FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2009
Fitness Is In At Network Health!
Network Health increases fitness reimbursement and expands list of eligible activities for members
(Medford, Mass.) — Network Health announced today increased fitness benefits for all MassHealth and Commonwealth Care members. Along with a fitness reimbursement increase, members may now enroll in an expanded list of fitness-related activities (such as gym and health club memberships, including memberships at the YMCA and Jewish community centers; yoga, Pilates, and fitness classes; dance classes; sport and recreation leagues; and martial arts classes) to be eligible for the reimbursement.
MassHealth and Commonwealth Care members can receive a $50 – $75 fitness reimbursement, depending on plan type, after participating in an eligible fitness activity for three months. Members must submit proof of participation to receive the benefit, and are limited to one such fitness reimbursement every 12 months.
“These enhancements to our fitness benefit is one way Network Health demonstrates our commitment to helping our members get and stay healthy,” said Pano Yeracaris, vice president and chief medical officer for Network Health. “With so many of us creating New Year’s resolutions to improve our health and become more active, this is a great opportunity for us to support our members in achieving their health and well-being goals.”
As a part of Network Health’s overall wellness philosophy, members 21 and older also can join Weight Watchers for free. Once registered, Network Health will reimburse members up to $50 per calendar year toward the cost of weekly meetings.
About Network Health
Since 1997, Network Health has provided access to high-quality health care to low- and moderate-income residents of Massachusetts. 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 its Together members with all the benefits of MassHealth, plus additional free and discounted benefits. Network Health’s Commonwealth Care plan extends access to affordable health care for qualified Massachusetts residents 19 years or older who earn at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or up to approximately $31,000 a year for an individual (up to approximately $63,000 a year for a family of four). In addition to core health care benefits, Network Health offers its Forward members extra benefits designed to encourage wellness.
Network Health is nationally recognized for its integrated model of care, which provides a team of in-house medical, mental health, social service, and pharmacy professionals to coordinate the care of members with complex health needs and address their non-medical barriers to care. In its efforts to improve the health and well-being of its members and their diverse communities, Network Health partners with a growing network of more than 16,000 primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and community organizations to serve members in more than 300 cities and towns across Massachusetts.
Individuals must be eligible for MassHealth to join Network Health Together, a MassHealth plan. To learn about MassHealth eligibility, Massachusetts residents can contact the MassHealth Enrollment Center at 888-665-9993 (TTY: 888-665-9997), Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Once enrolled, MassHealth members can learn about their MassHealth health plan options by calling the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 800-841-2900 (TTY: 800-497-4648), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To learn about Commonwealth Care health plan options, call the Commonwealth Care Customer Service Center at 877-MA-ENROLL or 877-623-6765 (TTY: 877-623-7773), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or visit www.mahealthconnector.org.
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