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COLUMBUS, Ohio & NASHVILLE, Tenn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) announced today that they have entered into a three-year agreement to transfer the management of the State of Ohioas Take Charge! Live Well! population health management program to Healthways.

"We look forward to partnering with Healthways to ensure that our state employees are provided the highest quality of health and wellness programs, tools and resources."

Under the terms of the agreement, Healthways will assume responsibility for implementing an integrated set of services collectively known as Healthways Well-Being Improvement Solution. These services include Healthways Well-Being Assessmentsa", the Well-Being Connecta" web-based personal behavior change application, wellbeingGOa" mobile application, biometric screenings, onsite program management, health risk coaching, disease management, hospital discharge program, incentive management, wellness competitions and challenges, and access to a nurse line/decision support system.

The program is designed to actively engage more than 48,000 state employees and their more than 72,000 spouses and dependent family members in fulfilling the stateas Population Health Management mission statement: aTo create an environment that empowers State of Ohio employees and their families to maintain optimal health, wellness, and productivity by taking responsibility for their own health and use of the health care system.a

aThe Take Charge! Live Well! program has made a strong impact in helping State of Ohio employees become more healthy through programs such as the diabetes prevention program, health coaching and health screenings,a said Ohio Department of Administrative Services Director Robert Blair. aWe look forward to partnering with Healthways to ensure that our state employees are provided the highest quality of health and wellness programs, tools and resources.a

Healthways was chosen after a lengthy competitive selection process and will assume responsibility for program management, delivery of services and the implementation of new tools and capabilities beginning in July 2012. aIn the post-health care reform environment, the challenges facing Americaas health care system are well understood,a said Ben R. Leedle, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Healthways. aIndividual state governments are under ever mounting fiscal pressure both as large employers and as government entities. There is growing recognition among all stakeholders that the best solutions will be based on collaborative efforts that help individuals, wherever they may be on the health continuum, avoid the next episode of care and, when care is needed, assure that itas provided effectively, efficiently and by health care professionals who are able to maximize their training and capabilities. In Ohio, we will be collecting information from multiple health service and managed care organizations to integrate with our own solutions to provide a seamless member experience. By doing so, we expect to significantly improve member engagement and deliver proven solutions that will improve the health and well-being of members, improve member satisfaction with the care experience and, as a result, reduce overall health-related costs and improve individual and organizational performance. We are looking forward to working with the State of Ohio on this initiative,a Leedle added, aand we credit the DAS for their leadership and action in bringing these services to their employee and dependent population.

About Healthways

Healthways is the largest independent global provider of well-being improvement solutions. Dedicated to creating a healthier world one person at a time, the Company uses the science of behavior change to produce and measure positive change in well-being for our customers, which include employers, integrated health systems, hospitals, physicians, health plans, communities and government entities. We provide highly specific and personalized support for each individual and their team of experts to optimize each participantas health and productivity and to reduce health-related costs. Results are achieved by addressing longitudinal health risks and care needs of everyone in a given population. The Company has scaled its proprietary technology infrastructure and delivery capabilities developed over 30 years and now serves approximately 40 million people on four continents. Learn more at [ www.healthways.com ].

About Ohio Department of Administrative Services

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), led by Robert Blair, is committed to providing quality centralized services, specialized support and innovative solutions to state agencies, boards and commissions as well as local governments and state universities.

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