Hayley Kaslar, USWeb/CKS, 310/664-5029 or
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USWeb/CKS Unveils Expanded Kaiser Permanente California Site Aimed at Cost Reduction, Enhanced Customer Service for HMO's Small Business Brokers and Customers
Self-Service Quote Management System Spearheads Cost-Containment Initiative from Managed Health Care Leader
SANTA MONICA, Calif. - July 14, 1999 - Managed health care leader Kaiser Permanente California and USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB), the leading Internet and marketing communications firm, today launched a major expansion of the Kaiser Permanente California web site aimed at reducing health care administration costs and enhancing customer service for the HMO leader's small business clients.
Located at http://www.ca.kaiserpermanente.org/, the expanded, secure site features a small business quote management system that serves as a sales tool for Kaiser Permanente's statewide network of more than 4,000 independent brokers. The system provides brokers with online quotes on new group health insurance policies in real-time, ending a laborious and time-consuming paper-based process.
Until now, small businesses interested in purchasing health care plans were required to provide detailed information to Kaiser Permanente's brokers or in-house staff, who then processed the data, obtained a quote, and forwarded that quote to the client -- a procedure that often required up to eight days to complete. With up to 80 quotes per broker per month, the previous system required significant support staff and often caused processing delays, with a corresponding effect on closing rates and sales costs.
"With this site expansion, we can now present our 4,000-plus brokers with a way in which to calculate quotations and deliver a report to a potential client within a matter of minutes," said Dean Kemp, director of Kaiser Permanente California's Small Business Unit. "Processing inquiries have long required major staff commitments on our part and by our brokers. Because brokers often represent a number of health care agencies, this self-service approach will greatly strengthen broker relations with Kaiser Permanente."
"Due in part to reduced broker support costs, increased broker loyalty and productivity, as well as strengthened relations with small businesses, Kaiser Permanente California expects to recoup several times its investment within the first year," said Mike Kacaba, USWeb/CKS partner and head of the firm's health care practice. "Because we've developed a cost-effective area within the existing site, this self-service application is immediately usable and effective for brokers and small businesses alike."
Brokers are issued a user name and password to enter the site. After the user has entered the three required fields per applicant in the online census form, a quote including costs on all of the various plans offered is calculated. Within seconds, the company has a report with a breakdown of cost per person for a number of different plans. In addition to the Broker functionality, Kaiser Permanente also provides prospective small business customers with direct access to online quotes and product information through their public web site.
Additionally, USWeb/CKS developed a contribution worksheet that allows a user to analyze employee out-of-pocket expenses depending upon the employer contributions. Brokers and small businesses with Kaiser Permanente can also download various member forms from Kaiser Permanente's new form library. The expanded site also links to Kaiser Permanente California's home page and includes detailed information on hospital locations and descriptions, co-payment data, benefits and plan offerings.
The USWeb/CKS healthcare practice, based in Santa Monica, California, has a long history of service to the industry, developing online solutions for clients ranging from Kaiser Permanente and Blue Cross Blue Shield to Transamerica and Amgen.
About USWeb/CKS
USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB) is a professional services firm that works with companies to define strategies and implement innovative ways to build their businesses by combining the expertise of strategy, Internet technology and marketing communications. USWeb/CKS helps clients differentiate their products and services, strengthen customer relationships, leverage human capital and improve business efficiency in the digital economy. With more than 2,800 professionals, USWeb/CKS has helped hundreds of businesses advance their marketing communications programs as well as traditional IT and Internet systems - everything from brand development and advertising to business process automation and e-commerce solutions. The Company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Additional information about USWeb/CKS is available by calling 408/987-3200.