Health Insurance Innovation Is Possible
Former U. S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson References Liazon on Larry King Live
Buffalo, NY (Vocus) August 21, 2009
As the debate on how to provide health insurance coverage (http://www. liazon. com) for Americans continues, Liazon’s innovative approach to affordable benefits for employers and employees alike continues to receive validation from small employers and their employees, chambers of commerce – the traditional sources of affordable health insurance for small - and mid-size employers -- associations, and, now, the former U. S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson.
During last night’s interview and debate with Elizabeth Edwards on Larry King Live (8/19/09), the former secretary referenced Liazon as an example of how private insurers could address the task of providing affordable coverage for Americans (http://www. liazon. com). What is Liazon?
Liazon is a consumer-centric employee benefits company (http://www. liazon. com) that helps small business owners control benefits costs, increase employee satisfaction with their benefits, and eliminate the burden of benefits administration. Since opening its doors for business in early 2008 (the concept was developed in 2007), Liazon has won the hearts and minds of some 1,100 small employers (2-1,000 employees) -- many of which were poised to drop their benefits prior to learning about Liazon.
“Liazon was created to enable small business owners and their employees to overcome all the obstacles to offering, selecting, managing, and using affordable insurance coverage across the benefits spectrum,” stated Tim Godzich, Liazon co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “The Liazon model stands as proof that it is possible for all Americans to have access to high-quality, affordable insurance without constraining selection,” he concluded.
Liazon provides small business owners with a total benefits management solution:
offer employees a Fortune 500-level array of health, financial, and protection plans empower employees to become informed benefits consumers with the tools to create, manage, and use personalized benefits portfolios address double-digit benefits cost inflation and create predictable long-term benefits budget with annual defined contribution strategy off-load all benefits administration
Specifically, Liazon provides small business employees with access to (with no participation restrictions or requirements) the following:
multiple health plans, ranging from traditional co-pay plans to HSA-qualified consumer-driven options a health savings account (http://www. liazon. com) (HSA) for those who choose an HSA-qualified health plan several dental options with multiple tiers of coverage and no participation requirements vision, long-term care, life, disability, and other supplemental insurance policies personalized guidance from a team of professionals via Liazon’s award-winning Bright Choices online technology, a 365-day/year consumer advocacy Helpline, and/or in-person meeting
Liazon’s Bright Choices online consumer portal provides all the tools, tutorials, and transactions to help enrollees become more effective benefits consumers, and automates enrollment, eligibility, and billing. In 2008, Consumer Health World named Liazon’s Bright Choices portal “Best Website Stimulating Consumer Engagement” from a field of 70 competitors.
Liazon is working with well-known carriers across the benefits spectrum, including well-known health insurance carriers: United Healthcare, Univera Healthcare, Anthem, MetLife, Allstate, and Health Allies.
Liazon was created by Tim Godzich, Ashok Subramanian, and Alan Cohen. Tim is a former co-founder and senior vice president of Definity Health, the company that pioneered the concept of consumer-driven health care with the development of the nation’s first consumer-driven health plan. Definity was acquired by UnitedHealth Group in December 2004 for $305 million. Ashok is a former associate principal and leader of McKinsey and Company’s healthcare, consumer products, and private equity practices. Alan is the former chief executive officer and co-founder of Online Benefits, the nation’s largest benefits administration and communication firm (5,000 employer clients; +1.3 million employees). Online Benefits was sold to A. D.A. M. in April 2006 for $30 million.
About Liazon
Liazon is a consumer-centric employee benefits company that helps small business owners control benefits costs, increase employee satisfaction with their benefits, and eliminate the burden of benefits administration. Liazon offers small businesses a benefits “marketplace” of 15 categories of benefits, with multiple plans per category; its award-winning Bright ChoicesTM portal for tools, tutorials, and transactions; full-service consumer support/advocacy from licensed specialists via its Bright ChoicesTM online technology, 365-day/year consumer advocacy Helpline, and/or in-person meeting; and automated benefits administration, covering enrollment, billing and reconciliation, carrier feeds, and payroll reports. Since opening its doors for business in early 2008, Liazon has partnered with 1,100 small employers (2-1,000 employees) nationwide to provide benefits to 7,000 employees.
Contact
Robin Schoen
Robin Schoen Public Relations
215.504.2122
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