INCREASE IN DATA SHARING AND CONNECTIVITY IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY

St. Paul, Minnesota – May 8, 2012 — Data sharing and connectivity are increasing throughout the healthcare industry and many healthcare entities see this as a major objective moving forward. An increase in data sharing has resulted in a reduction in costs, simplified access to data and applications for physicians, expanded data sharing to patients directly, and a reduction in errors.

The largest issue currently hindering large-scale data sharing is the establishment and scalability of trust among healthcare entities exchanging data. One way that trust can be established, as currently demonstrated by a Minnesota-based company, Smart Data Solutions, and their affiliated clearinghouse Smart Data Stream, is by providing complete transaction transparency and accountability.

Smart Data Solutions can further provide an example of a single source for standardized, easy-to-implement connectivity and data sharing that leverages existing low cost and high quality technical capabilities and connectivity. Smart Data Solutions’ focus is to provide direct connections to dramatically increase efficiency and automation, increase client control over the process, and eliminate multiple clearinghouse fees.

Any data sharing and connectivity partnership should be carefully considered. The following are questions to be asked when entering into any data sharing and connectivity partnership:

1. Do you feel that you have an effective and productive relationship with your clearinghouse and/or clearinghouse partners?
2. Do you feel that you are getting a relatively fair price for transactions or do you think that you can get your clearinghouse services cheaper?
3. Is your clearinghouse taking any initiative to develop connections with all paper submitters?
4. Are there tracking, reporting and management tools for operational decision-making and involvement?
5. Is there visibility and transparency in your transaction process lifecycle?
6. What about expanded transaction sets (remittance advice, enrollment, eligibility, and other data)?

Smart Data Stream focuses on providing a value oriented, alternative solution to the inherently ineffective traditional clearinghouse model. Smart Data Stream provides automated, real-time transaction capabilities supported by our vast and continually growing network. With the support of Smart Data Solutions, Smart Data Stream is able to provide automated integration of mailroom, data capture, data editing, and real-time reporting.

Smart Data Solutions provides a comprehensive claims management system that automatically integrates mailroom, data capture, data editing, EDI clearinghouse solutions and a variety of custom solutions critically needed by today’s healthcare industry. In addition, Smart Data clients can quickly and easily view documents, reports and automated alerts throughout the claims process. Today, more than 140 TPAs, PPOs, HMOs, hospitals and insurance companies depend on SDS technology to save money and streamline their business. From paper processing to claims management and EDI, Smart Data Solutions offers the solutions critically needed by today’s health care industry. For more information about Smart Data Solutions please visit our web site at http://sdata.us, contact Pat Bollom at 651.690.3140 or email pbollom@sdata.us.