Assurant Health Now Offers Payment Advocacy Services to Assurant Health Access(SM) Customers

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Assurant Health announced today that it will be offering a payment advocacy service to all its Assurant Health Access(SM) customers who have more than $500 in out-of-pocket expenses related to their healthcare.  This service is available through Assurant Health's agreement with Health Payment Advocates (HPA), a healthcare financial advocacy firm, at no additional cost to its customers.

The advocacy service helps Assurant Health Access customers understand their financial liability and assists them in managing and reducing their out-of-pocket medical expenses that exceed $500, regardless of the reason. Assurant Health Access is Assurant Health's convenient, low-cost option for individuals who want coverage for routine medical care expenses, as well as cost sharing on many major expenses, without large deductibles.

When customers use the HPA services, experienced professionals will serve as their advocates with medical providers to find solutions acceptable to both parties. These potential resolutions can include discounts on the amount owed or enrolling the customer in a payment plan or charity care program.

"We are always looking for new ways to differentiate our offerings and provide additional services for customers," said Scott Krienke, senior vice president, product and marketing at Assurant Health. "At a time when plan members are becoming responsible for an increasingly large share of their health care expenses, we feel it is important to provide them with tools and services to help manage those expenses.

"We conducted a pilot of the HPA services across our entire book of business over the last year, and the results exceeded our expectations.  That's why we're now offering this service to individuals enrolled in our Assurant Health Access product to help them manage their exposure if they exceed coverage limits and have high out-of-pocket expenses."

"We welcome the opportunity to continue and expand our relationship with Assurant Health," said Terry Harris, president of HPA. "The recession, healthcare reform and continued cost-shifting have all caused hardships for many healthcare consumers."  

About Assurant Health

Assurant Health has been in business since 1892 and is the brand name for products underwritten and issued by Time Insurance Company, John Alden Life Insurance Company and Union Security Insurance Company. Together, these three underwriting companies provide health insurance coverage to people nationwide. Each underwriting company is financially responsible for its own insurance products. Primary products include individual medical, small group and short-term health insurance products, as well as non-insurance products and consumer-choice products, such as Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement Arrangements. Assurant Health is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., with operations offices in Minnesota, Idaho and Florida, as well as sales offices across the country. The Assurant Health website is www.assuranthealth.com.

About Health Payment Advocates, LLC

Health Payment Advocates (HPA) is dedicated to helping plan members understand and minimize their healthcare related out-of-pocket expenses.   HPA works with the payer, TPA, broker and employer group community to provide significant administrative savings for the plan and administrator. For more information, please visit the firm's web site at www.healthpaymentadvocates.com.

SOURCE Assurant Health