EATONTOWN, N.J., April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- QMed, Inc. (Nasdaq Symbol: QMED) today announced that it has formalized the name change for its weight and health management subsidiary, Forward Health, previously referred to as Health e Monitoring. Forward Health's highly personalized, interactive program assists individuals with obesity, metabolic syndrome and related co-morbidities. Forward Health is actively offering their integrated services through a variety of business channels as well as direct-to-consumer. Forward Health entered the market to offer a powerful solution to the obesity epidemic vastly threatening our nation. According to the American Obesity Association, obesity and metabolic syndrome are the leading causes of preventable death in the U.S., costing the nation between $69-$117 billion per year, as stated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Providing an effective protocol has become a financial and health priority, with great franchise value. Forward Health's mission is addressing these weight-related issues as well as the rising trends of associated chronic conditions, thereby increasing overall medical health and wellness. "Forward Health offers the best of 'high tech and high touch' solutions," said Randall Burt, Forward Health President. "Our highly customized program is designed to help its members manage their weight concerns as well as improve their overall long-term health. We enable participants to engage in our services from the convenience and privacy of their home or office, with online support as well as Personal Health Coaching to address their core diet and nutrition, exercise and fitness, and behavior modification needs." Michael W. Cox, QMed President and CEO, said, "The formalization of the Forward Health name marks QMed's commitment and continued course to improve the health and quality of life for our members with engaging support, as we continue to reduce costs for healthcare providers and health plan administrators. We have over 20 years experience offering wellness and care management programs to patients through physicians, and we are excited to bring this proven expertise to those in need of medically based health and wellness programs." About QMed, Inc. QMed provides evidence-based clinical information management systems around the country to its health plan customers. The system incorporates Disease Management services to patients and decision support to physicians. The Company's QMedCare subsidiary specializes in serving high-risk populations of Medicare beneficiaries. Forward Health is QMed's subsidiary offering weight, obesity and health promotion programs. The Company has participated in two Medicare Demonstrations to test the feasibility of reimbursing its care coordinated DM services in the vast Medicare fee-for-service program and one is still in operation. More information on QMed, Inc. can be obtained at http://www.qmedinc.com/, by calling 732.544.5544 or by emailing . About Forward Health Forward Health provides comprehensive weight management and health improvement programs to individuals with or at risk of obesity and associated chronic conditions. These programs are beneficial to health insurance plans, healthcare companies and employer groups, providing them an effective means of improving member and employee health while reducing related healthcare costs. Programs are also offered directly to consumers and through Registered Dietitians in private practice. More information on Forward Health can be obtained by calling 732.544.5544 or by emailing . DATASOURCE: QMed, Inc. CONTACT: Randall Burt, President of Forward Health for QMed, Inc., +1-732-544-5544, or Web site: http://www.qmedinc.com/

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