Louisville, Ky. (July 18, 2006) – SHPS, a leading provider of healthcare consumerism solutions, announced today an agreement with Asparity Decision Solutions of Durham, N.C. to integrate Asparity’s decision support tools into SHPS’ online benefits enrollment solution for large and mid-sized employers.

As the trend toward healthcare consumerism becomes increasingly prevalent, employees need clear, easy-to-use decision support tools in order to better understand their options, choose the best health plan for themselves and their family and better navigate the complicated healthcare system.

"Information transparency should be a key component of any organization’s healthcare consumerism strategy, as the increase in choices and products create a greater risk of uncertainty and confusion for consumers,” said Jeffery Lanzet, SHPS’ executive vice president, consumer-driven benefit solutions. “Self-service decision support tools provide consumers with much-needed guidance as they navigate through the complex, often confusing world of healthcare benefits.”

Among the Asparity tools SHPS has added to its enrollment solution include:

• Preference module, where medical plan options are ranked in the order that “best fit” an employee’s personal preferences, helping them weigh the cost, benefit, access and quality attributes of each plan;
• Comparison module, which allows employees to compare medical plans for out-of-pocket costs, access to care, benefit coverage and previous health plan satisfaction;
• Medical cost calculator, allows employees to estimate their medical usage, learn about the true cost of healthcare and consider their projected out-of-pocket costs for themselves and their dependents; and
• Spending account, tax-savings calculator, which allows employees to determine their likely tax savings from use of a flexible spending account, health reimbursement arrangement or health savings account.

The new tools are seamlessly integrated into SHPS’ online applications, allowing participants to access the tools at strategic points throughout the enrollment process. The enhanced applications will be available to current and prospective clients this fall for the 2007 benefits enrollment season.

“Asparity is among the premier providers of decision support tools in the industry with strong, patented technology and significant industry experience. As such, SHPS is confident that the innovation and flexibility offered through our enhanced enrollment solution will help consumers make smarter healthcare decisions, ultimately reducing healthcare costs for them, and their employers,” added Lanzet.

"Integrating Asparity’s decision tools into SHPS’ online enrollment solution will help drive effective consumerism strategies for SHPS’ clients,” said Colleen Murphy, Asparity’s president and chief operating officer. “Not only will it empower consumers to make informed healthcare decisions, but it will also help employers become better healthcare suppliers by providing data on their employees benefit preferences and projected healthcare costs.”

About Asparity Decision Solutions
Asparity provides decision support and data solutions in the areas of employee benefits, operational risk, and workforce talent management to companies in the United States and around the world. Asparity owns patented technology in conjoint analysis and advanced software applications that it delivers directly to corporate clients and through strategic partners. The company is headquartered in Durham, NC with offices in Amarillo, TX. To find out more, please visit www.asparity.com.

About SHPS
SHPS provides a broad range of innovative health management tools, resources and services that empower consumers to make wise healthcare decisions. With comprehensive services that transform consumer health behaviors, SHPS’ integrated delivery system maximizes the value of consumers’ and employers’ healthcare dollars. Among its many clients, SHPS serves large and mid-sized employers, health insurance carriers, third party administrators, Medicare Part D providers and government agencies. The company employs registered nurses and health professionals, employee benefit specialists and IT experts in facilities across the United States. Visit www.shps.com.

For More Information
Sarah Bovine
Director, Corporate Communications
sarah.bovine@shps.com

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