1st May 2008

Residents of the Greater Palm Beach area can now take more control of their personalized healthcare by enrolling in Health Link, a bio-medical technology that is currently being introduced by the VeriChip Corporation of Delray Beach, in cooperation with 16 regional hospitals, including Bethesda Healthcare System, Good Samaritan Medical Center, JFK Medical Center, Jupiter Medical Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Health Link connects a person to his or her personal health record, allowing emergency room physicians and nurses to have immediate access to those records during an emergency. This enables the attending medical team to treat the patient more rapidly, accurately and safely. Aside from facilitating immediate access to the patient’s vital medical data, emergency contact information is also provided, offering greater peace of mind for the Health Link member, his or her family and caregivers.

Health Link requires implanting program participants with a tiny microchip (similar in size to a grain of rice) just under the skin in the rear upper portion of the right arm. The Health Link microchip contains a 16-digit identification number that, when scanned by a Health Link reader, provides a secure link to a private, online database that reveals the patient’s personal health records and emergency contact information. No other information is contained on the microchip. Once the Health Link microchip is implanted, it cannot be lost or stolen.

Through a marketing agreement, VeriChip Corporation, creator of Health Link and a provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for healthcare and patient-related needs, is teaming with HearUSA, Inc. and its HEARx centers to offer easy access for area residents wishing to enroll in Health Link.

Scott R. Silverman, Chairman and CEO of VeriChip, said, “Our agreement with HearUSA allows us to offer consumers a number of convenient area locations in a professional setting where they can learn about Health Link and enroll as a program participant.”

“As a South Florida company,” Silverman continued, “We’re particularly pleased that Greater Palm Beach area residents will be among the first in the nation able to take advantage of the Health Link product and service. To make sure that we reach as many consumers and healthcare providers as possible, we’re about to begin our first ever direct-to-consumer marketing campaign. We want people to know that a simple, yet critical tool has become available to add to their arsenal of wellness products and services.”

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