Network Health Only Health Plan to Lower Commonwealth Care Prices

MEDFORD, MA--(Marketwire - Jun 2, 2011) - Network Health, Inc. announced today that it has renewed its contract with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority (the Connector) to serve Massachusetts Commonwealth Care members. Effective July 1, 2011, Network Health will be a lowest-cost option for residents eligible for Commonwealth Care.

Commonwealth Care extends access to high-quality, affordable health care for Massachusetts residents 19 years or older who earn at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, which is up to approximately $32,676 a year for an individual or up to approximately $67,056 a year for a family of four, and do not have access to subsidized health insurance, including employer-sponsored health insurance. The Connector determines Commonwealth Care eligibility.

"Network Health is committed to finding innovative ways to control rising health care costs and deliver our members access to affordable, high-quality health care," said Christina Severin, Network Health president. "I am proud that we delivered on our commitment by being the only Commonwealth Care plan to lower its prices from last year -- while maintaining the great services and benefits our members deserve -- and that we are passing real cost savings on to our members, tax payers, and state government."

Network Health gives its Commonwealth Care members great EXTRAS, including $75 back on fitness activities, Weight Watchers discounts, and free health support with a 24/7 NurseLine; offers an English and Spanish-language Web site where members can order ID cards, change their primary care provider, view authorization and referral statuses, use interactive tools, like "Find a Doctor" and "Drug Interaction Checker," and get up-to-date health information; and has friendly customer care specialists who can help in more than 170 languages.

Massachusetts residents eligible for Commonwealth Care can enroll in a Commonwealth Care-administering health plan anytime. Massachusetts residents already enrolled in Commonwealth Care can change their health plan for any reason between June 1 and June 24, 2011. Any health plan changes become effective July 1, 2011.

About Network Health
Since 1997, Network Health has provided Massachusetts residents with low and moderate incomes access to high-quality health care. Based in Medford, Mass., Network Health is a comprehensive health plan serving members through its Network Health Together^® (MassHealth) and Network Health Forward^® (Commonwealth Care) plans.

Network Health provides Network Health Together members all the benefits of MassHealth, plus free EXTRAS. Network Health's Commonwealth Care plan extends access to affordable health care for qualified Massachusetts residents 19 years old or older who earn at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, or up to $32,676 a year for an individual (up to $67,056 a year for a family of four). In addition to core health care benefits, Network Health offers Network Health Forward members free EXTRAS designed to encourage wellness.

To improve the health and well-being of its members and their diverse communities, Network Health offers fully integrated, in-house care management, providing a team of medical, behavioral health, social care, and pharmacy professionals who coordinate member care, and partners with 20,000 primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and community organizations.

Network Health earned National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) "Excellent" Health Plan Accreditation, NCQA's highest accreditation rating, for its Network Health Together plan. Network Health is also ranked fifth among all Medicaid health plans nationally, according to NCQA's Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2010 - 2011 - Medicaid. Additionally, Network Health is nationally recognized for its innovative programs and received a Case In Point Platinum Award for "Best Overall Case/Care Management Program" from Dorland Health. Network Health also has the Top Leadership Team among health plans nationally, according to HealthLeaders Media.

Individuals must be eligible for MassHealth to join Network Health Together, a MassHealth plan. To learn about MassHealth eligibility, Massachusetts residents can call the MassHealth Enrollment Center at 888-665-9993 (TTY: 888-665-9997), Monday through Friday, from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Once enrolled, MassHealth members can learn about their MassHealth health plan options by calling MassHealth customer service at 800-841-2900 (TTY: 800-497-4648), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To learn about Commonwealth Care health plan options, Massachusetts residents can call Commonwealth Care customer service at 877-MA-ENROLL or 877-623-6765 (TTY:877-623-7773), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or they can visit www.mahealthconnector.org.