- Innovative Program Is Designed to Benefit Patients, Reduce Wait Times and Improve Outcomes -

TORONTO, Aug. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Centric Health Corporation ("Centric Health" or "the Company") (TSX: CHH), today announced that it has launched its Triage Assessment Program (TAP) and its first TAP Centre, located at Rouge Valley Health System in Scarborough, Ontario.  The Centre is being launched through a joint venture with Orthopaedic Surgeons Dr. Jon Hummel and Dr. Richard Kaminker.

"Some surgical specialists have waiting lists of more than 1,000 patients, many of whom wait months for consultation only to find they are not suitable candidates for surgery," said David Cutler, President and Chief Executive Officer, Centric Health Corporation. "TAP has been developed to benefit patients, as well as their GPs, specifically assisting patients in navigating the healthcare system during these long and often unnecessary wait times.  It will provide them with early diagnosis and intervention to support the highest levels of appropriate care, avoid complications and improve outcomes."

Mr. Cutler added, "TAP is one more example of our innovation and commitment to partnering with healthcare professionals and stakeholders to bring quality care and outcomes to patients.  Our Centre at Rouge Valley is a first step in our broader plan to establish TAP Centres across Canada."

TAP will provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessments of the surgeon's patients in a timely fashion in collaboration with the surgeons, to help determine their best care pathway to reduce deterioration, complications, pain, medication and costs associated with navigating the healthcare system while waiting for consultation and prospective surgery.  It is an extension of a surgeon's practice, triaging patients and determining their best care options.

Each multidisciplinary triage team will be selected and supervised by a specialist to provide patients with early diagnoses and intervention. Patients can be seen earlier by a TAP team and undergo a comprehensive and multidisciplinary assessment, supporting improved outcomes. Patients will have freedom of choice in selecting service providers in addition to Centric Health's physiotherapy, rehabilitation, bracing, orthotics, pharmacy and retail and home medical equipment offerings.

For more information, visit the visit the TAP web site at:  www.centrichealthtap.ca

About Centric Health 

Centric Health's vision is to be Canada's premier healthcare company, providing innovative solutions centered on patients and healthcare professionals. As a diversified healthcare company with investments in several niche service areas, Centric Health currently has operations in medical assessments, disability and rehabilitation management, physiotherapy and surgical centres, homecare, specialty pharmacy and wellness and prevention. With knowledge and experience of healthcare delivery in international markets and extensive and trusted relationships with payers, physicians, and government agencies, Centric Health is pursuing expansion opportunities into other healthcare sectors to create value for all stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to the highest quality of care. Centric Health is listed on the TSX under the symbol CHH. For further information, please visit www.centrichealth.ca.

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.  These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding business strategy, plans and other expectations, beliefs, goals, objectives, information and statements about possible future events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and in some instances to differ materially from those anticipated by Centric Health and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits Centric Health will derive there-from. 

SOURCE: Centric Health Corporation