Network Health’s Robert Katzman named a top
Hispanic executive making a difference

(Medford, Mass.) — The Boston Business Journal, in partnership with the Boston-based Hispanic newspaper El Planeta, will honor Robert Katzman, Network Health’s manager of member acquisition, as a “20 on the Move: Hispanic executives making a difference in Boston” award winner on October 23, 2009 during an awards breakfast at Boston’s Park Plaza Hotel.

“I am thrilled that Robert was named one of Boston’s top Hispanic executives making a difference,” said Debbie Gordon, Network Health’s senior director of marketing. “Robert always goes above and beyond to make sure the state’s underserved and at-risk populations know their health care options and get the care they need. It’s great to see his hard work and dedication recognized in this way.”

Knowing too well the social, cultural, and often linguistic barriers that exist between English-speaking and non-English-speaking residents, Robert is instrumental in finding ways to reach, educate, and enroll uninsured Massachusetts residents. Since Robert joined Network Health in 2007, the health plan’s membership has grown by more than 10,000 members.

A panel of judges from the Boston Business Journal, El Planeta, Latino Professional Network, and Hispanic business community selected the “20 on the Move: Hispanic executives making a difference in Boston” award winners. The panel assessed “nominees’ influence in the business community and their efforts to improve the civic life of the region,” according to award criteria.

Under Robert’s direction, Network Health’s field team outreaches and explains the health insurance process to uninsured Massachusetts residents and community organizations, and helps newly insured members acclimate to having and appropriately using their health insurance. New Network Health members regularly credit Robert with making the often complex health insurance application process easy to understand. “I can’t tell you how you have helped my brother-in-law. It has been such a stressor for him trying to figure out how he will continue his health insurance,” a grateful Network Health member wrote in a recent letter to Robert. “You have helped to improve the quality of his life.”

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 Network Health 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 $32,496 a year for an individual (up to approximately $66,156 a year for a family of four). In addition to core health care benefits, Network Health offers its Network Health 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 nearly 18,000 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.