WATERTOWN, MA – Officials of athenahealth, Inc., a provider of Internet-based business services for physician practices, have signed a five-year contract extension with Plano, Texas-based Perot Systems.

Under the agreement Perot Systems will provide athenahealth with business process services relating to revenue cycle and clinical data capture services.

Officials say the extension will serve to further strengthen the relationship the companies have built over seven years.

"Our relationship with Perot Systems has allowed us to focus on what we do best, providing innovative services to our medical group clients that increase operational and clinical outcomes," said athenahealth's executive vice president and COO, James MacDonald. "We look forward to continuing to provide our clients with a diverse range of services with the help of Perot Systems while also expanding athenahealth's operational leverage."

The deal is also expected to strengthen Perot Systems' position as a global leader in revenue cycle services, specifically in the business process solutions and the IT services space.  

"The extension with athenahealth confirms their level of trust with Perot Systems," said Anurag Jain, president of Perot Systems' insurance and business process solutions and applications solutions groups. "We take great pride in our relationship with athenahealth. Our goal is to continue to use our expertise and global delivery model to provide athenahealth with flexibility and focus that helps strengthen their leadership position. We look forward to growing with athenahealth in the coming years."