Benefits industry product roundup: Alight Solutions, AICPA, Happify Health, Kindur, Oxygen, Vericred and more

Much is happening in the retirement and employee benefits space, with products both new and enhanced being announced. Here’s what we’ve seen of late.

Willis Towers Watson announced the launch of WorkVue, an AI-driven software that lets organizations  redesign the way their work is organized. With WorkVue, employers can analyze work at a task level to reveal reveal independent versus interactive tasks, allowing them to identify which aspects of work can be performed remotely and ensure all types are suitably supported.

Vericred announced the availability of its Card Scanning API, enabling applications to programmatically identify a user’s provider-network from their insurance card. The Card Scanning API aims to help provider search and doctor appointment apps, benefits administration platforms and other digital health companies to develop digital experiences connecting users to their in-network providers.

Talkspace announced the launch of its Digital Employee Assistance Program (Digital EAP). Through Talkspace’s confidential and secure Digital EAP portal, employees will be able to find immediate professional support, including HIPAA-compliant, same-day mental health services. Talkspace will also offer employers management training, critical incident support, and innovative self-care solutions from partners like Happify Health.

Oxygen announced the launch of a new digital banking solution specifically designed to meet the unique needs of freelancers and digital natives. In addition,  it has joined Visa’s Fast Track program and will also be leveraging Visa Direct, Visa’s real-time push payment solution for freelance customers.The new Oxygen mobile app, available nationwide for iOS and Android devices, is free to download in both the App Store and Google Play.

Kindur has launched Silvur, an app dedicated to helping baby boomers reach their retirement goals. Silvur’s all-in-one app offers a suite of interactive tools, advice, and content. Silvur also automatically estimates Medicare costs and Social Security benefits. Kindur has also made available a calculator to estimate Social Security benefits.  Kindur can schedule a free 15 minute call with a retirement advisor.

Healthstat announced the availability of its new virtual mental health solution, Ment4Me, as part of its VirtualCare Platform. Ment4Me’s three core services include Tess, the mental health chatbot, which offers on-demand support; a triage support line with crisis follow-up to connect individuals to appropriate resources, including escalation to a virtual visit with a provider, as needed; and a team of licensed clinical social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists who serve as an extension of existing health center staff that schedule virtual care visits directly on the Ment4Me platform.

Happify Health announced Happify Connect, a new screening and referral hub for employees and health plan members to access mental health support. Based on a clinical assessment and pre-defined triggers, Happify Connect directs individuals to the best available mental health resources. The onboarding covers demographics, employment and relationship status, as well as a clinically-based mental health assessment to help determine the severity of their needs.

The Hackett Group launched a new Performance Diagnostic offering.The diagnostic is designed as a rapid assessment tool to help companies make informed decisions on current and post-pandemic plans across corporate finance, procurement/supply chain, human resources, and information technology. The  tool relies on data captured in The Hackett Group’s industry-leading proprietary benchmarks. The diagnostic can be used to model all selling, general & administrative (SG&A) functions, or individual functions.

Collective Health announced Collective Go, a product designed to help businesses and their workers reduce risk and navigate safer workforce reentry. Collective Go aims to bring an evidence-based, externally-reviewed occupational health protocol underpinning a testing process; clinically-validated or FDA EUA test options through a wide and growing network of certified lab partners; an app with symptom and exposure checking, test status monitoring, and more. Collective Go is anticipated to begin rolling out in June 2020.

Cigna announced Dental Virtual Care. It will be available through Cigna’s network of dental providers who offer teledentistry. The company is also partnering with The TeleDentists, a national virtual care dental provider with more than 300 dentists. Through a video consultation, licensed dentists can triage urgent situations such as pain, infection, and swelling and guide the customer on next steps. If necessary, the dentist will prescribe medications, such as antibiotics and non-narcotic pain relievers. Cigna Dental Virtual Care will be available to dental customers enrolled in Cigna’s employer-sponsored insurance plans at no cost through May 31, 2020.

Benefit Plan Administrators Inc. (BPA) announced the launch of the Self-Funded Business Initiative (SFBI) in which health vendors have come together to deploy a self-funded health care and benefits solution for new groups who are currently fully-insured. Participating organizations Valenz Health, 6 Degrees Health, HealthWallet, ScoutRx, The Phia Group, CieloStar and BPA will collectively roll out the program on May 1. The plan offers deferred or waived service fees for up to three months for eligible member groups following the new business anniversary date. Email SFBI-Marketing@bpatpa.com or call 833.440.7629.

Benefitfocus announced “For You” initiative to support employees of customers who have lost their job in these challenging economic conditions. It launched www.benefitplace.com, a new website that makes accessible a variety of affordable individual and family health plans for employees who have been offered COBRA by their employers and are seeking lower-cost alternatives, as well as a variety of other products and services including health plans, supplemental benefits, employment resources.

The American Institute of CPAs announced AICPA’s 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy website. It offers free tools, articles, calculators, videos and resources, including a financial checkup with its free Budget Analysis Calculator and an ‘Ask the Money Doctor’ section where people can submit their specific personal finance questions to be answered for free by a CPA financial planner.

Alight Solutions launched Alight Well, which provides employees with access to personalized communications, individual and team contests and redeemable rewards. Based on an initial assessment, employees are offered educational resources and coaching that are relevant to their wellbeing goals. Employees can see how their actions relate to total rewards outcomes such as retirement readiness and lower health care costs.