News Release Details

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2005--Chemed Corporation ("Chemed") (NYSE:CHE) today announced that its VITAS Healthcare Corporation of Pennsylvania (VITAS) subsidiary has acquired Hospice of Greater Pittsburgh Comfort Care located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, effective March 1, 2005. This acquisition adds approximately 85 patients to those cared for through VITAS' network of hospice programs. VITAS is the nation's largest provider of end-of-life hospice care services.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Timothy O'Toole, Chief Executive Officer of VITAS, stated, "VITAS continues to build on its momentum in the acquisition arena with the addition of this quality provider in the important Western Pennsylvania market. A long-time leader in a competitive hospice market, Hospice of Greater Pittsburgh has benefited from the active involvement of its owners and earned a well-deserved reputation for the quality of its end-of-life care and its record as a progressive employer. VITAS is eager to build upon Hospice of Greater Pittsburgh's success to further expand our reach in Western Pennsylvania."

The Hospice of Greater Pittsburgh acquisition follows VITAS' 2004 acquisitions of Haven House Hospice in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 26 and Premier Hospice and Palliative Care in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 17. VITAS now operates 34 hospice programs in 12 states.

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chemed Corporation (www.chemed.com) operates two wholly owned subsidiaries: VITAS Healthcare and Roto-Rooter. VITAS is the nation's largest provider of end-of-life hospice care and Roto-Rooter is the nation's leading provider of plumbing and drain cleaning services.

Statements in this press release or in other Chemed communications may relate to future events or Chemed's future performance. Such statements are forward-looking statements and are based on present information Chemed has related to its existing business circumstances. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risk that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Further, investors are cautioned that Chemed does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements based on unanticipated events or changed expectations.

    CONTACT: Chemed Corporation
             David P. Williams, 513-762-6901

    SOURCE: Chemed Corporation