Press Releases

VPA, inc. offers online absence and disability management service capabilities with VPAWeb

May 2001

Calabasas, California – Ease of usability and 24-hour access to critical claim information are the driving forces behind VPA's launch of VPAweb (www.VPAweb.com), a comprehensive, internet-based user interface designed to serve as a central resource for claimants and clients.

     now have secured access to detailed claim inquiry capabilities and eligibility information, as well as links to sites regarding disability, regulations and related information. Client's employees have access to up-to-date information on benefit-related questions, are able to file claims online, check the status and history of existing claims, and peruse information on health and specific disability conditions at their convenience.

     "It's all about improving our offerings and streamlining the claims process," said Jack Bredehorn, chief executive officer at VPA. "VPAweb is the next evolution in our customer service strategy as it relates to disability benefits. It places important claimant information where it belongs: in the claimant's hands whenever they need it."

     Melinda Trussell, director of Human Resources for Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., is not only a client, she's also a claimant. "We began offering the service this year as an added benefit to employees, and it's been great," she said. "I've used it personally, and just being able to see the status of checks and when they were mailed was extremely helpful."

     An early mover in bringing telephony access to the claims management process, VPA's e-service capabilities complement its existing call center and interactive voice response (IVR) technologies, enhancing VPA's already industry - best claims processing and administration platform. VPAweb ensures that the entire filing process is simplified, communication is improved, filing errors are reduced and both claimants and clients are able to interface directly with VPA e-customer service representatives. Additional capabilities, such as client activity reporting and online physician certifications and extensions, will become available in subsequent rollouts, planned for the beginning of July 2001.

     Chris Florez, a driver for Pepsi Bottling Group, used the service recently when he was on disability. He remarked, "I used the site to check payment status and doctor updates, and found it very easy to use. It saved me time as well because of the accessibility - I didn't have to wait on hold for someone to give me the information I was searching for - it was already online."

About VPA, inc.

     VPA Inc., headquartered in Calabasas, California, helps employers solve the challenges associated with administering and managing complex absence and disability programs, including FMLA, short-term, long-term, and state disability benefit plans. VPA's clients include PepsiCo, Hewlett-Packard, Tricon Global Restaurants, Agilent Technologies, and Charles Schwab. VPA's expertise and technology, including web intake and inquiry, provide a complete solution to improve productivity, control costs, and reduce the administrative burden for self-insured employers.

 
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