Bloom Health Engages Businesses in Roundtable Discussion of Health Benefits with Local and National Leaders

MINNEAPOLIS, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Bloom Health hosted "Defined Contribution: Powering the Private Exchange," a novel roundtable discussion about the changing landscape and future of health benefits since passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

In partnership with the event sponsors Medica and Mercer, the event brought together more than 120 business leaders, policymakers and health brokers from the Midwest to analyze the new era of health benefits quickly approaching and to share real world best practices.

"Our state has long been an incubator for innovative health care companies generating new ideas, products and services," said Abir Sen, founder and CEO of Bloom Health and host of today's event. "The focus of this event was to create a platform for that same pioneering thought leadership and to foster discussion on ways to redefine the model for employer-sponsored health benefits. We want employers to have a voice in developing effective models for increasing choice and personalization in employee benefits."

The morning's keynote speaker, Regina Herzlinger, is a Nancy R. McPherson Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School and one of the nation's most respected health care analysts. Herzlinger addressed the business leaders with a high-level overview of the evolution of health care benefits, the future of health care and how companies of all sizes can prepare for the changing health care environment.

"Important changes are coming to health care and there's a greater demand for more consumer-focused options in the marketplace," Herzlinger remarked during her presentation. "Health care of the future will be more transparent, including sharing outcomes so consumers can decide which doctor or hospital provides the highest quality of service."

In addition to Herzlinger's keynote address, a panel of local and national industry leaders from Bloom Health, Medica, Mercer, Orion Corporation and U.S. Bank, discussed current challenges to employer-sponsored health benefits, as well as evolving models such as defined contribution and private exchanges, which aim to help employers responsibly predict and plan for health coverage expenses.

"This event encouraged an open dialog on the evolution of health benefits that is starting to unfold under the new health law," said event panelist Patrick Boughey, principal consultant and the office business leader for Mercer's Health and Benefits practice located in the Twin Cities. "This is exactly the dialog that is needed to uncover what employees and employers truly need and how our industry can work together to provide it."

About Bloom Health

Based in Minneapolis, Bloom Health helps employers of all sizes and industries better define and control their health care spending. Bloom then guides employees through the complex world of health insurance, helping them find the right health plan for them and their families with its proprietary search and recommendations engine. Bloom Health was founded in 2009. For more information, visit www.gobloomhealth.com.

SOURCE Bloom Health