bswift, a national leader in software and services for employee benefits administration, today announced that it will work with Microsoft to provide Health Insurance Exchange solutions for both state-sponsored exchanges and private exchanges.

bswift is the technology provider for enrollment and administration of the Utah Health Exchange, one of the first operational state health insurance exchanges in the country. In addition, bswift serves as the enrollment and administration backbone for numerous private exchanges around the country.

The Health Insurance Exchange solutions feature bswift’s state-of-the art exchange software built on Microsoft technology, including Microsoft SQL Server and the Microsoft .Net Framework. Together, bswift and Microsoft offer states and other exchanges a flexible, robust, web-based solution with more than 10 years of benefits administration experience with employers, brokers and consumers.

“bswift is the only company of its kind to have proven technology for a small group state-sponsored exchange,” said bswift CEO Rich Gallun. “In working with exchanges during the past two years, we deepened our exchange technology, core team and understanding of the complexities facing state and private exchanges. The requirements are multifaceted and challenging, especially as defined by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The dynamic market only adds confusion. With Microsoft, we are confident that we bring unique value, technology and expertise to groups launching all kinds of health and benefit exchanges.”

“Microsoft and our partners like bswift are working tirelessly together to provide the architecture necessary to build effective, modern Health Insurance Exchanges,” said Brian Russon, National Practice Leader for Health Insurance Exchange, Microsoft. “When a state chooses Health Insurance Exchange solutions from bswift and Microsoft, its officials can rest assured that our flexible, familiar platform will ultimately save time and money, and allow the state to focus on helping its citizens make the best choice in a health plan.”

Often compared to online travel sites, Health Insurance Exchanges are significantly more complex due to the ongoing administrative nature of the service. Unlike travel sites where buyers complete a one-time transaction, health exchanges must manage enrollment, eligibility, and numerous changes throughout the year in the face of numerous regulatory restrictions.

Health care and benefits marketplace knowledge, coupled with the tools and systems that provide these services in the private sector, are important assets for states and entities building exchanges. Relationships and connectivity with and amongst carriers, brokers, employers, consumers, and external systems are also critical success factors for the practical implementation of new exchanges, especially the SHOP employer-based exchanges defined by PPACA.

In addition to collaborating in sales and marketing to secure new exchange accounts, bswift and Microsoft will work together to ensure that leading technologies are utilized to maximize consumer engagement, to foster connectivity with numerous stakeholders and to streamline administrative processes.

About bswift
Based in Chicago, bswift offers software and services that streamline benefits, HR and payroll administration for employers and public and private exchanges nationwide. bswift’s state-of-the-art cloud-based technology and outsourcing solutions significantly reduce administrative costs and time-consuming paperwork, making life easier for administrators and millions of consumers who enroll in benefits with bswift. For more information, visit www.bswift.com and check out the bswift blog at www.bswift.com/blog.