Heritage Labs Announces A1c Test Certification Milestone


BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Nov. 11, 2008 -- First laboratory to be certified for A1c testing using dried blood spot specimens Heritage Labs International LLC, a division of Hooper Holmes (AMEX:HH), today announced certification of their hemoglobin A1c testing methods by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP).

Heritage Labs uses two blood testing methods for hemoglobin A1c, one for testing whole blood specimens and the other for testing dried blood spots (DBS), both of which have been certified by NGSP. Heritage Labs is the first, and only, laboratory worldwide specifically listed to be certified for A1c testing using dried blood spot specimens. There are currently 78 laboratories worldwide currently certified by the NGSP, and only 20 of those labs are in the United States of America.

Heritage Labs uses the DBS testing method in its Appraise(R) Home A1c Kit, which provides consumers with an inexpensive and easy-to-use blood test that produces highly accurate and reliable test results equivalent to whole blood tests collected in physicians' offices. This DBS test is designed to be safely and easily completed in the privacy of one's home and mailed to the lab. Results are delivered online or in the mail within a few days.

The Appraise(R) Home A1c Kit is available now at many retail locations including Wal-Mart, where it is marketed as the Reli-On A1C Test. The test is also available under Heritage Labs' Appraise brand in other retail locations nationwide, including Rite Aid and other independent pharmacies.

"This certification not only recognizes the high standards which we uphold at Heritage Labs, it recognizes our position as a leader in this field," said Mark Patterson, President of Heritage Labs. "The A1c testing market is growing rapidly and we are proud to be able to provide consumers with the only NGSP certified at-home method of testing kit on the market."

About NGSP

The purpose of NGSP certification is to standardize glycated hemoglobin test results so that they are comparable to results reported in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), which established relationships between A1c levels and risk for complications of diabetes. This certification assures that A1c test results are tied to a reference standard. The DCCT method is considered to be the gold standard for reliable A1c testing. More information can be found at www.ngsp.org.

About Heritage Labs

Heritage Labs International LLC, a division of Hooper Holmes, was founded in 1997 as the value leader in laboratory services that provide information to help people manage and reduce risk. One of the most automated testing laboratories in the industry, Heritage Labs has achieved certification from the College of American Pathologists (CAP), a recognized benchmark of quality. All kit manufacturing and laboratory testing is performed at Heritage Labs' headquarters in Olathe, Kansas.

About Hooper Holmes

Hooper Holmes is the leader in collecting personal health data and transforming it into useful information, enabling customers to take actions that manage or reduce their risks and expenses. As the leading provider of risk assessment services for the insurance industry, Hooper Holmes provides insurers with the widest range of medical exam, data collection, laboratory testing and underwriting services in the industry.

With presence in over 250 markets and a network of thousands of examiners, Hooper Holmes can arrange a medical exam anywhere in the U.S. and deliver the results to its customers. Each year we arrange more medical exams than any other company and process 3.8 million specimens in our laboratory. We provide a complete service for wellness, disease management, and managed care companies including scheduling support, fulfillment of supplies, blood collection kits, medical screenings, lab testing and data transmission.

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements are our ability to successfully implement our business strategy; uncertainty as to our working capital requirements over the next 12 to 24 months; our ability to maintain compliance with the financial covenants in our credit facility; our expectations regarding our operating cash flows; and the rate of life insurance application activity. Additional information about these and other factors that could affect the Company's business is set forth in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2008. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.



            

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