Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights: BioScrip, Inc., WellPoint and NovaMed Inc.

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – May 29, 2009 – Zacks.com releases the latest Industry Outlook. Today's interview is with senior analyst Chris Kallos, who talks about the Healthcare Industry, including BioScrip, Inc. (BIOS - Analyst Report), WellPoint (WLP - Analyst Report) and NovaMed Inc. (NOVA - Analyst Report).

A synopsis of today's Industry Outlook is presented below. The full article can be read at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678.

Health technology holds promise of improved operating efficiencies for many parts of the healthcare industry, hospitals included. However, in the short term those that stand to benefit the most from the stimulus are the companies whose business models are based on information technology platforms.

One such company is BioScrip, Inc. (BIOS - Analyst Report) , a specialty pharmacy services provider and pharmacy benefit manager. Bioscrip operates two interrelated business segments, namely: Specialty Services, which is comprised of specialty pharmacy distribution and clinical management services; and PBM Services, which is comprised of pharmacy benefit management and traditional mail services. We currently rate the stock of BioScrip a Buy.

Despite our currently neutral stance on managed care providers overall, we continue to rate WellPoint (WLP - Analyst Report) as a Buy given its broad product offering, geographic reach and potential for added synergy gains from relatively recent acquisitions. That said, we believe the recent action by CMS to suspend the company from enrolling new patients in the health insurance Medicare Advantage plan and the prescription drug benefit, Medicare Part D will add to negative sentiment in the short term. We believe the action by CMS is reversible and highlights operational issues that can be addressed by management in the short term.

Another current Buy recommendation is NovaMed Inc. (NOVA - Analyst Report). NOVA is an emerging healthcare services company engaged in the operation of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and the provision of optical products and services to eye-care professionals. We remain positive with the company's performance to date, given the continued strength of cash flows from operations and same facility revenue growth.

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