Empyrean Benefit Solutions Selected by Discovery Communications as New Partner for Health and Welfare Benefits Administration Services

Global Media Company Drawn to Empyrean’s Leading Technology & Business Platforms

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Empyrean Benefit Solutions, one of the fastest growing benefits technology and service firms in the U.S., has been selected by Discovery Communications as the company’s new external provider for health and welfare benefits services.

“We decided to pursue the relationship with Empyrean based on the compelling information they provided and the convincing presentations made by their staff, which demonstrated a thorough understanding of the industry, best practices and service efficiencies.”

After an extensive review Discovery selected Empyrean for its innovative technology platform, which gives employers far more flexibility in their benefits administration, saving significant time and money.

With approximately 3,100 benefit eligible employees in the U.S., Discovery decided to partner with a specialized benefits administration firm to derive greater efficiency, capability and participant service.

“While Discovery had an amicable relationship with our existing service, we decided to explore alternative benefits service partners to see if we would benefit from a change,” said John Rose, Discovery’s Director of U.S. Benefits. “We decided to pursue the relationship with Empyrean based on the compelling information they provided and the convincing presentations made by their staff, which demonstrated a thorough understanding of the industry, best practices and service efficiencies.”

“Discovery is another example of a major trend in the market,” said Doug Hogenmiller, Empyrean SVP of Business Development. “Mid-sized employers are transitioning health and welfare benefits administration from legacy providers—looking to Empyrean’s client-specific approach, innovative technology and expertise to gain greater efficiency and flexibility.”

Discovery elected to use Empyrean’s full suite of services, including core health and welfare benefits administration (data file transfers, management of reimbursement programs, premium billing assistance, reporting, and communications), Call Center, FSA, COBRA/HIPAA and Direct Billing.

About Empyrean

Founded in 2007, Empyrean Benefit Solutions is a leading provider of technology and services for managing large and middle-market employers’ health and benefit programs. The company’s open systems approach brings together the industry’s most advanced benefits technology platform with the market’s leading domain experts. This agile business solution drives greater value to employers and employees during increasing market uncertainty by giving them an unprecedented level of flexibility, through best-of-breed integration of other software and service providers. Empyrean’s founders are former principals with some of the country’s largest benefits administration service providers. For more information visit www.GoEmpyrean.com.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.7 billion cumulative subscribers in 209 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 147 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel,

TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.