Minneapolis, MN, November 16, 2015 – - CieloStar, a leading nationwide healthcare benefits distribution and payment technology company, announced today that the Purchasing Alliance Solutions’ private benefits exchange, GeorgiaPIE®, is now offering a broad array of employee benefits for employers in Georgia.  GeorgiaPIE includes medical insurance plans, some with unique funding arrangements, and supplemental insurance products, as well as administrative and compliance products to assist and protect business owners.

As more employers and their benefits advisors work to comply with the Affordable Care Act and manage costs associated with employee benefits, they are turning to firms like Purchasing Alliance Solutions, a Roswell, Georgia-based aggregator of innovative benefits solutions designed to create packaged cost savings and administrative ease for employers.  Private benefits exchanges are becoming a popular way to deliver employee benefits and ease administrative burdens on employers. CieloStar is known for its easy-to-navigate technology platform that provides a one-stop online marketplace for employee benefits.

“Purchasing Alliance Solutions’ GeorgiaPIE® is a unique and invaluable private benefits exchange option for employers who are looking for flexibility, security and transparency in their benefits offerings,” said Paul Walther, Chief Marketing Officer at Cielostar.  “Add to that the trusted relationship brokers and businesses have with Purchasing Alliance Solutions and you’ve got a win-win for employers and their benefits advisors.”

According to Jeff Fishback, President at Purchasing Alliance Solutions,” GeorgiaPIE® is a true “Professional Insurance Exchange” that encourages consumers to work with “professional” advisors and brokers whose daily insurance experience can mean the difference between selection of the best product or one not-so-good.  GeorgiaPIE® features a pro-business “free market” approach that includes choice, competitive pricing, automation and efficiency.”

“Cost transparency, choice, ease of use and savings are critical factors for all businesses right now,” Walther added. “We’re proud to partner with Purchasing Alliance Solutions, a forward thinking, innovative company.”  Together, CieloStar and Purchasing Alliance Solutions are playing a key role in helping employers and their advisors navigate the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

ABOUT CIELOSTAR:

CieloStar has been helping employers and employees across the country navigate the ever-changing world of benefits since 1988. The company’s expanding suite of products and services includes high-tech, high-touch SaaS based solutions, sophisticated decision support technology, private exchanges, enrollment solutions, mobile and web-enabled technology, health and wellness tools, bill consolidation and provider payment solutions. CieloStar, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN is privately held, employee owned. Visit www.cielostar.com for more information.

ABOUT PURCHASING ALLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.:

Purchasing Alliance Solutions (PAS) is a solutions provider who partners with local insurance brokers, Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations to supply their clients and members with access to a wide range of medical insurance, wellness assistance, financial security protections, personal-choice health and lifestyle benefits and business management solutions. These solutions are integrated into its innovative GeorgiaPIE® professional insurance exchange portfolio and delivered from a professional insurance broker in local communities. This consumer-centered partnership approach to a broad spectrum of insurance and financial needs gives employers, employees and individuals their own “recipe” for success in meeting one’s own unique needs.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Paul Walther, Chief Marketing Officer
Phone: 612-436-2721
Email: Paul.Walther@Cielostar.com

Minneapolis, MN, March 25, 2015 – - CieloStar, a leading nationwide healthcare benefit distribution, private health exchange and payment technology company, announced today that it has partnered with Worksite Benefit Services to extend the private healthcare exchange concept. The “Worksite Benefit Services Private Exchange” will offer an exclusive pricing arrangement that allows Worksite Benefit Services to expand their self-service enrollment capabilities and add carrier connectivity and aggregated carrier billing to their list of services at a fraction of the cost of providing these services by other means.

“The WBS partnership with CieloStar will allow WBS to provide even more tools for administration of employee enrollment and communications,” said William Mehus, Executive Chairman of Cielostar. “Our partnership with WBS now adds CieloStar’s BenefitReady® program and our reliable technology to their offerings to employers in the most cost-effective way possible.”

The CieloStar suite of services and tools will complement Worksite Benefit Services’ strong employee benefits and employee communications services with online portals for employers and employees, and create integration in employer benefit programs.

“Human Resources professionals will appreciate the benefits portal and the ease with which they and their employees can manage the enrollment process,” added Mehus. “Employees will have the ability to manage all information related to dependents and beneficiaries, as well as access a ‘Knowledge Base’ menu of client-specific links and forms.” Mehus noted that Cielostar’s BenefitReady® platform facilitates the collection, management, processing, and transfer of all the pertinent data that is typically involved with benefits administration.

ABOUT CIELOSTAR:

CieloStar has been helping employers and employees across the country navigate the ever-changing world of benefits since 1988. The company’s expanding suite of products and services includes high-tech, high-touch SaaS based solutions, sophisticated decision support technology, private exchanges, enrollment solutions, mobile and web-enabled technology, health and wellness tools, bill consolidation and provider payment solutions. CieloStar, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN is privately held, employee owned. Visit www.cielostar.com for more information.

ABOUT WORKSITE BENEFIT SERVICES:

Worksite Benefit Services, Inc. (WBS) has been a leading provider of custom employee benefit services  communications, enrollment, technology and voluntary benefits services since 2002. Specializing in outsourced benefits management solutions for companies large and small, WBS helps employers and employees manage their ever-changing benefits related challenges by developing and executing strategies designed to improve the enrollment process and ensure that employees fully understand and value their benefit options. WBS is privately held and located in Birmingham, AL. Visit www.worksitebenefitservices.com for more information.

CieloStar is known for its easy-to-navigate technology platform that provides a one-stop online marketplace for health and supplemental insurance coverage. “CieloStar is pleased to be working with Meadowbrook to create this unique private health exchange,” said Bill Mehus, Executive Chairman of CieloStar. “Employers in Minnesota will now have an affordable, customizable option for their employees.”

Studies show that by 2018 more individuals will be using private health exchange than any of the public exchanges available. This option allows employers to comply with the Affordable Care Act and provide employees with an integrated and efficient benefit selection process. CieloStar’s BenefitReady® platform facilitates the collection, management, processing, and transfer of all the pertinent data that is typically involved with benefits administration.

“This new private exchange gives employers the flexibility, security and transparency that they’ve been looking for,” added Mehus. “Employers in Minnesota will now have a solid defined contribution option that will help them control costs, improve options and add certainty and predictability to their business planning.” Mehus noted that reputation of Meadowbook and their history of providing their clients with top-level services made a partnership with them an easy decision.

CieloStar is one of the first companies nationally to set up and successfully run private exchanges for employers. As employers look to comply with the Affordable Care Act and move to a defined contribution plan, the expertise and experience of CieloStar are unmatched.

ABOUT CIELOSTAR:

CieloStar has been helping employers and employees across the country navigate the ever-changing world of benefits since 1988. The company’s expanding suite of products and services includes high-tech, high-touch SaaS based solutions, sophisticated decision support technology, private exchanges, enrollment solutions, mobile and web-enabled technology, health and wellness tools, bill consolidation and provider payment solutions. CieloStar, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN is privately held, employee owned. Visit www.cielostar.com for more information.

ABOUT MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP

Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., based in Southfield, Michigan, is a leader in the specialty program management market. Meadowbrook includes several agencies, claims and loss prevention facilities, self-insured management organizations and six property and casualty insurance underwriting companies. Meadowbrook has twenty-eight locations in the United States. Meadowbrook is a risk management organization, specializing in specialty risk management solutions for agents, professional and trade associations, and small to medium-sized insureds. Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MIG”. For further information, please visit Meadowbrook’s corporate web site at: http://www.meadowbrook.com.

CieloStar Contact: Paul Walther, Vice President
Phone: 612-436-2721
Email: Paul.Walther@Cielostar.com

Meadowbrook Contact: Scott E. Whelan
Phone: 952-886-7751
Email: Scott.Whelan@meadowbrook.com

Minneapolis, MN, September 15, 2014 – - CieloStar, a leading nationwide healthcare benefit distribution, private health exchange and payment technology company, announced today that it has partnered with Clearview Group to begin offering employers expert solutions to help reduce costs and maximize the value of their employee benefits programs. Clearview Group brings innovative solutions for national and multinational companies using a unique blend of expert consultants, responsive service and cutting edge technology.

“With its emphasis on health and welfare, retirement and non-qualified benefits plans, Clearview Group is a welcome new partner for CieloStar,” said William Mehus, Executive Chairman of CieloStar. “Our customers and clients will value their high level of personalized service as well as their understanding of the needs of small to mid-sized businesses.”

Clearview Group is a specialty consultant firm offering an array of services designed to keep employers on top of the latest industry developments and navigate the ever changing and often confusing compliance and regulatory arenas. Their services and recommendations are based on sound data, reporting and customized strategies created for each individual business to ensure that the company goals and objectives are met while balancing the needs of the employees.

CieloStar’s highly successful channel partner programs are giving employers nationwide a one-stop shop for benefits and ancillary products through their BenefitReady® enrollment, self-service system. CieloStar’s BenefitReady® platform facilitates the collection, management, processing, and transfer of all the pertinent data that is typically involved with benefits administration.

“All of our partners have come to expect a level of technology and service that is unmatched in the industry,” added Mehus. “Data integrity, affordability, and fully compliant technology are the cornerstone of our BenefitReady® platform. Combine these with the expertise, customer service and professionalism of Clearview Group and we’ve got a dynamic new service offering.”

ABOUT CIELOSTAR:

CieloStar has been helping employers and employees across the country navigate the ever-changing world of benefits since 1988. The company’s expanding suite of products and services includes high-tech, high-touch SaaS based solutions, sophisticated decision support technology, private exchanges, enrollment solutions, mobile and web-enabled technology, health and wellness tools, bill consolidation and provider payment solutions. CieloStar, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN is privately held, employee owned. Visit www.cielostar.com for more information.

ABOUT CLEARVIEW GROUP:

Founded in 1998, Clearview Group has been providing solutions to our clients for over 15 years. The Clearview Team consists of three founding partners and supporting associates located in New York and Atlanta, GA.  Clearview partners have over 45 combined years in designing employee benefit and retirement plans. Clearview Group seeks to build a true partnership with our clients through personalized attention, high levels of customer service, and a dedicated team that understands all of the fine details of a company’s plans and needs.  The Clearview difference helps clients work faster and smarter while controlling benefit, retirement, and non-qualified plan costs. Visit www.clrviewgroup.com for more information.

Minneapolis, MN, August 25, 2014 – - CieloStar, a leading nationwide healthcare benefit distribution, private health exchange and payment technology company, announced today that it has partnered with HCC Life Insurance to extend the private healthcare exchange concept to the self-funded marketplace. The “HCC Self-funded Private Exchange” will offer an exclusive pricing arrangement that allows selected HCC Partner Brokers, Benefit Consultants, and Third Party Administrators to offer self-funded employers access to the most effective benefits management private exchange available at a fraction of the cost of providing these services by other means.

“Self-funded health plans have long since offered employers a level of flexibility and predictability that fully insured plans haven’t,” said William Mehus, Executive Chairman of Cielostar. “Our partnership with HCC now adds Cielostar’s BenefitReady® program and our reliable technology to the self-funded marketplace in the most cost-effective way possible.”

The HCC Private Exchange is a groundbreaking self-service based exchange that offers customized self-funded employee benefit plans. The HCC Private Exchange is complimented by a full line of employer specific voluntary benefit packages and also provides an integrated and efficient benefit selection experience with the use of a patented decision support-modeling tool for employees. The HCC Private Exchange offers employers and TPAs an integrated employer administration and reporting system, as well as comprehensive administration tools to support the needs of self-funded arrangements.

“Human Resources professionals will appreciate the benefits portal and the ease with which they and their employees can manage the enrollment process,” added Mehus. “Employees will have the ability to manage all information related to dependents and beneficiaries, as well as access a “Knowledge Base” menu of client-specific links and form.” Mehus noted that Cielostar’s BenefitReady® platform facilitates the collection, management, processing, and transfer of all the pertinent data that is typically involved with benefits administration.

ABOUT CIELOSTAR:

CieloStar has been helping employers and employees across the country navigate the ever-changing world of benefits since 1988. The company’s expanding suite of products and services includes high-tech, high-touch SaaS based solutions, sophisticated decision support technology, private exchanges, enrollment solutions, mobile and web-enabled technology, health and wellness tools, bill consolidation and provider payment solutions. CieloStar, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN is privately held, employee owned. Visit www.cielostar.com for more information.

ABOUT HCC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY:

For nearly 35 years, HCC Life Insurance Company has been leading the way in medical stop loss insurance for employers who self-fund their employee benefit plans. HCC Life’s products, including medical stop loss, group term life insurance and short term medical insurance are backed by the financial stability of its parent company, HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HCC). HCC Life holds a financial strength rating of AA (Very Strong) by Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings and A+ (Superior) by A.M Best Company. Visit www.hcc.com/life for more information.

Minneapolis, MN, July 1, 2014 – - CieloStar, a leading nationwide healthcare benefit distribution and payment technology company, announced today that Retail Benefits Inc. has added new retail establishments to its portfolio, including Orvis, Sephora and Lands End. Cielostar partnered with Retail Benefits in October of 2013 when it established its CieloStar Debit card, an all-in-one convenient multi-purpose card.

Retail Benefits has developed an innovative technology platform that has leveraged everyday online purchases and built a business model around Cash Back shopping. When employees, customers, members, or donors make purchases at online merchants like Target, Wal-Mart, Petsmart, Priceline, and thousands more, there is a pool of money generated that is not being accessed or utilized today.  The Retail Benefits technology platform provides their clients access to this cash with the flexibility to deliver the cash to their end users in many different ways.

“With Retail Benefits, consumers have the ability to shop online through a branded website, or by downloading a branded shopping assistant/toolbar and going direct to their favorite retailers websites, said John Reynolds, CEO of CieloStar. “We are excited for consumers each time Retail Benefits expands their retail offerings and pleased that our debit card includes such a benefit.”

Retail Benefits currently has over 4000 retail offerings and will soon be launching a mobile platform for iOs, Android, and Tablets that will allow the consumer to shop directly through their smart devices online as well as IN-STORE with innovative scanning technology.

ABOUT CIELOSTAR:

CieloStar has been helping employers and employees across the country navigate the ever-changing world of benefits since 1988. The company’s expanding suite of products and services includes high-tech, high-touch SaaS based solutions, sophisticated decision support technology, private exchanges, enrollment solutions, mobile and web-enabled technology, health and wellness tools, bill consolidation and provider payment solutions. CieloStar, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN is privately held, employee owned. Visit www.cielostar.com for more information.

Minneapolis, MN, June 10, 2014 – - CieloStar, a leading nationwide healthcare benefit distribution and payment technology company, announced today that it has partnered with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Chamber to open private health insurance and benefits exchanges in each state. CieloStar currently operates private exchanges in North Carolina and Oklahoma through similar Chamber of Commerce partnerships. The newest exchanges will offer Ohio and Virginia employers, including non-Chamber members, an array of major medical health plans and supplemental insurance products.

“The Ohio and Virginia Chamber private exchanges will offer simple, comprehensive health and benefit solutions that are enhanced and supported by the familiar and trusted Virginia and Ohio Chamber of Commerce names,” said John Reynolds, President and CEO of CieloStar. “The exchanges feature a pro-business “free market” approach that includes choice, competitive pricing, automation and efficiency.  It will not replace the important role benefit consultants and agents/brokers play, but instead will give them added options for their clients.”

CieloStar is known for its easy-to-navigate technology platform that provides a one-stop online marketplace for health insurance coverage. As more and more employers move to a defined contribution benefits package for employees, CieloStar is helping employers navigate the ever-changing healthcare landscape.

The Ohio Exchange opened for business in early June and can be viewed at: www.ohiochamberbenefits.com. The Virginia Exchange will begin operating later this summer. “With the uncertainty and concern over the impact of the Affordable Care Act on employer-sponsored health care coverage, many employers continue to take a close look at all their options and are evaluating different health plan strategies,” added Reynolds. “CieloStar offers an innovative approach that many employers are looking for to control cost and offer more benefit choices for their employees. We’re proud to partner with these forward thinking, innovative business associations.”

Reynolds noted that many other associations, third party administrators and brokers are exploring similar arrangements. “Cost transparency, choice, ease of use and savings are critical factors for all businesses right now,” he added.

ABOUT CIELOSTAR:

CieloStar has been helping employers and employees across the country navigate the ever-changing world of benefits since 1988. The company’s expanding suite of products and services includes high-tech, high-touch SaaS based solutions, sophisticated decision support technology, private exchanges, enrollment solutions, mobile and web-enabled technology, health and wellness tools, bill consolidation and provider payment solutions. CieloStar, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN is privately held, employee owned. Visit www.cielostar.com for more information.

Minneapolis, October 17, 2013 — CieloStar announces the deployment of its new CieloStar Card which will allow consumers to settle co-pay healthcare costs and receive rewards and benefits all on one convenient, multi-purpose card.  The CieloStar Card will permit consumers to track their health benefits, discounts, rewards and health savings dollars in one easy-to-access place.

“We foresee rapid growth of both our employer and consumer focused health and benefit solutions as we expand our network of private healthcare exchanges through affinity groups and directly to corporate sponsors,” said John Reynolds, CEO of CieloStar.  “The CieloStar Card is one of the unique features which makes the CieloChoice private healthcare exchange solution so attractive to so many sponsors because it does so much more than just facilitate payments from tax-advantaged accounts,”.

By integrating the latest developments in advanced payment technology, the CieloStar Card provides access to Health Savings Account dollars wherever they can be spent along with easy access both online and mobile to balances and transactions.  In addition, numerous retail benefits, such as those available through incentives for online shopping, are automatically transferred to the card for general personal use. Many national retailers such as Best Buy, Travelocity, Target and over 5,000 others participate in the employer-sponsored CieloStar Card program by offering cash back for online shopping which in turn gets loaded onto the purchaser’s card for personal use.

The CieloStar Card is also a discount card allowing consumers to obtain savings on a variety of medical services, an important function in an era when individuals will become increasingly responsible for medical expenses due to higher deductibles and co-pays.   The CieloStar Card provides access to such services as Medical Bill Help and Surgical Care Services which afford substantial discounts on numerous medical procedures and services, in addition to savings at over 59,000 pharmacies, 70,000 dental offices and 11,000 vision care providers.

CieloStar, as part of its healthcare and benefits and payment processing platforms, will extend the unique advantages of the CieloStar Card to individual consumers outside of the employer-provided context as it begins to distribute MyCieloChoice, the private healthcare and benefit exchange aimed at the individual market, more broadly in 2014.

ABOUT CIELOSTAR:

CieloStar has been helping employers and employees navigate the ever-changing world of benefits for 25 years. Now, with the dawn of “Defined Contribution Healthcare,” they are on the leading edge once again. Serving nearly 750,000 consumers and facilitates over $1.2 billion in annual healthcare payments, the company’s expanding suite of products and services includes sophisticated decision support technology, private exchanges, enrollment solutions, CDH administration and account processing, multi-purse debit cards, mobile and web-enabled technology, health and wellness tools, health coaching, health risk assessment, biometric health data, COBRA, bill consolidation and provider payment solutions.

Contact:  Pierce McNally, 612-655-9565

###

CHICAGO, Ill. – My Health and Money LLC, a unique, cost-saving solution for employees and consumers managing high-deductible health coverage, has been selected as an integral component of CieloStar’s new CieloChoice Fully Integrated Health and Benefits System. My Health and Money was created as a customizable, online portal to promote money-saving healthcare decisions that don’t compromise quality. CieloChoice is CieloStar’s proprietary web-based health and benefits solution that allows employers, affinity groups, brokers, third party administrators, and associations to offer private exchanges and defined contribution benefit solutions to their employees, clients and member organizations.

“As we enter into the era of consumer-directed, defined contribution healthcare, consumers are looking for simple and engaging tools to help them make smart decisions,” noted CieloStar CEO John Reynolds. “A key feature of the My Health and Money portal is that by simply typing in your zip code you are provided a set of enabling tools for healthcare cost comparison. This gives consumers an easy way to contrast prices for comparable services, engaging the free market to help individuals make better choices at a lower cost. Instant online access allows consumers to leverage this feature when and where they choose from any device.”

“We help employees manage high-deductible coverage by showing them how to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses,” said My Health and Money President and CEO Sarah Wilcox. “This is especially important now that out-of-pocket expenses are rising for individuals and families, and everyone is looking to get the most out of their healthcare dollars. We’re excited to be part of the CieloChoice value proposition for employers and employees.”

My Health and Money is a total support system helping individuals navigate the complexities of healthcare administration to become empowered purchasers of healthcare products and services. Understanding that emotional barriers often keep employees from engaging in healthcare decisions, the portal provides step-by-step instructions on how to select care facilities, understand insurance coverage and speak with doctors about medical choices.

“Most patients are not prepared to tackle both care and cost decisions,” said Wilcox. “Bringing transparency and health management tools to the forefront encourages confidence and collaboration with providers. CieloStar and My Health and Money are innovators in how to support and guide healthcare decision making, saving both employers and employees money.”

About CieloStar:

CieloStar has been helping employers and employees navigate the ever-changing world of benefits for 25 years. Now, with the dawn of “Defined Contribution Healthcare,” they are on the leading edge once again. Serving nearly 750,000 consumers and facilitates over $1.2 billion in annual healthcare payments, the company’s expanding suite of products and services includes sophisticated decision support technology, private exchanges, enrollment solutions, CDH administration and account processing, multi-purse debit cards, mobile and web-enabled technology, health and wellness tools, health coaching, health risk assessment, bio metric health data, COBRA, bill consolidation and provider payment solutions.

About My Health and Money:

Since 2009, My Health and Money’s cost transparency solution has provided employers with a valuable advisory service to help employees navigate the healthcare system and save money. The company’s total support system brings together cost transparency, provider services and health management tools showing employees how to take control of both care and cost decisions. Now that financial risk is shifting to employees, education and support are more important than ever as employees try to understand their choices and make better decisions about affordable care that doesn’t compromise quality.

Contact:

My Health and Money LLC
4433 N. Ravenswood, Ste. 210
Chicago, IL 60640
773-275-8000

Broker website: business.myhealthandmoney.com
Consumer website: www.myhealthandmoney.com
Quick Tour Video

John A. Reynolds
CieloStar CEO and President
(612) 436-2706

Kate Catlin
North Carolina Chamber
(919) 836-1414

North Carolina Chamber to Launch
Private Health Insurance and Benefits Exchange

State Chamber of Commerce to Offer Access to a
One-Stop, Online Marketplace for Health Insurance 

RALEIGH, N.C. – Lew Ebert, president and CEO of the North Carolina Chamber, has announced that the nonpartisan business advocacy organization will offer a private health insurance and benefits exchange through CieloStar, a nationwide healthcare payment and benefit technology company formerly known as OutsourceOne. North Carolina companies will be able to offer employees access to a one-stop, online marketplace to shop for health insurance.

Health care is a top-of-mind issue for North Carolina businesses, cited as one of the key costs impacting profitability. Currently, there is a great amount of uncertainty around how the Affordable Care Act will impact companies and how the state is implementing changes outlined in the federal reform. As the ACA is coming to bear, many businesses are beginning to incur greater costs. However, they do not know what the health care costs are going to be in the next few years. This uncertainty is a large factor in growing the employment base.

For any private exchange to work there must be choices. The North Carolina Chamber and CieloStar are in discussions with a number of carriers. Similar to travel websites that allow consumers to shop for airfare, hotels and rental cars in one place, CieloChoice will offer a variety of insurance plans for North Carolina consumers to choose from, including health, dental, Medicare, vision and more. Coupled with competitive price comparisons, employees can create a plan based on their specific needs and budget.

“Due to the increased uncertainty in predicting costs, we believe that more employers will move to what’s called a defined contribution approach for health care,” said Jim Simpson, COO of the North Carolina Chamber. “Employers will set a defined contribution and each individual can go out and secure coverage for what they need most. This approach allows employers to budget for the defined contribution and a set increase each year, which brings an enormous amount of certainty to one of a company’s historically most uncertain processes. Additionally, a private exchange ensures that employees have control over the kinds of benefits they have.”

“Since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, employers have been steadily migrating to defined contributions plans, rather than shifting more costs, assessing annual health care spending, and evaluating plan utilization,” said Dr. John Reynolds, CieloStar CEO. “The CieloChoice private exchange solution allows employees to manage their own benefit and health care plans and successfully navigate the transition from defined benefit to defined contribution healthcare and benefits.”

About CieloStar:

CieloStar has helped brokers, employers, employees, healthcare providers and affinity groups navigate the ever-changing world of benefits and healthcare payments for over 25 years and serves nearly 750,000 consumers and facilitates over $1.2 billion in annual healthcare payments. Now, fueled by the far-reaching impact and complexities of healthcare reform taking effect in 2013 and 2014, employers and employees increasingly find themselves in a ‘farmer’s market’ of benefits choices. CieloStar’s enabling technology helps employers and consumers make the best possible decisions by emphasizing transparency and simplicity. CieloStar’s comprehensive approach to benefits offers everything from back room technology for enrollment, integrated databases, consolidated billing and call centers to complete solutions for COBRA, CDHP, provider / payer / patient payment solutions, health insurance, and benefit exchanges. Visit www.cielostar.com for more information.

About the North Carolina Chamber:

The North Carolina Chamber is a nonpartisan business advocacy organization that works in the legislative, regulatory and political arenas to proactively drive positive change to ensure that North Carolina is a leading place in the world to do business.  Strengthening the state’s ability to attract, retain and grow jobs is the Chamber’s highest priority.  Central to that effort are four “Pillars of a Secure Future” for North Carolina which include Education and Talent Supply, Business Climate, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Infrastructure and Growth Leadership.  For more information, visit www.ncchamber.net.