athenahealth Moving up among Fastest Growing U.S. Companies; Ranks 77th on Inc 500 Fastest...

WATERTOWN, Mass. -- athenahealth, the premier provider of online revenue cycle management services for medical practices, ranked number 77 on the Inc. 500, a ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. In addition, ranked among both private and public US companies, athenahealth

"A lot of people are trying to do the same thing we are - help doctors spend less time on paperwork and more time caring for patients," said Jonathan Bush, co-founder and chief executive officer of athenahealth. "What is unique about athenahealth is that we are going about it in a totally new and much more successful way, combining web software with a massive knowledgebase and actual hard-working people who take care of all of the nitty-gritty details that technology alone just can't. We are surprised that no one is copying us yet, but we're thrilled too because our unique ability to tackle this huge problem is really the main reason for our dramatic growth."

With $39 million in 2004 revenue and more than $1.4 billion in claims handled annually, Waltham-based athenahealth has become a nationally recognized force for change in healthcare. The company's revenue increase from 2000 to 2004 was 1,409 percent.

"When you look at the amazing job growth among Inc. 500 companies and contrast it with the stagnation in the Fortune 500, it underscores the changing nature of our economy," said Jim Melloan, project manager for the Inc. 500. "With unprecedented global competition, companies have to be able to turn on a dime and discover innovative new ways of doing business. Increasingly, it's the smaller, agile companies like those on the Inc. 500 that are best equipped to meet these challenges."

The Inc. 500 ranks privately held companies according to year-over-year sales growth from 2001 to 2004. With approximately 75 percent of all new job creation in the U.S. coming from entrepreneurial businesses, the Inc. 500 opens a window onto the companies and industries that are driving the economy forward. Over the years, the Inc. 500 has identified the next generation of world-class companies.

"Making the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 is commendable in today's highly competitive technology industry," said Tony Kern, deputy national managing principal of Deloitte's Technology, Media & Telecommunications industry practice. "We congratulate athenahealth on being one of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in North America."

About athenahealth

athenahealth offers the only physician revenue cycle management service that integrates practice workflow, payor knowledge, and billing and collections specialists into a single service on a single Web-based technology platform. The results are faster payment at lower cost, higher revenue retention and less hassle for more than 5,000 providers nationwide. The company collects over $1.4 billion on behalf of its clients annually. athenahealth is dedicated to helping providers make optimum use of their time, ultimately improving the quality of service delivered and the financial reward for it. For more information about athenahealth, visit our Web site at www.athenahealth.com or call 1-888-652-8200.

About Inc.

Inc., the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, delivers real solutions for today's innovative company builders. It provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. Inc. is also the only publication that focuses on small to medium-size businesses, responsible for more than half the nation's gross domestic product and 70% of its new jobs. And Inc. looks beyond work to address the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Inc., a Mansueto Ventures LLC publication, inspires and informs, with cutting-edge coverage that reflects our readers' energy, brashness, and imagination.

About Deloitte

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Deloitte & Touche USA LLP is the US member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. In the US, services are provided by the subsidiaries of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP (Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, Deloitte Tax LLP and their subsidiaries), and not by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP.