National Press Release

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- A Medical Banking Tool Kit for Employers, unveiled at the Seventh National Medical Banking Institute, (March 11-13, 2009, Nashville, TN), is the product of a broad cross-industry group of over 100 top level executives among healthcare providers, associations, health plans, banking, government and employers predominantly in the automotive industry; over a period of three years.

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Registration for the Institute is available at: www.mbproject.org. The Institute provides thought leadership on best practices in medical banking and convenes commerce, government and academia to advance a common policy and educational platform.

"This is a landmark achievement for the medical banking industry," said John Casillas, Founding Director of The Medical Banking Project, a pioneering authority in the nexus of banking and healthcare systems. "The Tool Kit contains a new 'Standards Panel' developed by our members that aggregates best practices in the emerging industry of medical banking."

"If you are not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem!" said J. Scot Sharland, Executive Director for the 1,100 employer-strong, Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG). "Given the scope and complexity of the challenge and urgent need, it was imperative that we assemble the brightest and the best from automotive, banking and healthcare, check ego's at the door, and commit ourselves to developing common tools to help companies manage their financial recovery and provide more cost-effective coverage for working families. We are proud to have collaborated on the Medical Banking Project and will be promoting use of the Tool Kit to all of our members."

J. Scot Sharland will speak during the panel, as well as representatives from Wachovia-Wells Fargo, who participated in its production, and The LeapFrog Group, comprised of Fortune 100 firms. The panel will discuss how banks can unite with employers to optimize human capital in the area of improved claims administration, delivery of consumer health IT tools and services and general education about how employees can achieve healthier lifestyles.

"It's important to recognize the contributions of Joe Fortuna, MD, who we worked with to pioneer the vision of a banking-employer platform to improve healthcare, and Jim Paterson who spearheaded MBProject's Joint Task Group for this effort," said Casillas. Both individuals served in leadership capacities on AIAG's Healthcare Steering Committee and participated on the MBProject team.

"The Tool Kit underscores how MBProject operates," stressed Casillas, "by testing the fate of medical banking in the marketplace. Our programs aren't accompanied by legislative fat but are tried and proven in the operations of everyday healthcare providers and health plans. They represent a growing body of evidence and best practices by a diverse stakeholder membership base at MBProject who have one common objective - to improve healthcare."

    Many thanks to our Sponsors!

    EDUCATIONAL GRANTOR: BANCTEC
    Platinum Sponsor: WAUSAU Financial Systems
    Gold Sponsors: The Bank of New York Mellon, ACS
    Silver Sponsors: Metavante, Systemware, Thelma-US, SSI Group, TransUnion
    Media Sponsor: HealthcareFinanceNews

About AIAG

The AIAG is a globally recognized organization founded in 1982 by a group of visionary executives from Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors. The membership has grown to include prominent automotive OEM and suppliers such as Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Caterpillar Tractor, John Deere Corporation, International Truck Corporation, Daimler, PACCAR and others. Their purpose: To provide members an open forum to cooperate in developing and promoting solutions that enhances the prosperity of the automotive industry.

AIAG members play a unique role in the development of new technologies and the standards that govern their usage. Under the auspices of AIAG, volunteers from all layers of the supply chain work together to resolve issues critical to the automotive supply chain. For more information, please visit the organization's Web site at www.aiag.org.

About the Medical Banking Project

MBProject is a pioneering authority in the convergence of banking and health care systems to improve cost, quality and access to care. The firm defined HIPAA policy issues related to banking and coined the term "medical banking" now in general use throughout the industry. Through educational forums we showcase visionary ideas and initiatives that inform policy, commerce and academia. Supported by a diverse constituency, MBProject conducts research and outreach that defines and facilitates medical banking, and this supports our mission to convert digital savings into charitable resources. Medical banking improves health care programs for consumers, care givers, health plans and employers. For more information please visit: www.mbproject.org.

(C) Copyright 2001-2009 The Medical Banking Project. All rights reserved. Medical banking is a term of art coined by the Medical Banking Project, a.k.a. MBProject.

SOURCE AIAG