ST. LOUIS, Sept. 17 Advanced Business Fulfillment (ABF), the largest and fastest growing outsourcer for healthcare-specific document processing and claims communication, announces that it has recently signed a contract to automate the claims processing function and streamline document distribution capabilities for HealthNet, a regional managed care organization (MCO), serving more than 350,000 covered lives in Kansas City and the surrounding area. "HealthNet is on the cutting edge of healthcare information technology, employing the latest technology available to streamline its business. ABF looks forward to meeting HealthNet's claims communications requirements while working to promote workflow efficiencies and cost savings that will contribute positively to the plan's bottom line,'' states Joe DiMartini, president and CEO of Advanced Business Fulfillment. HealthNet will employ ABF's complete line of e-business tools, online explanations of benefits (EOBs) and claims processing and document distribution services, replacing its outdated printing/mailing software application. ABF will integrate its technology solutions directly into HealthNet's existing data platform, eliminating the need for any custom interface programming. ABF will also redesign the current EOB report and reimbursement check form, reducing the number of printed pages while making the EOB easier to read and understand. Additionally, ABF will increase HealthNet's document security while enhancing mailing verification through ABF's innovative two-dimension bar coding technology. HealthNet offers a full complement of managed care plans, from health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and beyond. All HealthNet managed care models are accessible through a variety of product offerings, including HealthNet-direct commercial products and HealthNet's comprehensive network-driven "lease'' products through insurance carriers or third party administrators (TPAs). "ABF presents us with an opportunity to proactively enhance our processing operations while providing the highest levels of customer service and access to claims,'' states Kevin Sparks, CIO for HealthNet. "ABF will work closely with us to Web-enable our claims documents, engendering confidence within the minds of our members and providers. Our members and providers will be able to view the original outputs as they were created and mailed. With ABF, we will save valuable dollars at all levels of the claim operation, while continually improving our member and provider experience.'' All ABF initiatives are expected to be fully operational with HealthNet by November 1, 2001. Each week, HealthNet will provide an encrypted flat file, developed through the existing claims management system, which will be sent via file transfer protocol (FTP) to ABF for processing. With ABF's advanced techniques, HealthNet should enjoy a 15 to 20 percent reduction in the quantity of mailings. In order to Web-enable HealthNet's claims documents, ABF will work closely with the HealthNet technology team to implement required interfaces on the existing Internet technology platform.