Venture Offers Empowerment and Choice in Medical Coverage

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/-- eHealthInsurance.com today announced the launch of the first web site that enables consumers to access a range of health insurance and provider information, obtain free rate quotes, complete enrollment applications, and purchase health insurance online.

eHealthInsurance.com brings the capabilities and efficiencies of e-commerce to the healthcare industry, which is the largest sector in the U.S. economy. Healthcare spending in the U.S. exceeds $1 trillion annually, and, according to recent government projections, will more than double within ten years to $2.1 trillion in 2007.

"eHealthInsurance.com offers consumers access to the leading plans at the very best prices, and they can enroll on-line quickly and confidentially," said Dave Dias, General Manager of eHealthInsurance.com. "The site gives people an easy way to purchase health insurance with no sales pressure or bias, just information."

Consumers log onto the web site at / and after inputting their zip code and age, review and compare materials from the major health insurance offerings. Then they can make an informed decision about purchasing the insurance that best fits their needs. "I am very bullish regarding the use of the Internet to involve the consumer in the healthcare decision making process," said Michael Knepper, Vice President of Punk, Ziegel and Co., a Wall Street investment firm focused on healthcare information.

When the consumer is ready to enroll in a plan, they input their particular information and wait for approval. That approval can take less than 24 hours with health plans holding an electronic link. That electronic link can also cut health plan costs of data entry, errors and rework, postage and materials, filing, and other costs. "Dollars saved through e-commerce can be used to improve healthcare," said Robert Fahlman, President and CEO of Omni Healthcare.

eHealthInsurance.com, the leader in online sales of health insurance, is located in California and is privately held. Purchasers of individual insurance include consultants, entrepreneurs, service industry professionals (e.g. real estate agents), recent graduates, and employees of firms that do not offer insurance or reimburse employee purchases. Today, the site offers insurance to the California marketplace, with plans to cover the entire U.S. in 1999. Please direct inquiries to mailto:info@eHealthInsurance.com.