Benefitfocus announced a 10-year agreement with Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) for Benefitfocus eEnrollmentTM and Benefitfocus eExchangeTM solutions. HMSA will utilize the new technology to replace its current paper-based enrollment and data interchange between the employer and their members. As highly flexible systems, eEnrollment and eExchange will be configured to automatically enforce the unique business rules of HMSA and its employer groups.

“Our selection of Benefitfocus is another important step forward in our role as Hawaii’s health care leader,” said Linda Katagiri, HMSA senior vice president of Internal Operations. “This new technology will offer our employer groups a more efficient method of doing business with us, as well as continuing unparalleled service to all of our members.”

The Hawaii health plan insures more than half the population of the state, reaching more than 700,000 members. eEnrollment and eExchange will help HMSA maintain its promise of quality, affordable health plans, employee benefit services and worksite wellness programs to these current, and prospective, members.

“Being selected by HMSA is a huge privilege for Benefitfocus. We know that as the market leader in Hawaii, HMSA demands the very best for its customers,” explained Shawn Jenkins, president and CEO for Benefitfocus. “We are excited to partner with them to bring the best technology in the marketplace to their customers. Signing a 10 year agreement is a great long-term indicator that we are well-positioned to serve HMSA and the ever-changing needs of the healthcare market.”

With eEnrollment, HMSA can offer employer groups and members access to online enrollment and benefit management tools for employers and consumer eligibility data 24-hours a day via the Internet. eEnrollment provides employers with tools for communicating benefit information to employees and managing the benefit enrollment process for open enrollment, new hires, terminations and qualifying events. Consumers use eEnrollment to learn about their benefits, make benefit selections and make changes throughout the year. HMSA can also offer employers the ability to streamline elections, retain more accurate information and save time and money without having to shuffle through stacks of paper.

eExchange will eliminate the challenges of directly moving and synchronizing data between HMSA and its more than 12,000 employer groups, all while staying HIPAA compliant. The application receives the data in the employer’s preferred format and translates it into the carrier’s configuration. This transformation includes data validation, business rules enforcement and data format translation.

As the largest healthcare benefits software company in the U.S., Benefitfocus reaches more than 53.8 million consumers with its technology. With innovative communication solutions and self-service convenience, all Benefitfocus products and services are delivered through a Software as a Service (SaaS) model via the Benefitfocus Communication Platform. The fully integrated consumer-driven platform allows individuals to take control of their healthcare options through informative decision-making tools. Benefitfocus enterprise applications automate business processes, reduce operating costs and provide access to accurate health information.

HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is governed by a community board of directors that includes representatives from health care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community at large. HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Nationally, HMSA and 38 other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans provide worldwide coverage to more than 100 million members. For more information, please visit HMSA at www.hmsa.com.

Benefitfocus is the largest healthcare benefits software provider serving 313,233 employers, 472 insurance carriers and 53.8 million consumers. Our technology solutions reduce costs, expand market share, ensure compliance and improve consumer satisfaction. Benefitfocus gives a competitive edge to carriers, employers and brokers as they help consumers manage complex decisions in an ever-changing healthcare environment. Benefitfocus can be reached at 843-849-7476 or at www.benefitfocus.com.