FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2011

Network Health Appoints Director of Medical Management

MEDFORD, Mass. — Network Health, a Massachusetts health plan that provides high-quality health care coverage to more than 170,000 Massachusetts residents with low and moderate incomes, announced today that it has appointed Jean Piercy, RN, BSN as its director of medical management. Piercy will oversee the health plan’s medical management team, which provides ongoing utilization review and utilization management to coordinate care for select Network Health members; promote effective use and monitoring of health care resources; and lead strategic efforts to achieve optimal clinical and resource outcomes.

“Jean joins Network Health with extensive medical management experience,” said Mary Jane McKendry, Network Health vice president of clinical affairs. “Jean’s experience and proven record of success will ensure efficient, high-quality, and appropriate care for our members, and in turn improve member health outcomes.”

Prior to joining Network Health, Piercy served at WellPoint, Inc. as staff vice president of medical management operations. In this capacity, Piercy was responsible for WellPoint’s Medicaid medical management program operations, including utilization management; case management, including high-risk obstetrics; and behavior health integration, for nearly two million members in nine states.

Piercy previously served as director of medical management operations at UniCare Life and Health Insurance and HealthLink, manager/director of managed care operations at UniCare Life and Health Insurance for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts account, and managed care coordinator at Uniformed Services Family Health Plan.

Piercy earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fitchburg State College.

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.

###