Insurance provider keeps tech innovation at a premium

20.02.2007
Health insurance provider, Health Benefits Association (HBA), will slash its operating costs by half a million dollars over the next five years by standardizing its software systems.

The goal is to keep premiums among the lowest in the industry throughout the year by keeping operational costs to a minimum and utilizing an innovative computer program.

The computer program is part of a joint project with Australian-based software developer, Mergilent.

HBA's chief information officer (CIO), Peter Powell, said the private health insurer is looking at innovative ways to improve services that provide value and minimize the impact on premiums or reductions in benefits.

"We always aim to give our customers the best service possible at an affordable price, and standardizing HBA's software systems is another way we achieve this," Powell said.

With more than one million members nationally a key function of HBA's service is the ability to efficiently capture and secure customer information.