Four New Agreements With HCA Affiliate Broadens Established Presence in San Antonio

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., March 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCM), a leading national physician group practice company, announced today that it has entered into agreements to provide hospitalist services to four Methodist Healthcare System hospitals in San Antonio. Methodist Healthcare System, a joint venture with HCA (NYSE:HCA), is the largest health care provider in the area.

The agreements, which formalize the practices IPC already has in place with these four facilities, are with Methodist Stone Oak Hospital and the Methodist Hospital campuses of: Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, Northeast Methodist Hospital, and Metropolitan Methodist Hospital. Additionally, IPC already has a contract with Methodist Hospital, the flagship facility of the Methodist Healthcare System.

Dominic Dominguez, Chief Operating Officer for Methodist Healthcare, said, "IPC and its physicians have already demonstrated that they are focused on providing high-quality outcomes and strong continuity of care for the inpatients they serve in our hospitals. Formalizing our agreements was an easy decision to make and we're looking forward to a continuing and mutually rewarding partnership. Plus, IPC's resources and capabilities will serve to further enhance the reputation for efficient, high quality care which Methodist enjoys in San Antonio."

Jay Evans, Executive Director for IPC's San Antonio region, said, "In addition to shoring up  our commitment to providing patients with excellent healthcare and the best possible hospital experience, we're focusing on aligning with the hospitals' goals -- including providing 24/7 call coverage. IPC's added resources, including our IPC-Link® practice management system, will also help improve the quality and continuity of patient care. At the same time, physicians will be able to make full use of Methodists' 'One Call' Patient Placement Center, which optimizes bed utilization while maintaining high levels of patient satisfaction."

About IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc.

IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCM) is a leading physician group practice company focused on the delivery of hospitalist medicine and related facility-based services. IPC's physicians and affiliated providers practice in hospitals or other inpatient facilities, including acute, sub-acute and long-term care settings. The Company offers its providers the comprehensive training, information technology, and management support systems necessary to improve the quality and reduce the cost of patient care in the facilities it serves. For more information, visit the IPC website at www.hospitalist.com.

About Methodist Healthcare

Since 1963, Methodist Healthcare has provided outstanding medical services and constantly strives to keep pace with the technological advances being made in health care. What truly makes Methodist Healthcare special is its people: a team of compassionate, dedicated health care professionals working to fulfill the mission of Serving Humanity to Honor God and providing exceptional and cost-effective health care accessible to all. The system comprises 27 facilities, nine of them hospitals including Methodist Hospital and its campuses at Methodist Children's Hospital, Methodist Heart Hospital, Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, Methodist Texsan Hospital, Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, Northeast Methodist Hospital; along with Methodist Stone Oak Hospital and Methodist Ambulatory Hospital. Visit www.SAHealth.com to learn more.

CONTACT: Media Contact:

         Elaine Murphy

         Scott Public Relations

         818.610.0270

         elaine@scottpublicrelations.com

         Investor Contacts:

         The Ruth Group

         Amy Glynn

         646.536.7023

         aglynn@theruthgroup.com

Source: IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc.

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