America's Benefit Specialist June 2023

PRODUCT NEWS

Matrix’s patented workforce productivity tool, Absence Radar, conveys this information to line managers through just-in time notifications as well as a unique calendar interface. Paired with Matrixlink, the company’s proprietary data integration product, this time-sensitive data is then shared seamlessly with each employer’s human capital management system. Visit www.RelianceMatrix.com for more information.

recently announced the launch of Pan-American Accident & Health, a brand for the accident and health portfolio of products and administrative and agency support offered in the United States. Pan-American Accident & Health offers a diversified portfo lio of group and individual supplemental accident and health products and is proficient at working with a wide variety of distribution partners, including traditional retail brokers, general agents, and managing general underwriters, as well as non-traditional digital platforms. For more information, visit palig.com.

ZELIS LAUNCHES REFERENCE-BASED PRICING SOLUTION

Zelis, a healthcare technology company modernizing the healthcare financial experience for all, has announced the launch of its open-access pricing solution. Self-funded em ployers, which represent 65% of U.S. workers, often struggle to sustain the cost of traditional health plan premiums, and existing solutions are often fragmented and have not deliv ered a satisfactory experience for members in accessing and navigating care. To overcome these challenges, third-party administrators need to bring alternative strategies to stabilize claims costs, improve provider accountability related to rising fees, and free patients from network limitations. Zelis Open Access Pricing is a reference-based pricing solu tion that empowers self-insured employers and third-party administrators to put their members’ experience first while also stabilizing rising healthcare costs. The new solution allows clients to set maximum reim bursement amounts using pre-defined prices which allows for more predictable cost forecasting. At the same time, Zelis Open Access Pricing employs a member-advocacy team that provides pre-service member education, navigation support, provider contracting support, balance-bill resolution and legal escalation support to ensure seamless interactions among payers, providers and members. The technology-en abled solution includes modeling and analytics, contract management, and performance reporting, as well as a price and provider transparency application to drive member adoption. Open Access Pricing gives members the freedom to choose their preferred healthcare providers, and offers fair, established pricing benchmarks that keep medical expenses under control. “TPAs and self-funded groups want reference-based pricing for lower claims costs, configurable options, more predictable healthcare cost forecasting, and more,” said Rick Ellsworth, SVP, GM Payer Compass at Zelis. “We are excited to bring to market a fully integrated solution that fits their needs and enhances the experience for their members.” To learn more, visit www.zelis.com.

RELIANCE MATRIX INTRODUCES TEXT BACK TECHNOLOGY TO ITS CLAIM- MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

Reliance Matrix, a provider of employee benefits solutions and technology-enabled absence and productivity services, has launched Text Back technology into its integrated claim experience across all solutions and services. This innovation allows employees to easily confirm or change their return- to-work status through text-messaging, enhancing the employee experience and rapidly updating employee infor mation across proprietary Matrix platforms as well as client HCM systems. The return-to-work process is one of the most important phases of any employee leave, for both the employee and the employer. As a best practice, Reliance Matrix absence-man agement specialists proactively reach out five days prior to the employee’s scheduled return to confirm the date and other important information. Historically, this important touchpoint took the form of a phone call and, as such, was subject to delays from missed calls and voicemail. “In research jointly conducted with some of our largest employer clients, we confirmed what I think we can all agree on: Few of us are willing to answer a call from an unidentified number on our mobile phone,” said Mark Marsters, president of Matrix Absence Management and Chief Operating Officer of Reliance Matrix. “The resulting communication delay actually grows and expands, like ripples in a pond, resulting in data gaps and even missed deadlines. Our new Text Back feature resolves that issue, making it safe and intuitive for the employee to provide necessary information in real time. That data is then immediately available to managers and HR teams so that vital staffing decisions can be made accordingly.” With Text Back, employees can quickly confirm their RTW date, and indicate whether they are returning full-time and full-duty, by responding to a simple text inquiry. Once con firmed, all integrated systems are updated so employers stay informed real-time on the status of their workforce. Reliance

10 ABS | benefitspecialistmagazine.com