Entrust Extends Relationship with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Q2 contract to provide additional 400,000 Entrust TruePass digital identities for Web portal
03 Sep 2002
DALLAS- Entrust, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENTU), a leading global provider of enhanced Internet security solutions and services, today announced that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is expanding its relationship with Entrust by purchasing an additional 400,000 digital identities. The purchase will enable additional users to securely access information through the Michigan Blues' member-self-service station Web portal.
"Online security and privacy are our top priorities as we continue to roll out functions for our Web portal," said Richard T. Cole, Michigan Blues senior vice president of corporate communications. "This purchase enables us to conduct more of our business online in a secure environment. Another benefit is that the technology meets standards for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly called HIPAA."
"As the health care industry continues to move its business processes and transactions online, enhanced security is critical and will help forge the trust that customers require when handling their health care needs," said Bill Conner, chairman, CEO and president of Entrust.
The Michigan Blues' member self service station at www.bcbsm.com provides local Michigan Blues members with a secure online environment in which they can perform a variety of activities. Members can update address and telephone numbers, view membership status of family members carried on a contract, and add details about supplemental coverage. The company is planning a variety of other Web portal functions for use by physicians, hospitals and others in the future.
Entrust TruePass? provides digital identification technology, including digital certificate and signature capabilities, to help guarantee the security of personal health information. In addition, these capabilities help health plans meet HIPAA standards by generating a secure audit trail and ensure "non-repudiation," or making sure that electronic information or transactions cannot be disowned.
About BCBSM
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is a nonprofit corporation and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The company is one of the largest Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in the nation, providing or administering health care benefits to 4.8 million members. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.bcbsm.com.