LIMRA Announces Efforts to Standardize Employee Benefit Administration Data Feeds

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 2, 2017—During LIMRA’s 2017 Enrollment Technology Strategy Seminar in Orlando, InAh Chambers, client relationship director, LIMRA Member Relations & Sales, announced the industry’s collaboration to establish common electronic data standards for the transmission of eligibility and –post enrollment data for employee benefits programs.

“Over the past 10 years, more and more U.S. employers are relying on third-party, technology-based benefits administration providers to help them manage their benefits,” said Chambers. “To date, there is no uniform standard to transmit electronic data between employers, their vendors and insurance carriers. As a result, there is an enormous amount of time and resource spent to process incoming data. Collaborating with our members, LIMRA has established a working group to standardize industry practices and develop a solution that will streamline the process.”

The workgroup, established in 2016, consists of group benefit carriers, representing the majority of the employer benefits marketplace. Currently in the second phase of development, LIMRA and members of the workgroup are establishing standardized values and exchange mechanisms for products and services including: life insurance (including group term, whole, universal, etc.), AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, cancer insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, leave management, group legal services, long term care insurance, mini-med products, pet insurance, identity theft and fraud protection.

“Throughout our 100 year history, one of LIMRA’s primary roles has been to help provide industry-wide solutions that will benefit our members,” noted Chambers. “As technology permeates the group benefits business model, LIMRA recognizes the need to re-examine industry practices and update them to align with today’s business environment.”

In 2017, the workgroup will expand to include benefit administration technology companies to help develop the common data feed standards.

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LIMRA, a worldwide research, consulting and professional development organization, is the trusted source of industry knowledge, helping more than 850 insurance and financial services companies in 64 countries. Visit LIMRA at www.limra.com.