Highmark Inc. Reaches ePlatform Milestone

With Kinsley Construction, insurer now has 500,000 members using Internet-based health product

August 6, 2007

CAMP HILL, PA — With the recent addition of Kinsley Construction Company, based in York, Pa., Highmark Inc. has reached a milestone of 500,000 members participating in ePlatform, the health insurer's Internet-based health product that enables employers and members to handle nearly every aspect of their coverage administration online.

Since its introduction in 2005, growing numbers of group customers and individual members have been taking advantage of ePlatform, which reduces administrative costs and increases efficiency by taking the paperwork out of administering a customer's health coverage.

"Through ePlatform, we have changed the way we do business with our customers," said Michael Fiaschetti, senior vice president of Highmark's Mid-Atlantic region. "We have given employers the opportunity to enjoy total online convenience by integrating all of our electronic capabilities. As a result, we are providing improved service for our group customers and members and more simplified administration."

Among the key ePlatform components is a wide range of benefit options. Although employers can choose from many different products and benefit designs, limiting the choices to particular benefits makes claims processing more efficient. Highmark also provides enrollment information to employer groups in an electronic format, and groups provide enrollment data electronically to Highmark. In addition, employers are billed electronically.

"The online services provided through ePatform allow us to save time and more efficiently manage our health care coverage," said Wendy Ebersole, human resources director for Kinsley Construction, a construction management and full-service general contracting firm, which has 2,800 employees. "In addition, it gives our employees a convenient way to handle their coverage and make informed, appropriate care decisions."

Highmark doesn't charge for ePlatform. The online capabilities of ePlatform help group customers reduce their administrative costs through the streamlining of their benefits coverage.

Highmark Inc.
As one of the leading health insurers in Pennsylvania, Highmark Inc.'s mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives. Based in Pittsburgh, Highmark serves 4.6 million people through the company's health care benefits business.

Highmark contributes millions of dollars to help keep quality health care programs affordable and to support community-based programs that work to improve people's health. Highmark exerts an enormous economic impact throughout Pennsylvania. A recent study states that Highmark's positive impact exceeded $2.5 billion. The company provides the resources to give its members a greater hand in their health.

Highmark Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.