Quest Diagnostics , the nation's leading provider of diagnostic laboratory testing, information and services announced today that its Care360™ Physician Portal is one of the preferred electronic health tools for Pennsylvania physicians who receive funding from the Highmark eHealth Collaborative, a physician incentive program funded by Highmark Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

The Pittsburgh Foundation, via the Highmark eHealth Collaborative, is distributing more than $26.5 million to Pennsylvania physician offices for them to implement information technology in their practices, including ePrescribing, to improve the quality of patient care and expand the use of more cost-effective drugs. The collaborative will reach all Pennsylvania- licensed physicians in 49 counties in Western and Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.

The Care360 product suite offers information technology solutions to physicians which enable them to efficiently access, use and share clinical information at the point of care. The Care360 Physician Portal is designed to enable physicians to order diagnostic tests and review laboratory results online; prescribe medications; view clinical and administrative information from multiple sources; file documents received electronically or in hard copy into a health record; and share confidential patient information with medical colleagues in a manner that is consistent with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) privacy and security requirements. Care360 was developed by MedPlus, the healthcare information technology subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics.

"Providing physicians and their office staff with point-of-care information technology such as our Care360 Physician Portal offers significant opportunities for improvements in quality and office efficiency -- leading to more time for patient care," said Richard Mahoney, Vice President, Healthcare Information Solutions at Quest Diagnostics. "We are excited to see organizations like the Highmark eHealth Collaborative assist physician offices and we are looking forward to helping them and their staff implement valuable technology."

For information about Care360 contact MedPlus at 1-800-444-6235 or for the Highmark eHealth Collaborative, visit http://www.highmarkehealth.org/.

About MedPlus

MedPlus, the healthcare information technology subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics, is a leading developer and integrator of clinical connectivity and healthcare data management solutions that foster better patient care and improve business performance for healthcare institutions, physicians and patients. The company's ChartMaxx and Care360 solutions efficiently and securely collect, store, manage and integrate clinical information within an organization, enterprise, practice or community. ChartMaxx, the award-winning electronic patient record solution, has been implemented in more than 100 hospitals and clinics with over 115,000 clinical and administrative users. The Care360 product suite offers information technology solutions to physicians and health plans which enable them to efficiently access, use and share clinical information necessary for informed decision making. The Care360 Physician Portal is a patient-centric physician portal providing a network of over 50,000 physicians and their staff with tools to improve patient care and overall office efficiency. For more information, visit the Company's Web site at http://www.medplus.com/.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its national network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative new diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available 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, competitive environment, changes in government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers and strategic partners and other factors described in the Quest Diagnostics Incorporated 2004 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics

CONTACT: Laure Park, Investors, +1-201-393-5030, or Jennifer Somers,
Media, +1-201-729-8386, both of Quest Diagnostics

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