HMS Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: HMSY)--a leading provider of cost-containment services for Medicare, Medicaid, and other healthcare payers--today announced it debuted in this year's InformationWeek 500. The annual list tracks the nation's most innovative users of business technology.

"HMS Holdings Corp. helps government and commercial healthcare payers save billions of dollars a year, and much of that savings depends on sharp data deployment and innovative uses of technology," said Cynthia Nustad, chief information officer at HMS Holdings Corp. "That's why we're especially honored to appear on the InformationWeek 500 for the first time."

Compiled by InformationWeek, the list assesses companies' use of technology, budgeting, infrastructure, strategies, and other business practices to highlight the best IT businesses in the country.

"The InformationWeek 500 has recognized the most innovative users of business technology for 24 years, and this year's innovations were particularly impressive," said InformationWeek editor in chief Rob Preston. "What the editors looked for are unconventional approaches--new technologies, new models, new ways of grabbing business opportunities and solving complex problems with IT"

Several factors contributed to HMS Holdings Corp's selection. One was a substantial increase in the IT budget, made possible in part by the high growth of the company. Another was the goal of leveraging technology solutions to meet customers' needs, as well as the understandable way IT communicates with HMS Holdings Corp. executives.

"Getting executive support is critical to making progress in IT, especially in a company like ours that is has experienced significant growth," said Nustad. "We did that by framing our requests in language everyone can understand, even with offbeat category names like 'Seats and Feets' to group the requests related to human capital and training."

The strategy worked. HMS Holdings Corp. significantly boosted its IT budget. Other keys to success included an ambitious strategy to upgrade HMS Holdings Corp.'s systems and improving the level of transparency so everyone can see key activities within IT functions. HMS Holdings Corp. has no intention of letting up.

"We're excited about making the InformationWeek 500," said Nustad, "and it would be an honor to be recognized again in the future."

About HMS Holdings Corp.

HMS Holdings Corp., through such business units as HMS and HDI, provides coordination of benefits and program integrity services for payers. These units serve health and human services programs in more than 40 states; commercial programs, including commercial plans, employers, and over 135 Medicaid managed care plans; the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); and Veterans Administration facilities. As a result of these services, clients recovered more than $2.5 billion and saved nearly $7 billion through the prevention of erroneous payments in 2011.

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HMS
Francesca Marraro, 212-857-5442
fmarraro@hms.com
or
InformationWeek
Winnie Ng Schuchman, 631-406-6507
wng@techweb.com