboratory test results with other clinical information."

eMaxx is the gateway that physicians can now use to access Quest Diagnostics' nationwide Test Orders and Results On-Line service. As physician offices have expanded their usage of the Internet, demand for Quest Diagnostics' Internet services has grown.

Prior to the national launch, Quest Diagnostics piloted eMaxx with several hundred physicians across the country. Participating practices served as trial sites for eMaxx utilizing regional Quest Diagnostics facilities to place lab orders, view lab results and utilize various portal services.

In addition to providing easy access to laboratory tests, eMaxx offers point-and-click access to a broad range of clinical information about the patient that is easily uploaded and accessible from one electronic chart. eMaxx provides clinical interfaces that allow physicians to view transcription reports, including peer physician consults, patient exams and hospital discharges as well as radiology reports and patients' medication history. Through the embedded clinical messaging and grant-access features, eMaxx enables physician offices to quickly and securely share appropriate chart information with their peers.

In addition to clinical interfaces, the eMaxx portal also provides access to a broad range of administrative functionality. Currently available administrative applications include:

* Insurance eligibility verification, enabling physicians to verify patients' insurance eligibility online. * Patient address verification at the time of service, reducing "bad data" errors that can result in lost revenue or delayed payment to the physician. In addition, this tool can assist in the re-submission of denied claims that could not be collected due to erroneous demographic information. * A directory of standard diagnosis and service codes (ICD and CPT) that are required by Medicare and Medicaid for physician payment.

The eMaxx portal is also enhanced through partner relationships including Physicians On-line (POL), which offers access to clinical research, by practice. Through POL, physicians can research clinical information and participate in physician clinical forums with their peers.

The eMaxx portal is built around MedPlus' award-winning ChartMaxx(R) electronic patient record solution that has garnered more than 50,000 clinical and administrative users since its introduction in 1996. MedPlus was recently ranked the number one document management and imaging vendor in the prestigious KLAS Enterprises study for its ChartMaxx product.

MedPlus will provide demonstrations of the eMaxx physician portal as well as its ChartMaxx electronic patient record solution and the recently released OptiMaxx EIS(TM) document management solution at the HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) Conference at booth #5025 during established exhibit hours in the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California, February 10th-13th, 2003.

About MedPlus

MedPlus is a leading developer and integrator of clinical connectivity and data management solutions for healthcare organizations and clinicians. These solutions efficiently and securely collect, store, manage and retrieve clinical information within an organization, enterprise or community via virtual private networks and/or the Internet. MedPlus solutions, including ChartMaxx (electronic patient record solution), eMaxx (physician-focused clinical integration portal solution), LabPortal(TM) (lab test ordering and results retrieval solution) and OptiMaxx(R) (records storage and retrieval solution) have been implemented in more than 125 hospitals throughout North America. MedPlus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. For more information, visit the Company's Web site at http://www.medplus.com/.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, providing insights that enable physicians, hospitals, managed care organizations and other healthcare professionals to make decisions to improve health. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic laboratory services through its national network of laboratories and patient service centers. Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of esoteric testing, including gene-based medical testing, and empowers healthcare organizations and clinicians with state-of-the-art connectivity solutions that improve practice management. Additional company information can be found on the Internet at: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/.

The statements in this press release which are not historical facts or information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to, unanticipated expenditures, changing relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners, conditions of the economy and other factors described in the Quest Diagnostics Incorporated 2001 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

CONTACT: Jennifer Somers, +1-201-393-5454, for Quest Diagnostics
Incorporated

Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/http://www.medplus.com/