EHNAC Launches Industry’s Only Accreditation Program for Third-Party Administrators

Allied Benefit Systems, Inc. Becomes First to be Accredited with HNAP-TPA Designation

FARMINGTON, Conn. – April 13, 2009 – The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC), a non-profit standards development organization and accrediting body, today introduced both the industry’s first accreditation program for third-party administrators (TPA) and the first TPA firm to secure accreditation, Allied Benefit Systems, Inc., based in Chicago.

HNAP-TPA, the new Healthcare Network Accreditation Program was designed exclusively for thirdparty administrators, companies that process claims and manage employee benefit plans for employers or other self-insured entities. In February 2009, EHNAC formally accepted Allied as an HNAP-TPA-accredited organization.

“HNAP-TPA is the only way for a TPA to show that it’s physically protecting sensitive information, maintaining privacy controls and managing data appropriately,” says Mitchell Wilneff, Allied’s president. “To be the first accredited company is really an honor. It’s also quite an achievement for our people, who have put so much time and energy into the day-by-day effort to build a secure, reliable and stable operation.”

The HNAP-TPA accreditation, in effect for two years, demonstrates that Allied meets or exceeds criteria spanning privacy and confidentiality; technical performance; business practices; physical, human and administrative resources; and security. EHNAC reviews organizations’ accommodation of industry-established standards and compliance with all relevant HIPAA regulations.

“HNAP-TPA accreditation is a tremendous accomplishment for Allied,” says Lee Barrett, executive director of EHNAC. “They have invested significantly in the integrity of their operation. This achievement confirms that Allied is a health network of the highest caliber and that they are pioneers in their industry. We expect that other TPAs will follow their lead, and we look forward to working with them.”

The accreditation process comprises an intensive self-assessment as well as an evaluation by an onsite EHNAC consultant, who reviews the candidate organization’s operation first hand.

“Our self-assessment was a tremendous effort, and we learned a lot about our company going through the process,” says Wilneff. “EHNAC’s site review generated some valuable recommendations, too. We always try to learn from any type of audit, and, having gone through HNAP-TPA accreditation, we’re a better company.”

About Allied Benefit Systems, Inc.
Allied is a national healthcare solutions company that is dedicated to managing innovative products and services that help employers control their healthcare expenses. Allied provides a fully integrated suite of medical, dental, FSA, COBRA, pharmacy, and government compliance solutions to clients across the United States.

Allied leverages world class technology to provide employees the analytics needed to turn information into action. Allied assists clients in navigating challenging economic times guided by the belief that the value derived from information transparency will drive all strategic healthcare business decisions in the future.

About EHNAC
The Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) is a voluntary, self-governing standards development organization (SDO) established to develop standard criteria and accredit organizations that electronically exchange healthcare data. These entities include electronic health networks, payers, financial services firms and e-prescribing solution providers.

EHNAC was founded in 1993 and is a tax-exempt 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization. Guided by peer evaluation, the EHNAC accreditation process promotes quality service, innovation, cooperation and open competition in healthcare. To learn more, visit www.ehnac.org or contact info@ehnac.org.