Humana launches health care apps for mobile phones
Humana Inc. recently announced new features and applications for mobile phone users, including a doctor and hospital search tool, claims summary, text messaging, and health-related games.
Humana members can instantly receive information from the company via text messages and access a list of in-network health care providers on most mobile phones.
The health-care-provider search tool helps members and non-members find doctor and hospital information from their mobile phone, and can even guide them there using the phone’s existing GPS and location awareness.
Members can instantly access their claims history and review current claims status. Members also can sign up for a text-messaging service that will allow them to track their spending-account balances, transactions and qualifying expenses. This service will also send health and wellness alerts to members, such as flu-shot reminders.
"This new set of mobile resources for our members establishes Humana as a frontrunner in this emerging space," said Bruce Goodman, Humana’s chief service and information officer. "We’re committed to meeting members’ needs by providing them with on-the-go guidance – anytime, anywhere."
Starting last January, Humana began launching a suite of mobile resources utilizing SMS/text, Mobile Web, and iPhone and Android applications to help people find urgent care centers, track their health care spending-account balances and get instant access to information on their member identification cards. In coming months, new mobile resources will be launched to further enhance consumers’ mobile experiences.
Fiserv unveils new mobile phone banking app
Fiserv Inc. of Brookfield, recently launched Mobile Source Capture, a new remote deposit capture solution that extends the convenience of remote check capture to camera-equipped mobile phones.
Mobile Source Capture leverages best of breed Mobile Deposit technologies from Mitek Systems Inc.
The new technology is a downloadable application for camera-equipped smartphones that allows users to securely take a picture of the front and back of a check and deposit the item electronically, without ever having to visit a branch, an ATM, the office or home. Users of Mobile Source Capture can deposit a check instantly from wherever they are to the financial institution for processing, clearing, settlement and posting. Mobile Source Capture is being initially targeted at clients seeking a customized or stand-alone solution, typically large financial institutions, or any institution with a strong focus on leading the mobile revolution.
The solution will be integrated with Fiserv account processing solutions with specific integration announcements in 2010 and in 2011.
Fiserv has been conducting customer pilot trials for mobile deposit capture since 2009. Based on feedback from those pilots, Fiserv expanded the product to include multi-item deposit capability, single sign-on authentication, and a virtual endorsement feature (the ability to place a virtual stamp on the back of the image). Fiserv also built in robust risk mitigation capabilities that allow for item validation to occur during capture. Fiserv offers enterprise-wide duplicate detection and a near real-time Deposit Review feature which allow quicker feedback to the phone user while ensuring the deposit is valid before it enters the deposit cycle.
"The cool factor of depositing a check by taking a picture of it with your cell phone just can’t be denied," said Gary Brand, director of Source Capture Solutions at Brookfield-based Fiserv. "These days, consumers want to be able to bank whenever and wherever they want – especially Gen Y consumers, who are tech-savvy. Financial institutions that offer mobile deposit capture will provide their customers with a new and convenient way to make deposits any time, day or night, without ever stepping foot in a branch. Technology that can allow customers to bank the way they want increases customer satisfaction and can attract new customers."
Nominees needed for annual Touching Lives Award
Milwaukee-based Horizon Home Care & Hospice is now accepting nominations for the 2011 Touching Lives Award. The award honors inividuals who have made a lasting impact on improving the lives of others through their actions. Past winners have included former Wisconsin First Lady Sue Ann Thompson, chief executive officer of Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, Leo Brideau and chief executive officer of Froedtert hospital Bill Petasnick. Physicians, hospice and palliative care nurses have also been honored with the award. This is the first time since its inception in 2007, that Horizon has opened the nominations up to the public. Nominations can be submitted here.
Live at the Lakefront wraps up its third season
The Rotary Club of Milwaukee and Discovery World-Pier Wisconsin recently announced the lineup for its third season of Live @ the Lakefront. The free concert series will conclude Wednesday, Sept. 1 with the Juli Wood Quartet in the outdoor Rotary Amphitheater at Discovery World, Pier Wisconsin, 500 North Harbor Drive.
“It’s incredible to be presenting our third season of LIVE @ the Lakefront,” said Dan Nelson, Jr., co-chairman of Rotary’s Maritime Committee. “The Rotary Club of Milwaukee is proud to partner with Discovery World and Bartolotta’s to bring this original music series back to one of the most beautiful and relaxing venues in Milwaukee. The outdoor location of the Rotary Amphitheater literally right on the
water could not be better suited for a free summer concert series. Milwaukee has a strong original music heritage, and a lakefront that doesn’t have enough opportunities to be appreciated. With the LIVE @ the Lakefront concert series, we are grateful we can create more free access to both for all Milwaukeeans.”
The nine week concert series will feature original jazz, salsa, reggae, and bluegrass music and catered food and beverages for purchase from The Bartolotta Restaurant Group. Discounted parking is available for $5 in the Discovery World garage and boaters can also dock next to Lakeshore State Park. The concert series will be held rain or shine.
