Health Plan Comparison Web Portal Launched With Benefitfocus Technology

CHARLESTON, S.C., May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Benefitfocus and the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC), today announced the launch of an information only health plan comparison portal, named VIRTUAL COMPARE. Using technology developed by Benefitfocus, the portal allows small businesses throughout the State of Maryland to research and compare health plans online, in the same way consumers shop and research other products online.

Aetna, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Coventry Health Care, Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare offer various insurance products on the VIRTUAL COMPARE site. Using a Software as a Service (SaaS) model, Benefitfocus hosts, updates and manages the configuration and presentation of health plans on the VIRTUAL COMPARE portal.

VIRTUAL COMPARE is a tool for employers to find the best plans for their employees. The portal is designed for employers with 2-50 employees to compare side-by-side benefit details, covered services, cost sharing and premiums for health plans offered by Maryland licensed insurers, non-profit health service plans and HMOs. Employers can contact an insurance carrier or broker at any time during the process to assist them with their purchase.

The MHCC Web portal contains carrier contact information and a registry of brokers allowing employers to quickly identify brokers in their area. Brokers can register online at any time by using the Broker Registration feature on VIRTUAL COMPARE.

"The VIRTUAL COMPARE portal is built on the BENEFITFOCUS® Platform, which is designed to adapt to the continuously evolving healthcare landscape," said Shawn Jenkins, President and CEO of Benefitfocus. "VIRTUAL COMPARE gives employers in Maryland a free and user-friendly solution during this time of change. We look forward to providing technology as the State of Maryland continues to innovate, and as state and federal agencies play an increasingly important role in health insurance selection."

About the Maryland Health Care Commission

The Maryland Health Care Commission is an independent regulatory agency whose mission is to plan for health system needs, promote informed decision-making, increase accountability, and improve access in a rapidly changing health care environment by providing timely and accurate information on availability, cost, and quality of services to policy makers, purchasers, providers and the public. The Commission's vision for Maryland is to ensure that informed consumers hold the health care system accountable and have access to affordable and appropriate health care services through programs that serve as models for the nation.

About Benefitfocus

Benefitfocus is the largest healthcare and voluntary benefits software provider in the U.S. with 12,744,071 consumers, 302,593 employers, 59,395 brokers and 3,202 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

Benefitfocus.com, Inc.
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SOURCE Benefitfocus