For Immediate Release

DeKaye Consulting Leverages Equifax Products and Services for Healthcare Risk Management Solution
New Solution Offers Customers Access to World-Class Data and Analytics

Oceanside, NY , August 2004– DeKaye Consulting, Inc. today announced that it has joined forces with Equifax Information Services to provide a solution that enables healthcare providers to address self-pay collections, bad debt write-offs and charity care documentation. Provider organizations and the collection agencies that support them can enhance revenue performance by leveraging the DeKaye suite of solutions, including the DeKaye Web portal, to access Equifax demographic, fraud/high risk, and predictive scoring solutions.

As hospitals and healthcare providers face increasing pressure to address mounting debt and diminishing margins, access to world-class data and analytics is key to improving collections and business efficiency. In a November 17, 2003 Crain’s New York Business article, Daniel Sisto, Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) President, was quoted as saying that “Every day, New York's hospitals treat patients who do not have health insurance; together, these institutions provide nearly $2 billion a year in uncompensated care." Struggling with bond rating downgrades, many healthcare providers are looking at tools such as DeKaye’s health risk management solution to minimize operating losses and improve their financial health.

“For healthcare organizations trying to do more with less, the pursuit of self-pay balances and improved collections requires the right mix of people, tools and technology, said Allan P. DeKaye, President and CEO, DeKaye Consulting. “The combination of DeKaye’s expertise in healthcare revenue cycle management and Equifax’s specialization in healthcare solutions enables us to help organizations address critical success factors such as improving cash collections, reducing bad debt, and streamlining documentation of charity care efforts for stronger bottom line results.”

With increased emphasis placed on bad debt follow up and charity care procedures, access to the right data and analytics helps collection agencies and healthcare providers work together to address delinquent accounts. Timely access to information is vital for collection agencies trying to help healthcare provider clients achieve their business objectives.

“Equifax is pleased to offer this unique solution through its relationship with DeKaye Consulting,” said Vince Corica, Equifax Senior Vice President. “Leveraging the power of Equifax’s consumer credit databases and world-class predictive modeling and analytics capabilities, DeKaye and Equifax offer the healthcare industry a robust risk management solution. Our joint solution helps organizations maximize efficiencies and manage revenue cycles online and offline, enabling healthcare companies to make strategic decisions about their business and the collections process.”

Together, DeKaye and Equifax deliver data and analytic capabilities in a leading-edge solution for the healthcare industry.

About Equifax
Equifax Inc. is a global leader in turning information into intelligence. For businesses, Equifax provides faster and easier ways to find, approve and market to the right customers. For consumers, Equifax offers easier, instantaneous ways to buy products or services, and better insight into and management of their personal credit. Equifax. Information That Empowers.

About DeKaye Consulting, Inc.
DeKaye Consulting, Inc., is a national consulting firm with over 30 years experience specializing in healthcare’s revenue cycle management. Allan P. DeKaye, President and CEO, MBA, FHFMA, is a recognized industry leader, servicing hospitals, physicians and corporate clients around the country. He is author of The Patient Accounts Management Handbook, and the creator of PFS Power Rankings(sm), a national benchmarking system evaluating hospital patient financial services performance. Mr. DeKaye serves on the editorial advisory boards for CCH Compliance publications, Aspen’s “Receivables Report” newsletter and HARA (Hospital Accounts Receivable Analysis) Report. He is the recipient of the New York Metropolitan HFMA’s Chapter’s “Founders Medal of Honor” in recognition of his service and professional contribution to the field.