Charleston, SC Economic Development

Benefitfocus healthcare video portal merges community with credibility

Mar. 3, 2008
Swamp Fox
Today Benefitfocus announced the release of the next phase on Beta site icyou which merges the healthcare video and virtual communities with credibility. This user-generated health video community provides the ability to post and search healthcare videos, as well as communicate with other users on important healthcare topics. Originally launched in September 2007, icyou already has hundreds of videos posted weekly and has rapidly become one of the most diverse libraries of online healthcare videos.

Built around common health concerns, such as heart disease, diabetes
and obesity, icyou features a blend of amateur and professional video and
is quickly growing as patients, caregivers, doctors and experts upload and
share their healthcare stories. In addition, high-quality videos are
produced and compiled internally by the icyou editorial staff who, to
ensure that content is both accurate and reliable, work with medical
editors and contributing physicians to review videos posted to the site.

"In this age of virtual communication, we've discovered there is a need
for a portal that aggregates healthcare videos while developing communities
that provide opportunities for people to connect on issues. There are many
quality healthcare videos all over the Internet. Our Web site provides a
place for people to easily find the videos when they need them. There are
literally millions of people who are candidates for speaking out about what
they are going through and what they've been through," said Nina
Sossamon-Pogue, vice president, Benefitfocus Media. "A surprising number of
people want to share their health experiences and icyou is the perfect
place to do so."

The recent enhancements to the site are based on community input and
surround the ease of use, video abundance and variance, and technical
performance. Thousands of videos with added healthcare topics have been
posted, editorial and physician consultant efficiency has been increased,
along with advanced user interface and functionality that streamlines the
site and allow users to imbed icyou videos and links on their own sites.

More than just an online community for users to upload, share and blog
their healthcare stories, icyou has become a complete user-centered site
where users are able to research information from healthcare professionals
and fellow patients, and follow up on video coverage from healthcare events
throughout the country. Next on the healthcare circuit, icyou will be
covering the Healthcare 2.0 Conference held in San Diego. The icyou team
actively participated and covered last fall's Healthcare 2.0 Conference in
San Francisco where over 500 healthcare technology leaders from across the
country came to discuss the most effective ways to impact, educate and
inform consumers about healthcare through technology.

"The Web is continuously challenging the apprehensions we have,"
Sossamon- Pogue shared. "As part of the Benefitfocus Consumer Healthcare
Group, it is important for us to work with today's healthcare technology
leaders and continue to enhance and advance online solutions for consumers.
icyou provides the online outlet to disseminate healthcare information
shared at events, such as Health 2.0, to interested parties around the
world."

About Benefitfocus
Benefitfocus is the leader in software and services for the healthcare
benefits market. Through developing leading technology solutions,
Benefitfocus allows consumers, employers and benefit providers to manage
complex decisions in an ever-changing healthcare environment. Benefitfocus
can be reached at 843-849-7476 or via the Internet at http://www.benefitfocus.com. 		related information