Starmark - Visitor - Starmark Launches Online Healthcare Decision Support Tools for Consumers

Starmark Launches Online Healthcare Decision Support Tools for Consumers

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Jan. 11, 2006 — Star Marketing and Administration, Inc. (Starmark), along with Trustmark Life Insurance Company, recently launched Healthy Foundations, an integrated online portal available through the Starmark website to help consumers make smart, informed choices about their healthcare. The goal is to actively engage consumers in their healthcare decisions, which may in turn lower their medical costs and create a “healthier” bottom line for Starmark’s small group clients.

Healthy Foundations is available with all health plans administered by Starmark and incorporates four separate elements: the health insurance plan, online health information and consumer decision support tools, communication guidance to educate employees and help them become more informed healthcare consumers, and preferred banking relationships for those consumers with a health savings account (HSA).

“The Healthy Foundations suite of tools is about educating people, giving them more control and supporting them as they take an active role in managing their health,” said Warren Schreier, Starmark President and CEO. “This is especially beneficial for those employees with a consumer-directed health plan, who now have more responsibility in making these key healthcare decisions.”

The tools include in-depth health content, personalized online condition managers, fitness and nutrition guidance, a personal health record and more. Other tools enable consumers to search for lower-cost prescription and over-the-counter alternatives for drugs that treat common chronic conditions, as well as find in- and out-of-network cost estimates for specific health conditions and related treatments.

For example, someone with diabetes or high blood pressure can research his or her condition, work with an online health coach to set up a monitoring program, check prices of alternative drugs and estimate the cost of services -- empowering that person to take an active role in managing their healthcare decisions.

As part of Healthy Foundations, Starmark has also developed preferred relationships with banking partners to simplify health savings account setup and management for employers and employees alike. This will enable real-time access to HSA account information and is planned for a second quarter launch.

To view an online demo of the Healthy Foundations online decision support tools, select Healthy Foundations from the Visitor section of the Starmark website at www.starmarkinc.com. For more information about any health plan or ancillary product in the Starmark portfolio, call 800.522.1246, ext. 33057, or visit www.starmarkinc.com.

About Starmark
Starmark specializes in small group healthcare benefits and serves businesses with two to 50 employees through a network of managing general agents. All plans are fully insured by Trustmark Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Trustmark Mutual Holding Company. Through its subsidiaries and operating divisions, Trustmark Mutual Holding Company offers a broad line of life, medical, managed care, dental, disability, critical illness, and benefit administration products and services to groups and individuals. Trustmark Mutual Holding Company has assets of more than $1.9 billion and administers more than $3 billion in health and life benefits annually. Additional information can be found at www.starmarkinc.com.

[back to list]