Merge Leads $1B Stimulus Funding Opportunity for Radiologists

Merge Leads $1B Stimulus Funding Opportunity for Radiologists

Regional Medical Imaging (RMI) selects Merge to meet Meaningful Use requirements

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merge Healthcare Incorporated (NASDAQ: MRGE), a global corporation dedicated to health IT interoperability solutions, today announced that Regional Medical Imaging (RMI), a full-service imaging organization based in Flint, Michigan, has selected Merge for its imaging interoperability and Meaningful Use needs.

“Helping visionary organizations like RMI achieve their goals is Merge’s priority,” said Jeff Surges, Merge’s CEO. “As the leading provider of imaging and financial solutions to the radiology market we are committed to driving the effort towards Meaningful Use for all of our clients.”

RMI will leverage Merge RIS™ v7.0 to meet Meaningful Use requirements. Ninety percent of all radiologists are considered eligible professionals to qualify for Meaningful Use incentives, which means more than $1 billion could be available for the diagnostic imaging community1. Merge Healthcare is leading the way in helping radiologists discover their Meaningful Use potential by pursuing certification for Merge RIS v7.0 to support the Stage 1 requirements.

“We selected Merge because we have developed a true partnership,” said Dr. Randy Hicks, one of the founding partners of RMI. “Merge enables us to leverage our existing investment while providing complete solutions to qualify for Meaningful Use and deliver enterprise interoperability. These initiatives add measurable value to our business.” Based on 13 eligible providers and other incentives, RMI expects to see more than $600,000 in return from its Meaningful Use initiative alone.

RMI will also use Merge iConnect™ Access, Merge iConnect™ Share and Merge iConnect™ Kiosk to create image interoperability. The iConnect solution suite will enable RMI to share diagnostic quality images across their enterprise, eliminate CDs, enable mobile devices, attract and keep their referral base, and create operational efficiency.

1Diagnostic Imaging, October 13, 2010

Merge Healthcare Incorporated develops and integrates information technology to create a better electronic healthcare experience. Merge products, ranging from standards-based development toolkits to sophisticated clinical applications, have been used by healthcare providers, vendors and researchers worldwide for over 20 years. Additional information can be found at www.merge.com.

Regional Medical Imaging, P.C. was established more than 25 years ago and has been providing superior patient care to Genesee County and surrounding areas. RMI's five locations are uniquely positioned to provide Mid-Michigan with the highest level of expertise in radiology available. Additional information can be found at www.rmipc.net.

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