Matria's Health a Matter of Contention

Indeed, Petit views DM as a wonderful opportunity in general.

Companies like Matria claim to save their clients significant sums of money by managing the care of chronically ill employees while improving the health of other workers who risk becoming sick themselves. However, industry participants have used different -- and sometimes controversial -- methods for calculating just how much money they save their clients in the end.

Matria told TheStreet.com that it would find a client willing to discuss its own savings, but so far has failed to do so. Meanwhile, the company sees no legitimate reason why it has come under attack.

"We have to deal with it," Petit said. "Our competitor, Healthways, has been there before -- and now it's our turn. ... Any company that has the appreciation in their stock price and market cap like we have is always going to get a short-sell focus."

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