HealthPass, National Alliance on Mental Illness Team Up to Offer Small Employers Information on Mental Health Resources

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - January 22, 2008) - HealthPass, a New York City-based non-profit group, announced today a strategic relationship with the National Alliance on Mental Illness - NYC Metro (NAMI-NYC) that will give thousands of small businesses access to information on quality mental health resources, programs and benefits for their employees.

As part of this strategic partnership, HealthPass, which offers cost-effective health insurance solutions to small employers, will incorporate into their benefit enrollment kits, a small employer guide on mental health resources published by NAMI-NYC, which provides support, education, and advocacy for families and individuals who live with mental illness.

The 8-page employer guide includes a wide range of information and resources on mental health. Employers will find national data on how mental illness affects the workplace, information on how to calculate workplace costs and several links to mental health cost calculators. Additionally, the guide provides comprehensive information about Timothy's Law -- New York State's Mental Health Parity Law. Also included in the guide are tips for employers on how to educate and keep workers informed about their mental health benefits as well as free resources that are available to employees. Furthermore, HealthPass will provide employers with the opportunity to order employee mental health resource guides developed by NAMI-BYC Metro to distribute to their employees.

"We are very excited about our partnership with NAMI-NYC Metro," said Vince Ashton, Executive Director of HealthPass. "Untreated and under-treated mental health illness in the workplace is costing employers millions of dollars in lost work days and over-utilization of medical benefits. This guide will enable employers to provide the appropriate resources and support to help workers dealing with mental health illnesses."

"Communication between employers and employees about mental health benefits is vital," says Wendy Brennan, Executive Director of NAMI-NYC Metro. "We are looking forward to working with HealthPass and providing their employers with the resources that workers can use to find appropriate care for their illness as well as reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness."

About HealthPass

HealthPass is an innovative partnership between the New York Business Group on Health, the City of New York and the health insurance industry bringing small businesses healthcare choices worthy of Fortune 500 companies.

HealthPass allows eligible employees to individually choose a healthcare plan that fits their medical needs and budgets from an ever-growing range of choices. There are more than 30 different coverage options from four leading carriers -- GHI, Health Net, HIP Health Plan of New York and PerfectHealth -- as well as two dental plans and a bundled product offered through Guardian. With over 200,000 doctors, dentists, nurses and other health care professionals, HealthPass provides greater access than any single plan. For more information, please visit www.healthpass.com.

About NAMI-NYC

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City Metro, Inc. (NAMI-NYC Metro) is a grassroots organization that provides support, education, and advocacy for families and individuals of all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds who live with mental illness. As one of the largest affiliates of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI-NYC Metro works collaboratively with state and national affiliates and other stakeholders in the community to educate the public, advocate for legislation, reduce stigma, and improve the mental health system. For more information, please visit www.naminycmetro.org.

Contact Information: Contact: Ed Emerman Eagle Public Relations 609-275-5162 eemerman@eaglepr.com