Merge Receives Healthcare Informatics' Most Intere

CHICAGO, May 29, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merge Healthcare Incorporated (Nasdaq: MRGE ), a leading provider of innovative enterprise imaging, interoperability and clinical systems that seek to advance healthcare, today announced that it has been honored as one of Healthcare Informatics' (HCI) Most Interesting Vendors of 2014. In addition, Merge has also been ranked on the 2014 HCI 100 listing of top performing vendors for the sixth consecutive year.

"Both of these acknowledgements are true testaments of our dedication in developing enterprise imaging and advanced interoperability strategies for the healthcare community – no matter the challenges from a policy or legislative standpoint," said Justin Dearborn, CEO at Merge Healthcare. "The changing healthcare landscape provides opportunities for vendors to stand out when they have a solution that works. This recognizes our industry leadership in imaging informatics and our strategic imaging solutions that advance healthcare and ultimately enhance the patient care experience across the continuum of care."

Merge remained focused throughout the year, developing and launching its new advanced interoperability platform, iConnect ^® Network , an advanced imaging network that allows hospitals, providers and imaging centers to exchange imaging information securely and electronically. This network enables healthcare organizations to reduce costs, increase referrals and meet Meaningful Use Stage 2 requirements for the exchange of images and reports with community physicians, as well as provides better access to imaging to enhance patient care.

Additional factors driving success include:

• Merge Cardio™ named 2013 "Best in KLAS" in the Cardiology Software Category and Merge Hemo™ ranked "Category Leader" for Cardiology Hemodynamics for the third consecutive year*; and
• Certification completion of Meaningful Use Stage 2 for all applicable solutions, enabling customers to meet image exchange requirements and receive additional government reimbursement.
• Upcoming launch of iConnect ^® Retinal Screening , an end-to-end retinal screening solution that will allow providers to quickly identify and diagnose patients with diabetic retinal disease, leading to reduced costs and enhanced patient care.

HCI chooses the Most Interesting Vendors from their annual HCI 100 listing, based on their current trajectories and market positions compared to the current healthcare trends. Annual HCI 100 rankings are determined through surveys of healthcare vendors for total revenue earned during the previous year. Total revenue is solely derived from the sale of healthcare IT products and services to healthcare providers and analyzed through Porter Research and ST Advisors, LLC .

*2013 Best in KLAS: Software & Services

About Merge

Merge is a leading provider of innovative enterprise imaging, interoperability and clinical systems that seek to advance healthcare. Merge's enterprise and cloud-based technologies for image intensive specialties provide access to any image, anywhere, any time. Merge also provides clinical trials software with end-to-end study support in a single platform and other intelligent health data and analytics solutions. With solutions that have been used by providers for more than 25 years, Merge is helping to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and enhance the quality of healthcare worldwide. For more information, visit merge.com and follow us @MergeHealthcare .

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements, which could involve a number of risks and uncertainties. When used in this press release, the words "will," "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "expects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements.

Media Contact: Jennifer Jawor Vice President, Corporate Marketing 312.565.6825