FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VerifPoint announces a New Health Plan data collection option utilizing the CAQH Universal Credentialing DataSource

Laguna Hills, CA - 05/18/2006 – VerifPoint, a nationally certified credentialing verification organization (CVO) for healthcare practitioners, today announced that it has established a methodology and process to receive data collection material from the “Universal Credentialing Data Source” (UCD) sponsored by the non-profit healthcare trade association - the Coalition for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH)*.

VerifPoint can collect UCD practitioner data on behalf of, and with access permission from, our health plan clients. VerifPoint will then perform primary source credentialing (i.e., Schools, State Licensing agencies, Specialty Boards, Hospitals, DEA, etc), and deliver the same electronic credential reports and services without disrupting VerifPoint clients’ current credentialing process.

Data collection typically involves (for health plans, VerifPoint and other CVO’s), the mailing, faxing, and telephone follow-up of practitioner credentialing applications. Once the information is collected, the data must be both data entered for electronic use and all of the practitioner’s credentialing documents scanned to accompany the provider’s electronic file.

According to CAQH, over 315,000 unique practitioners have already registered and are using the system that is supported by among others, the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, and the Medical Group Management Association.

A practitioner belonging to a provider network panel (for a healthcare company that has joined CAQH as a participating member) is invited to participate in the UCD for collection and housing of his professional credentials at no charge. The practitioner can complete and periodically (i.e., three times a year) update his or her pertinent information online. No verifications are performed by CAQH as this data is practitioner self-reported. Verification is still the job of the health plan or their contracted CVO.

Richard B. Ryan, founder, and President of VerifPoint has this statement: “We are very excited about the opportunity to improve our electronically efficient practitioner credentialing products, with the industry’s non-profit CAQH practitioner’s repository for non-verified provider data. VerifPoint can utilize this single access point to the practitioner, and with our recent marriage with Manhattan Data, deliver an even more efficient healthcare payer and administrator solution that separates VerifPoint from its competition.”

VerifPoint will still maintain its internal data collections process for those health plans that do not wish to participate in using the UCD at no extra charge. Whether an Insurance Carrier, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Hospital, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Independent Provider Association (IPA) or Managed Care Organization, VerifPoint now offers a complete array of professional credentials verification services, and every facet of back office administration for ALL Healthcare practitioner types.

For more information concerning CAQH, plan membership, and benefits, please visit www.caqh.org.

Jeff Nakamura

Manager, Company Communications

jnakmura@verifpoint.com

www.verifpoint.com

About VerifPoint Services

VerifPoint Services is a credentialing verification organization that offers nationwide medical, dental, vision and other healthcare credentialing related services. The company currently credentials in all 50 states and all healthcare disciplines. VerifPoint Services is fully certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for all recognized elements of credentials verification. The National Committee for Quality Assurance is an independent, non-profit organization that certifies credentials verification organizations, and accredits managed care organizations.

* CAQH, an unprecedented not-for-profit alliance of health plans, networks and trade associations, is a catalyst for industry collaboration on initiatives that simplify and streamline healthcare administration.  CAQH solutions help promote quality interactions between plans, providers and other stakeholders, reduce costs and frustrations associated with healthcare administration, facilitate administrative healthcare information exchange and encourage administrative and clinical data integration.