New Internet Tool Gives Employers Secure Access to Health Insurance Data
Medical Mutual of Ohio is offering secure Internet access to health insurance information for its group insurance customers with 200 or more employees or plan members. The insurer says the service will save human resource and employee benefits managers time and expense associated with managing health care programs.
Employers will be able to access "Claimslink," a health insurance information system, through the insurer's Web site (www.mmoh.com).
The system was previously accessible only through special computers.
"We wanted to take advantage of Internet technology and design a system that would allow benefits managers instant access to important health benefits information," said Ken Sidon, chief information officer of Medical Mutual, based in Cleveland, Ohio.
The company said it has built safeguards into the new online system to protect the privacy and confidentiality of plan members. To gain access, users are required to have a client certificate installed on their computer and a password (automatically changed every 20 days) that is only valid on the PC with the corresponding certificate. Before any information is transmitted, it is scrambled using an encryption technique, which prevents data from being tapped or changed en route. The company also offers application security, allowing managers to limit access to claims information to only authorized users.
In light of recent publicity surrounding a spate of Internet hacking incidents, Medical Mutual said it has also installed a firewall to prevent its internal networks from being invaded by hackers.
The Claimslink service isn't new. Developed in 1990, Claimslink initially provided HR departments access to the insurer's claims system through a special personal computer loaded with telecommunications software that averaged $10,000 per installation site. Medical Mutual also paid monthly fees for a lease telephone line at each site to connect to the system.
The high cost and time required to install the program limited the number of groups Medical Mutual could provide access to the system, the company said.
The Internet has eased the process. To access Claimslink, employers must install a digital certificate on the user's computer -- at no cost – and must have an Internet connection. Because the expense of providing the service is so much lower, Medical Mutual said it can provide data access to more human resource and benefit managers.
Benefit managers no longer have to contact Medical Mutual's customer service department to get information. For example, benefit managers can request replacement ID cards for members; Claimslink will display a temporary card on screen that can be printed and used until a permanent ID card arrives.
Other information available through the system includes: policyholder and dependent data, benefits details, claims status, selection of primary care physicians, authorizations and referrals, details about network doctors and hospitals, and the addition or removal of dependents covered under an existing policy.
While Claimslink was developed for employers, Medical Mutual is working on making the system useful to medical providers. Upon completion, network physicians will be able to check patient eligibility and claims status to prevent duplicate billing, the company said.