Charleston, S.C. – Oct. 22, 2009 – Benefitfocus® announced today Benefitfocus eDirect™ Shop & Apply, which provides insurance carriers with an innovative technology solution to quickly reach the individual market with technology that can be easily implemented in 60 days or less. The new solution gives carriers a front-end online tool that offers individual policy customers an educational benefit plan selection experience.

Health plans using eDirect Shop & Apply can promote their individual products and provide consumers with shopping tools, side-by-side comparisons and informative videos to help them understand their plan options. Delivered via Benefitfocus Software as a Service, eDirect Shop & Apply can be implemented quickly, providing health insurance companies with a fast and effective way to capture the growing individual market.

“Healthcare benefits carriers have the opportunity to rise above their competition with eDirect Shop & Apply,” shared Andy Howell, Benefitfocus SVP and general manager for carrier solutions. “With our service model, they can reach their target market faster with little IT involvement while still providing high-quality customer service.”

As a feature of eDirect Shop & Apply, Benefitfocus’ direct-to-consumer insurance application, health plans have the opportunity to provide a unique and user-friendly experience to consumers. eDirect’s advanced branding and private-labeling capabilities allow the user experience to be customized to meet each insurance carrier’s specific needs. These include defining the consumer’s workflow throughout the process as well as controlling the images, text, videos, button styles, and even the placement of sections and navigation options throughout the site.

“Shop & Apply is intuitive and extremely easy to implement,” explained Howell. “This gives our clients an educational and empowering electronic tool for consumers, while still maintaining control of the application process.”

Consumers use the Web-based solution to compare, review and easily apply for individual health insurance policies online. The solution can pre-qualify customers for certain plans by following designated business rules, allowing customers to see only the plans for which they are eligible based on pre-qualification criteria. By answering just a few questions about their needs, consumers can review their projected out-of-pocket costs and decide which is more important to them; for example, a lower monthly payment versus a lower deductible. Once shoppers decide which plan they want, they follow a simple step-by-step interview to complete the application process.

Developed to positively impact the healthcare industry, Benefitfocus solutions build loyalty, increase productivity and support informed healthcare consumers. “eDirect Shop & Apply addresses carriers’ needs to reach individuals in an efficient manner,” stated Howell.