The bswift Story
Jack bnimble. Jack bswift.
Since our inception in 1996, bswift's goal has been to use technology and information to simplify the administration of health care, reduce costs and empower consumers. In the beginning, we were known as Platinum Healthcare, a company that set out to change the world and transform healthcare by creating the first web-based CDH (Consumer-Driven Health) plan. In the process, we discovered that there was great market demand for an online benefits enrollment/administration system, so we built one. It worked pretty darn well. In fact, version 1.0 of our benefits enrollment system was a finalist out of 15,000 entrants in Microsoft's 1999 e-commerce system competition. Not bad, huh? So the company ran with it, changed its name to "bswift" and landed its first employer clients.
Today, bswift has millions of consumers on its system and offers software and services that streamline HR and benefits administration.
Our Team
People make the difference.
Michael is a noted healthcare industry strategist and visionary with over 25 years of experience in the field. Currently, he serves as Chairman of Sg2, a healthcare information firm that Michael founded.
Rich’s 20 years of experience in the healthcare, benefits, and information technology sectors include multiple responsibilities in marketing, sales, account management, and operations. He co-founded bswift and led its growth into one of the nation’s leaders in benefits administration and technology. Prior to bswift,
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Ray’s 20 years of experience in insurance and benefits include various executive positions. Ray founded and built several benefits and healthcare companies, including Plaines Health Networks, a PPO, and KeyLink Group, a third party administrator. KeyLink was sold to National Employee Benefits, Inc. (NEBI), and Ray
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Dave is a global financial executive with experience in manufacturing, services, and technology companies dedicated to improving operations and creating value. He was most recently CFO of Torex Retail US, a global leader in retail software and hardware technology solutions. He also was responsible for implementing US
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Chip has over 20 years of experience in business development, marketing and strategy with leading companies such as JP Morgan, Citibank, Sachs Group and Dimension Data (formerly Proxicom). His in-depth knowledge of the insurance and healthcare industries stems from his consulting experience with healthcare and
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Don brings important strategic and operational leadership to bswift’s Exchange Solutions division. Prior to joining bswift, Don served as vice president and partner for FirstWest Benefit Solutions, a leading employee benefit consulting firm based in Utah. At FirstWest, Don co-authored the white paper used by Utah’s legislative
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Sue has over 16 years of project and client management experience in the benefits administration industry. Her experience includes positions held at Cyborg Systems, where she served as a consultant and corporate trainer for their integrated HR, benefit and payroll administration software package. Sue then
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Jan leads bswift’s Client Services – Resellers department, bringing a wealth of knowledge in the health insurance industry with over 20 years of experience working with national health care carriers, including Humana and a large regional carrier in the Midwest, and large national TPAs. She has held senior management
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Brett leads the management of bswift technology and EDI services leaning on his 18 years of experience growing technology businesses. Founder of Big Game Software, Brett built a company that provided high-volume transaction, data analysis, real-time data processing and content management products to the
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Josh has over 15 years of experience in HR strategy, benefits technology solutions, and business development with companies including Aon Hewitt and Towers Watson. Prior to bswift, Josh was the Senior Vice President of Aon Hewitt’s Human Resources Outsourcing Practice, where he focused on new client solutions and sales. Josh holds a BA from Albion College.
Want to be
a "bswift-er"?
bswift prides itself on its fun, friendly and smart staff that goes the extra mile to get the job done right. We offer the excitement and opportunity of a young, fast-growing company with the stability of an experienced management team, a blue-chip client base, and a proven track record of success.
9–5er's from the cast of "The Office" need not apply. We're looking for hard- working, self-starting, dynamic individuals who are up to the challenge of working in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment. The reward is a fun, flexible and creative environment with ample opportunity for professional and personal growth.
View Openings →
Partners
We choose our friends wisely.
bswift has partnered with a select group of companies in order to offer you a wide range of products and services that complement our own. Not only do we think these companies have unique value propositions, but they also provide bswift clients with special price breaks and/or integrated system technology.
Our OneTouch Partners are best-in-class companies that we have teamed with on a strategic basis to broaden the bswift offering. This means that in addition to seamless integration with our system, there are no additional setup fees or administrative fees required to utilize the bswift — OneTouch Partner integrated solution.
HR, Benefits, and Payroll Reference
Analysis & Tools
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FSA, HSA, HRA Solutions
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COBRA, FSA, HRA, HSA Solutions
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Wellness Solutions
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Seamless Life / EOI Process
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Payroll Services
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Payroll Services
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Caregiver Matchmaking Website
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Seamless Life / Voluntary Benefit Enrollment
About
Seamless Life / Voluntary Benefit Enrollment
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Wellness Solutions
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News & Press
Check out the buzz.
“Four Myths about Private Health-Care Exchanges.” Don Garlitz, Executive Director of bswift Exchange Solutions, debunks the top four myths surrounding private health exchanges and what employers of 50 or more employees plan to do in 2014.
"Despite CMS delay, CT moves forward with HIX SHOP," an article about Access Health CT's decision to utilize HealthPass and bswift's private exchange services and technology for small businesses throughout Connecticut.
"Connecticut Partners with HealthPass to Set the Standard for State Health Exchanges," discusses Access Health CT's announcement to use HealthPass New York and bswift to build the front-end administrative platform for its Small Business Health Options (SHOP).
“Connecticut health care exchange gets providers,” reports on Access Health CT’s recent decision to use HealthPass and bswift to help run the Connecticut health care exchange.
“HealthPass goes SHOP-ing in Connecticut,” an article about Access Health CT’s announcement to use HealthPass New York and bswift to provide the front-end and administrative platform for its small-business exchange.
"Connecticut to proceed with small business health insurance exchange," reports on Access Health CT's selection of HealthPass and bswift to operate its SHOP exchange, scheduled to open in October 2013.
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"Good Design Is Good Business. Just Ask Morningstar." catches up with two speakers from bswift Summit 2012, Bevin Desmond, President of International Operations and Global Human Resources, Morningstar, and Barbara Armstrong, Principal, Kahler Slater.
"Embrace Exchange," an article about the new opportunities with exchanges. Joe Thomas, Vice President of Sales at bswift, comments: "We're working with numerous CIAB members to help them create their own private exchanges that allow them to provide competitive solutions to what the public exchanges are going to be offering."
"Chicago grows HIT jobs," an article about bswift adding 100 jobs to its Chicago offices over the next three years, garnering praise from Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
"bswift to add 100 jobs downtown in next 3 years," an article about Chicago Mayor Emanuel's recent announcement on bswift's anticipated job growth and partnership with Skills for Chicagoland's Future.
"10 exchange considerations." In this month's Employee Benefit Adviser, bswift CEO Rich Gallun addresses ten often overlooked complexities behind health insurance exchange technology.
"Former HHS Sec. Mike Leavitt hawks new breed of health exchange," announces Leavitt Partners' "Exchange in a Box" pitch for states rushing to meet tight federal deadlines. bswift, among a few other big-name software and health companies, have committed to develop the technology.
"Q&A with HealthPass NY: Decade-old small biz HIX prepares for 2014 market," a recent interview with Vince Ashton, HealthPass New York CEO, discusses its past, future, and bswift’s role as the provider for exchange technology and services: “HealthPass is positioning itself for growth in the small group market, and is contracting with the Chicago-based benefits tech firm bswift to provide the online retail platform.”
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"HealthPass New York Selects bswift to Provide Exchange Technology, Services.” Matt Dunning reports on HealthPass New York’s recent decision to use bswift for its exchange technology and services, including reporting tools, dashboards and alerts for employers; shopping tools, decision and enrollment support for employees; and analytics, benchmarking and access to aggregated group data, as well as employer billing, collection and broker commission management tools for brokers.
"Employees will need to be educated about benefits eligibility," an article about the importance of educating employees about their benefits eligibility. Don Garlitz, Executive Director, bswift Exchange Solutions, comments: "I don't know if the tracking is going to be any more cumbersome than it has been in the past, but now employers have a real incentive to make sure they are tracking correctly. And there's going to be a bit more scrutiny. Employers will have to be ready for audits...the tools are out there in the marketplace."
"Businesses prepare for health insurance shift," an article covering the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health's 13th annual symposium on September 6, 2012. Don Garlitz, Executive Director, bswift Exchange Solutions, spoke at the event, discussing how health insurance exchanges will shape the future of American health care and what employers can do to help slow the relentless growth of health plan costs.
"NAHU 2012: Health Insurance Exchanges Are Coming," an article covering the National Association of Health Underwriters' annual convention. Don Garlitz, Executive Director, bswift Exchange Solutions, predicts that many states will set up exchanges no matter what the Supreme Court or Congress do about PPACA.
"Private Exchanges and WBEs Say They Can Drive More Enrollment to State Exchanges," an article on how Web-based entities (WBEs) like bswift will not only need to offer states powerful online shopping tools, but also demonstrate a strategy for capturing market share and directing it to the exchange.
"Utah’s health-care reform," reports on the Utah Health Exchange's "snazzy web portal" powered by bswift, and plans for the future.
"Exchanges Seen Playing Larger Role In Insurance Market, However Court Rules," reports on how online exchanges will play an increasingly large role in the health insurance market, regardless of whether the Supreme Court upholds the health reform law’s constitutionality.
"The false alarm of ‘employer dumping,'" an article by Don Garlitz, Executive Director, bswift Exchange Solutions on whether employers will terminate their group health care plans when key provisions of the health care reform law take effect.
"Supreme Court opens day one of PPACA hearings," an article on the Supreme Court's first of three days hearing oral arguments on the constitutionality of the individual mandate provision of PPACA. Don Garlitz, Executive Director, bswift Exchange Solutions, comments: “Large employers are hoping that the employer mandate gets wiped out. They don’t want to have to deal with it.”
"Private exchanges mull ACA role," reports on how much ACA responsibility private exchanges will likely take on. Don Garlitz, Executive Director, bswift Exchange Solutions, weighs in: “The [ACA] requires the public exchange to have a board and to have a certain kind of structure — I’m not sure that a private, for-profit company would meet any of those standards, but you can set up sort of a shell.”
"Weighing the pros and cons of outsourcing," cites bswift's 2011 Wellness & Benefits Administration Benchmarking Study and stresses the importance of employing a fully-automated benefits administration system.
"Minnesota GOP Wrestles With Health Exchange Questions," reports on Minnesota Republicans' November 3, 2011 forum to determine the best stance towards state-based insurance exchanges. bswift's Executive Director of Exchange Solutions, Don Garlitz, presented on the success of the Utah Health Exchange as a model for Minnesota and other states.
"Latest thinking on wellness programs," an article reporting on the increasing emphasis employers are putting on incentives.
"HR software firm doubles space in Loop move," announces bswift's headquarters office move to 10 S. Riverside Plaza to accomodate rapid growth.
"Utah guv charts steady course for health reform," reports on Utah Gov. Gary Herbert's September 30, 2011 health reform summit. Herbert says that the time for adding large employers to the Utah Health Exchange, powered by bswift, is now.
"Wellness programs need incentives, automation," reports on the findings from bswift’s "2011 Wellness and Benefits Administration Benchmarking Study." The article highlights the importance of incentives to increase employee participation in wellness programs.
"Clinging to paper-based administration hinders potential wellness savings," reports on the findings from bswift's "2011 Wellness and Benefits Administration Benchmarking Study." The article highlights how employers still lag in automating HR processes.
"ITA Spotlight: bswift," an August 25, 2011 Illinois Technology Association interview with bswift CEO Rich Gallun.
"Utah's Health Insurance Experiment Built Around Small Businesses," an August 2, 2011 PBS NewsHour video news story about how the Utah Health Exchange is helping small businesses. The clip features the bswift technology powering the exchange.
"Utah Health Exchange Growing as More Small Businesses Sign On," an article reporting that state experts predict 10-fold growth in the number of companies using the exchange by year end.
"Red-State Utah's Health Exchange Model for Colorado," an article providing a comprehensive look at Utah's unique approach that has put it ahead of the curve in meeting the mandate by the Affordable Care Act.
“Reform Policy News: High-Risk Pools, Exchanges, IPAB,” a round-up article featuring a link to a Politico Pro article with bswift CEO Rich Gallun entitled “Utah Exchange: Low-Cost Model Or Loss Leader?”
“A Closer Look: Utah's Health Insurance Exchange,” a Q & A with Patty Conner, the new director of Utah's health exchange, on how it's progressing.
“Health Care Overhaul Depends on States’ Insurance Exchanges,” featuring the State of Utah Health Exchange powered by bswift.
“Medicare Can Learn Valuable Lessons from the Private Sector,” a Podcast interview with bswift CEO Rich Gallun.
“The Financial Impact of PPACA’s ‘Dependent Eligibility’ Provision on Mid-Sized and Large Employers,” an article by bswift CEO Rich Gallun.
“Health Care Reform: An Overview of the New Federal Health Care Bill and How It Will Likely Impact Employers Over the Next Several Years,” featuring the transcript of the 2010 bswift Client Conference keynote address presented by Michael O. Leavitt.
“Dependent Eligibility, Affordability Provisions of PPACA May Prove More Costly than Originally Estimated, Analysis Finds,” featuring the “bswift Special Report on the Impact of Health Reform on Employers.”
“Report: Costs of PPACA Exceed Previous Estimates,” featuring the “bswift Special Report on the Impact of Health Reform on Employers.”
“The Rise of HR Automation Puts Employees in the Driver’s Seat,” an article by bswift CEO Rich Gallun.
“10 Questions to Ask When Deciding on a Benefits Solution,” an article outlining critical questions to ask before choosing a benefits enrollment and administration vendor.
“Lean and Green: Benefits Automation System Unearths More Value from ERP,” an article detailing how Trek Bikes used bswift to do away with manual processes of moving employee information between payroll and benefits.
“Largest Employee Benefit Information Systems,” bswift ranked #1 in number of installations for second year in a row.
“Largest Employee Benefit Information Systems,” bswift ranked #1 in number of installations with more than double the number of the next ranked company.
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Fun at Work
At bswift, we take fun very seriously. In fact, "More Fun" is one of our core corporate values (along with "Higher Standards" and "Greater Accountability"). Why? Because we firmly believe that engaging employees in a fun and appreciative workplace not only boosts morale and strengthens company culture, but it can also increase productivity and impact the bottom line.
50 Favorite Ways to Have Fun at Work
Here are some of our favorite ideas for ways to have fun at work. Some of these ideas come from bswift's Chief Fun Officer Patrick McGarrity, and many come from our buddy Scott Christopher who wrote a great book called "The Levity Effect: Why It Pays to Lighten Up." Be sure to check out Scott's book at www.levityeffect.com.
- Weekly Jeopardy: at noon once a week, gather in a conference or cubical for a couple rounds of Jeopardy (use a Jeopardy day-to-day desk calendar). The highest scorer takes the Jeopardy trophy for the week and gets to choose the first category the following week.
- Wii Bowling Tournament: create teams that allow people from different departments to get to know each other. Crown a "King Pin" and "Queen Pin" and award gift certificates prizes.
- Kids Come Into Work Day: to draw on the whiteboard, play Wii and join everyone for pizza at lunch. Employees take turns being "Camp Counselor" for an hour.
- Summer Kickball After Work: in a nearby park or parking lot. No need for formal leagues or uniforms just show up and feel like a kid again.
- Quarterly Potluck Lunch: with a different fun theme each time. Charge $3 and give the proceeds to a local charity.
- Jeans Day for Charity: sell tickets for $2 each that allow the purchaser to wear jeans to work on a specified day of the week. For example at bswift, each ticket is good for wearing jeans on Wednesdays during April. Proceeds go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
- Michael Jackson Trivia Contest: the winner gets tickets to a local event or movie or a copy of "This Is It" on DVD.
- Executives Breakfast: upon meeting a specified departmental or company goal, get the executives to put on an apron and start frying up the bacon and flipping pancakes.
- Cubicle Decoration Contest: choose a theme and award prizes for the best cubicle decorations.
- Paint a Break Room with Chalkboard Paint: this idea comes from Whole Foods where employees can doodle on the walls and one store team leader even writes up her weekly updates rather than sending out a memo. (+) MORE
- Surprise Movie Outings: the bswift CEO called a mandatory all-company meeting on a Friday afternoon and arranged for temps to answer the phones. At the meeting, he announced that he was taking everyone to see "Friday Night Lights" at a nearby movie theater. It was an inspiring movie and a good way to "rally the troops" during a stressful business season.
- Pumpkin Carving Contest: buy some pumpkins and some carving knives. Everyone votes and the winner gets a Starbucks' gift card. Extra points for those who carve the likeness of a member of the management team.
- Cinco de Mayo Party: have margaritas and a piata. Nothing relieves stress or gets more laughs that whacking a donkey with a bat.
- Ethnic Food Night: what started as a group of employees going out for Korean BBQ one night has expanded to organized outings to different ethnic food restaurants in Chicago often with a company "expert" along to explain the offerings. It's fun to a have multi-cultural employee population!
- Sitcom Lunches: weekly gatherings to watch favorite shows such as "30 Rock" or "The Office" over lunch.
- Massage Therapy Breaks: during bswift's busy season, we bring in a couple of massage therapists for one or two days and anyone can sign up for a 15 minute massage.
- Anniversary Gifts: at the bswift annual company kick-off meeting/holiday party in January, we announce the names of all employees celebrating their 5th anniversary, describe what special talents they have brought to the table and give them their choice of gifts: Apple iPod, Patagonia jacket, etc.
- Video Monitors: bswift has flat screen TV's throughout the office that rotate pictures from recent fun events, announce upcoming events, post "Fun Facts" and more.
- Wall of Fame: create a Wall of Fame decorated with pictures of team members, thank-you notes from clients and other feel-good postings.
- Bowling Night: to kick off the beginning a busy season or to celebrate reaching a goal, do a group bowling night with pizza, beer and a good jukebox.
- 2 Truths & 1 Lie: to start a meeting with a bang, ask everyone to come up with two truths about themselves and one lie. People must guess which one is the lie.
- Oh Say Can You See: start a meeting with the singing of the national anthem and give a prize to anyone who can sing it without missing a word (or missing the high note).
- Joke of the Day: have department members take turns telling a "Joke of the Day" at meetings.
- Song of the Day: to be blasted out at a set time in the afternoon. Try to make it describe what's going on that day, special events or just an upbeat song to fire people up.
- Trading Places: have the CEO or other high-level executive switch places with an employee for a day and cover the story in an employee newsletter or better yet on video.
- Homemade Food Contests: chili cook-offs, cookie bake-offs, etc.
- Office Book Club: that meets weekly or monthly over lunch.
- Rock On!: create an office rock band. At Bain & Company, the "Bain Band " performs at least once a year during company meetings and other special events.
- Karaoke Lunch: there's nothing funnier than watching your boss belt out "My Sharona." Have a talent contest with contestants and judges and give the winners gift cards for a free lunch.
- Ice Cream Man!: in the summer, bring in an ice cream truck or shaved ice truck onsite.
- Tailgate Party: who needs a stadium? Start the grill up in the parking lot on a Friday afternoon.
- The Great Outdoors: get a "fresh" perspective by holding a meeting outside or at a local park.
- Texas Hold 'Em: hold a tournament with refreshments and prizes on-site or at someone's house.
- Third Thursday: every 3rd Thursday of the month, go to a local watering hole to celebrate achievements, anniversaries or just making it through another month.
- Family Ice Skating: rent an hour at a local rink and invite employees and their families to come hit the ice.
- Roller Hockey: hold weekly roller hockey games in the company parking lot.
- Local Runs/Walks: encourage everyone to participate together in local runs and walks and reward participants with post-race refreshments or a picnic. This works to promote corporate wellness programs as well as have fun and develop camaraderie.
- Live Music: put a piano in the break room for whoever wants to play a few tunes or start a sing-a-long.
- Scrabble Breaks: have a game that goes on throughout the day(s).
- Trivia Breaks or Trivia Night: including questions about company products and history.This is a great way to have fun as well as make sure that folks know their stuff.
- Brainstorming Money Machine: to get the creative juices flowing in a brainstorming session, write down ideas on a white board then have everyone vote on their favorite 3 ideas. The winners get one minute in a rented money machines filled with some bills. (You don't have to actually use the ideas, but it rewards people for getting involved).
- Give Yourself a Hand: on a deadline day, hand out plastic hand-clappers at the end of the day and have everyone give themselves a hand for a job well done.
- Mini Golf: set up a mini golf course in the office.
- Hire a Comedian: Instead of using the CEO as emcee at your next company event, hire a professional comedian.
- Car Wash: get the executive team to hold a car wash and scrub every employee's car in the lot.
- Trading Places II: Have employees elect a new manager from their ranks to take the reins for a day. The existing manager does that employee's work for the day.
- Spread the Fun: be sure to share "fun " ideas company wide by covering events in your company newsletter or on your company Web site.
- Scavenger Hunt: create teams and send them on a scavenger hunt around town. The hunt ends at a local bar or restaurant for drinks and prizes.
- Take Me Out to the Ball Game: you might not be able to take employees to opening day, but you can celebrate by bringing in a hot dog cart for lunch or organizing a potluck with hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, peanuts, cotton candy etc.
- Get Organized: create a Fun Committee within departments and/or companywide and rotate membership. This is the best way to get people involved and to ensure that the "fun" is really fun and not just another set of top-down directives.
Enter to win the 2013 bswift Fun at Work Award!
Send us an email at fun@bswift.com and tell us why the company you’re nominating is the most fun place to work. Photo and video submissions are encouraged.
Please submit your nomination by Friday, April 26. Winners will be announced at Summit 2013 on May 14.
