Getting benefits from insurers

Abbie Leibowitz and Marty Rosen are co-founders of Health Advocate, a company that helps employees navigate the labyrinth of the healthcare system. They say business is booming — even though their service is an added expense employers have to pay on top of an already expensive benefit. Health and science reporter Kerry Grens asked them about their industry.

Q: Can you give an overview of what Health Advocate does?
Abbie Leibowitz: (0:35)

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Q: You were an executive at Aetna. What did you see was wanting in the market for employers that was the impetus for starting the company?
Abbie Leibowitz: (0:32)

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Q: Why isn't this service available at Aetna or other insurance companies?
Marty Rosen: (1:31)

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Q: What is driving the growth in this insurance-help industry?
Abbie Leibowitz: (0:21)

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Q: Do you ever run into difficulties with insurance companies denying benefits or does it come to a point where you end up in court?
Abbie Leibowitz: (1:00)

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Q: How can employers afford this type of service when premiums for insurance are rising significantly?
Abbie Leibowitz: (0:31)

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Q: Insurance companies have been vilified during the discussions of healthcare reform in Congress. Do they deserve this?
Abbie Leibowitz: (1:32)

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More info:
Free or cheap medical care