Traditional provider directories are typically printed once a year and contain all the providers in a network so the information isn t particularly timely or relevant. These voluminous directories are not exactly easy to use and are difficult to correct. Personalized printed directories are customized for each employee and present information on network providers located near the employee s home address. Companies have found that presenting current provider information especially during open enrollment helps increase managed care membership. The information is widely available since the end user only needs a telephone and an 800 number to locate pertinent information.
Callers can request a personalized directory via fax or mail.
At the far right of the continuum is DirectoriesOnline an Internet service from GeoAccess. DirectoriesOnline provides employees access to a provider locator capability customized for their employer and their networks. Employers link to this capability via their own corporate intranet. Unlike the old provider directory stuffed into a kitchen drawer, employees can access this information 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the plant, the office or on the road with a dial-up connection. The following case study illustrates the business and technical issues that guided General Electric Company to implement GeoAccess DirectoriesOnline intranet solution to communicate network provider information to employees.