CareFirst Expands Technology Offering To Consumer Market With BENEFITFOCUS eBilling

CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Benefitfocus today announced that it will begin providing BENEFITFOCUS® eBilling to CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield's direct-to-consumer market. By delivering eBilling, an Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment (EIPP) solution to its more than 180,000 individual members, CareFirst is broadening its use of the BENEFITFOCUS® Platform, which the carrier has used for several years to manage online enrollment, billing and data exchange for its group market.

As one of the largest healthcare insurers in the Mid-Atlantic region, CareFirst is committed to providing the highest levels of service to its more than 3.4 million customers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia. CareFirst has contracted with Benefitfocus to improve billing system efficiency and enhance its growing direct-to-consumer market. Benefitfocus is the nation's largest healthcare and benefits software provider.

BENEFITFOCUS eBilling will help CareFirst transform its billing processes and drive administrative efficiency. Prior to the implementation of eBilling, CareFirst used a paper-driven billing system to manage each account in its individual consumer market. eBilling allows CareFirst to replace these time-consuming and cumbersome processes while providing consumers with a user-friendly online bill payment application.

"Improving administrative efficiencies will be important in addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing healthcare industry," said Andy Sullivan, Senior Vice President of the Consumer Direct Administrative Service Unit for CareFirst. "As the Mid-Atlantic region's largest not-for-profit insurer, we are continually seeking innovative solutions to improve our customers' experience." 

eBilling enables consumers to manage and pay their bills online through a Web-based portal in the same way they might use online banking or make utility bill payments from their personal computer. Upon entering eBilling securely through the CareFirst website, consumers can pay a consolidated bill for multiple benefits, view billing history, print bills and opt to receive e-mail notifications. eBilling also gives customers multiple payment options and the ability to schedule recurring payments. CareFirst is able to configure and customize eBilling's user interface, and with just a few clicks, can easily edit everything from the colors and layout, to the rules for what each customer is allowed to view.

"It's an honor to work with an industry leader like CareFirst as we continue to provide consumers with the technology they need to effectively manage their benefits. For several years, our companies have shared a commitment to anticipating consumers' needs and proactively providing the technology they need, when they need it," said Shawn Jenkins, President and CEO of Benefitfocus. "We look forward to working together as we raise the bar in today's healthcare marketplace and set a new standard for serving America's healthcare consumers."

About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

In its 74th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.  To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our Web site at www.carefirst.com or follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CareFirst_News.

About Benefitfocus

consumers, 329,121 employers, 58,876 brokers and 3,021 carrier representatives live on the Benefitfocus Platform. Benefitfocus offers a single Web-based platform for benefit shopping, enrollment, management and industry-standard data exchange. Benefitfocus – All Your Benefits. One Place. www.benefitfocus.com

SOURCE Benefitfocus