Great-West Life signs agreement with TELUS Health Solutions to offer the
first national eClaims exchange service for extended healthcare providers

WINNIPEG , Feb. 5, 2010 /CNW/ - Great-West Life, a leading group benefits provider in Canada , announced today that the Company has signed an agreement with TELUS Health Solutions for the development and implementation of the first national eClaims exchange service for extended healthcare providers across Canada .

Once implemented the extended healthcare provider community will be able to submit electronic payment reimbursement requests directly to Great-West Life right at their point of service, offering significantly increased convenience and flexibility for plan members while reducing the environmental impact of paper claims.

"We are committed to continually advancing the customer service experience, and being a leader in the innovative use of technology for our customers," said Mike Schwartz , Senior Vice-President of Group Benefits at Great-West Life. "We are building new, environmentally friendly claims technology that will enable the delivery of enhanced customer service capabilities in terms of convenience and efficiency, and we are pleased to work with TELUS Health Solutions to bring this important new service to our group insurance customers and their employees."

The provider eClaims service will offer extended healthcare providers the convenience of electronic point-of-sale claim service currently available for dental and drug services. The initial release, planned for the second half of 2010, will focus on selected providers such as physiotherapists, chiropractors and visioncare providers. It is expected that provider adoption rates will grow over time as this innovative service is broadened to include the wider range of healthcare providers.

About Great-West Life

Founded in Winnipeg in 1891, Great-West Life has long been a leader in the group benefits marketplace. The company has established this position over many decades, through its commitment to quality customer services and through a comprehensive selection of cost-effective benefits plans. Great-West Life offers effective benefit solutions for large and small employee groups of any size. The company serves the needs of more than 33,000 plan sponsors and their plan members and handles 50 million group health and dental claims for its plan members and their dependents each year.

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