MRCT, a comprehensive, employee benefits, financial products and human resources consulting firm, today announces the launch of SmartBenefits MarketplaceTM, the first locally owned an operated private healthcare exchange in Missouri and Southern Illinois.

MRCT created SmartBenefits Marketplace to serve businesses with 10 - 1,000 employees. The new private exchange provides brokers, employers and employees with an innovative, cost-controlling strategy to help manage unpredictable healthcare expenses.

"The SmartBenefits Marketplace is changing the way employers and individuals purchase benefits," said Holley Maher, Partner at MRCT and President of SmartBenefits Marketplace. "Now, it's easier than ever to compare plans, prices, and coverage and choose the products that match each individual's needs."

With the Affordable Care Act fully in effect, employers and individuals can access healthcare and ancillary coverage through new vehicles such as Public Exchanges, Private Exchanges, and Web Brokers. Business owners also have legislation they must comply with to avoid penalties.

"MRCT has more than 25 years history as a benefits firm. We use life and health brokers to help employers and employees navigate the maze of changes to the US healthcare system and the benefits industry," said Maher. "With SmartBenefits, employers can provide benefits to their employees while controlling costs. Using the additional options SmartBenefits provides, employees can easily tailor benefits plans to fit their needs."

The new SmartBenefits Marketplace features three major insurance carriers: UnitedHealthcare, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri, and Coventry. MRCT's new private exchange provides a single place for brokers to offer all coverage options including non-medical products with companies such as The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, and Unum. For consumers, SmartBenefits is a marketplace to leverage their combined purchasing power to obtain the best insurance plans at the best prices possible and to find coverage that fits their budget and needs.

"SmartBenefits Marketplace resulted in offering more benefit choices to our employees at a lower cost," said Laury West, Owner at West Brothers. "In addition, it has simplified our benefits administration and meets all of the legislative responsibilities brought about by ACA."

The new exchange opened January 1, 2014. As a result of the new healthcare exchange, MRCT expects to hire another 35-50 employees in 2014, nearly doubling its current staffing.

About MRCT

MRCT one of the largest benefits firms in St. Louis, offers comprehensive employee benefits, financial products and human resources consulting. The company has been providing long-term benefits solutions to employers, individuals and brokers for over 25 years.

MRCT prides itself on finding ways to offer a unique and innovative solutions to employers, individuals, and insurance agents throughout Missouri and Southern Illinois. In 2014, the company launched the first ever Missouri and Southern Illinois private exchange, SmartBenefits MarketplaceTM.

For more information about job opportunities, broker partnership opportunities, and our new private exchange visit: www.smartbenefitsplus.com.

MRCT
Holley Maher, 314-875-0083
media@mrctbp.com