IBM Smarter Cities Software To Play A Key Role In The Creation Of Minnesota's Health Insurance Exchange

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Jul 23, 2012, 09:00 ET

ARMONK, N.Y., July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that it will support the design and development of a statewide health insurance exchange in the State of Minnesota. As a subcontractor to MAXIMUS, the IBM Curam solution will serve as the platform for the health insurance exchange.

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The IBM Curam solution, part of IBM's Smarter Cities portfolio, was designed to meet the unique requirements of government administered social programs. With the help of this platform, the State can improve statewide health insurance options and enable citizens to determine eligibility for expanded Medicaid coverage and tax credits for various insurance plans. The solution incorporates new income standards and manages the capture and storage of IRS income data, streamlining the eligibility and verification process for citizens.

In addition to Minnesota's current initiative, IBM's integrated eligibility platform is capable of supporting any or all of the state's health and human services programs in the future.

"This contract is a significant milestone in the design and development of a Minnesota health insurance exchange," said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. "We can now move forward on developing the technology backbone of the exchange, a user friendly tool that will help more than 1.2 million Minnesotans choose the quality coverage they need at a price they can afford."

IBM acquired Curam Software in December 2011, aimed at helping cities and governments boost efficiency and provide better service to citizens. Curam Software is used in more than 80 government agency projects around the world in health and human services, workforce services, and social security organizations. This opportunity follows a series of IBM contract awards for the facilitation of other statewide health insurance exchanges.

"Improving social services takes cooperation and a commitment to an open exchange of ideas and information," said John Hearne, general manager, Curam Solutions, IBM. "IBM's proven, interactive approach to delivering access to social programs will make it easier for Minnesota to deliver services to citizens and engage them in their own health decision making."

To support the design and development of the Minnesota health insurance exchange, IBM will team with MAXIMUS, the prime contractor leading the project; Connecture, Inc., which will support the enrollment and health insurance sales function; and EngagePoint (formerly known as Consumer Health Technologies, Inc.), which will deliver financial management capabilities.

About IBM
IBM's Curam solutions are designed to meet the unique requirements of health and human services, workforce services and social security programs. As a part of IBM's Smarter Cities portfolio, the software is used in more than 80 government agency projects around the world to improve the accessibility and efficiency of social programs for citizens.

For more information, visit:
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/industry/social-programs/
http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/smarter_cities/overview/index.html?re=spf

Contact:

Marie Hill, IBM
571-249-7786
[email protected]

Nancy Kaplan, IBM
914-714-2299
[email protected]

SOURCE IBM