National Press Release

SAN DIEGO and CONCORD, Calif., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- More than one hundred auto insurance executives and managers, representing several of the top automotive P&C companies attending Mitchell Medical's 2008 Industry Conference held March 17-19 in Monterey, CA were told that auto medical claims are on the brink of major change, beginning July 15, 2009 in Minnesota. After that date, all health care transactions processed in Minnesota must be 100 percent paperless. Group purchasers -- for the first time including auto insurance carriers -- will be required to process medical bills, payments and remittance advice using a standard electronic format.

This landmark legislation affecting the auto insurance industry was enacted as a new section to the Minnesota Health Care Administrative Simplification Act, MN Statutes, section 62J.536, entitled "Uniform Electronic Transactions and Implementation Guide Standards." It was signed into law in May 2007.

A panel of Medical Bill Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) experts participating in Minnesota's transaction standards development process addressed the impact of the new law on auto insurers operations in that state. Panelists included Shelagh Kalland, Director of Provider Relations for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota; Debbie Meisner, Vice President Compliance, Payer Services, Emdeon Business Services; and Don St. Jacques, SVP and COO of Jopari Solutions. Jopari supplies the eBill processing component of Mitchell Medical's industry leading Product Suite.

Tom McCarthy, Executive Vice President of Mitchell and Founder of Mitchell Medical, and Chair of this year's conference, convened the panel to preview Minnesota's administrative cost reduction objectives and the importance of compliance solutions to avoid administrative penalties. Mr. McCarthy said, "Fifteen months to bring compliance systems online is a brief window. Our job at this conference was apprising industry executives of the business risks as well as opportunities presented by this important legislation. We're excited to bring our integrated AutoExpress(TM), which is powered by Jopari, to the market. The AutoExpress solution which combines eBilling, AutoPay(TM) payment services, and other ancillary capabilities, together with our Medical Bill Review solutions, allows us to immediately assist our customers in meeting the regulatory requirements in Minnesota.

Panelists said the 7/15/09 compliance deadline is inflexible. "There is no chance Minnesota will delay or derail the effective date for exchanging health care administrative transactions using a standard electronic format," warned Ms. Meisner. "The train is leaving the station. Minnesota's Department of Health responsible for administering this program will not allow waivers or deferred implementations. Payers need solutions quickly."

Commented Ms. Kalland: "Minnesota BC/BS worked four years to get electronic transactions fully operational. These are complex systems. Starting from scratch is difficult if a payer hasn't already integrated the ability to exchange electronic health care transactions into its claims workflow, or established connectivity with its provider base."

Mr. St Jacques said, "The good news is timely compliance is not a major hurdle, but delayed action is not recommended. In Texas, for example, where eBill regulations went live January 1 this year, many carriers and providers waited until the last minute. They had to request Department of Insurance waivers, and are now scrambling to find solutions because the waiver period is running out."

"Failure to comply is not a good situation for a carrier," added Mr. St Jacques. "Alternatively, a business partner solution, such as Mitchell Medical's AutoExpress solution, can solve the problem. Jopari's eBill processing platform and national medical network connectivity are part of Mitchell Medical's total solution. The Jopari solution incorporates Minnesota's transaction exchange requirements, and is in production."

Mr. St Jacques advised the attendees, "Minnesota's time frame probably rules out home-grown solutions. Medical bill automation and critical mass connectivity with the medical community involves a set of core competencies most auto insurers probably do not want to develop internally. Regardless of strategy, however, early adopters will avoid compliance risks."

Mr. McCarthy added further that, "This product gives day-1 auto medical claim connectivity with provider groups in Minnesota and nationally, including 60-70% of emergency rooms, hospitals, provider networks and ancillary medical practices."

Mr. McCarthy added, "Mitchell Medical's acquisition of Fair Isaac's bill review division broadens the scope of our overall solution, benefiting multi- line auto insurers who need wrap around eBill solutions that enable workers' compensation eBill compliance in Texas and states like California where electronic transaction regulations are pending and being developed."

Mitchell Medical's AutoExpress compliance solution for Minnesota anticipates industry-wide conversion to electronic transactions to control auto medical claims processing expense. A range of connectivity options for processing 837 claims, attachments and remittance are available -- low-tech, batch submission, system integration and online direct data entry, plus paper conversion where necessary. Flexible connectivity options give auto insurers the ability to maximize eBill penetration with health care segments across their markets.

About Mitchell Medical

The Mitchell Medical division within Mitchell International (http://www.mitchell.com) provides the Insurance P&C market with a variety of technology, database and service solutions with one goal in mind -- enable our clients to process their automotive medical claims in a timely, accurate and fair manner. Mitchell Medical has a 20-year track record of delivering high- quality products and services to auto insurance carriers, service providers and TPAs, allowing them to analyze and reprice first- and third-party provider and hospital bills. Mitchell Medical currently serves several of the top 5 automotive P&C companies and many of the top 20. Mitchell International is a leading provider of information, workflow, and performance management solutions to the automotive insurance claims industry, serving carriers, collision repair facilities, and other commercial participants in the physical damage and auto-related medical claims markets.

About Jopari Solutions, Inc.

Jopari Solutions, Inc. (http://www.jopari.com) supplies integrated eBill compliance and payment solutions to workers' compensation, auto, and health insurance industry Payers. Jopari significantly improves the technology Payers use to manage bills and disbursements, substantially reducing associated expenses. Jopari services enable insurance Payers to comply fully with regulatory requirements, including eBill and ePay jurisdictional initiatives, and HIPAA. Insurance and other industry Payers take advantage of JopariPay(TM) to permanently downsize processing and labor costs, increase operational competitiveness and realize immediate returns on investment. For more information, please call 800.903.7799.

SOURCE Jopari Solutions, Inc.