FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2010
Network Health Enters into Contract with Southcoast Health System
Agreement allows Network Health members to get health care services at
leading Southeastern Massachusetts health system
Medford, Mass. — Network Health, Inc., a Massachusetts health plan that provides access to high-quality health care for more than 170,000 members with low and moderate incomes, today announced that it has entered into a partnership with Southcoast Health System, a community-based health delivery system. Under the partnership, Network Health’s Network Health Together® (MassHealth) and Network Health Forward® (Commonwealth Care) members can receive health care services at all three Southcoast Hospitals Group locations, including Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, and Tobey Hospital in Wareham. The contract includes Southcoast Physicians Network, which is composed of more than 200 physicians and mid-level providers in the region.
“Network Health is pleased to enter into a partnership with Southcoast Health System,” said Paul Burke, senior director of network management at Network Health. “Southcoast Health System offers patients state-of-the-art, integrated clinical services while maintaining its deep-rooted commitment to the local community. This partnership allows Network Health to expand services to our members in the southeastern part of the state and continue our mission to improve the health and well-being of our members and their diverse communities.”
Network Health partners with a growing network of nearly 20,000 primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and community organizations to serve its members in more than 300 Massachusetts cities and towns.
“Increased access to health care is a critical component of community health,” said William Grigg, executive vice president and CFO at Southcoast Health System. “As a community-based health delivery system, Southcoast Health System is pleased to partner with Network Health to provide its MassHealth and Commonwealth Care members more coverage choice and increased access to high-quality, comprehensive health care.”
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 extra 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% 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 Network Health Forward members extra benefits designed to encourage wellness.
To improve the health and well-being of its members and their diverse communities, Network Health offers an integrated care model, providing a team of in-house medical, mental health, social care, and pharmacy professionals to coordinate member care, and partners with nearly 20,000 primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and community organizations across Massachusetts.
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 one of the highest-rated health plans in the nation, ranking fifth among all Medicaid health plans nationally, according to NCQA’s 2010 – 2011 Health Insurance Plan Rankings – Medicaid. Additionally, Network Health is nationally recognized for its innovative programs, receiving a Case In Point Platinum Award for Best Overall Case/Care Management Program from Dorland Health, and for having the Top Leadership Team among health plans nationally from
HealthLeaders Media.
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, from 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, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To learn about Commonwealth Care health plan options, Massachusetts residents can call the Commonwealth Care Customer Service Center 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.
About Southcoast Health System
Southcoast Health System is a community-based health delivery system with multiple access points that offers an integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island.
Southcoast Health System includes Southcoast Physicians Network and the three hospitals that make up Southcoast Hospitals Group — Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
Southcoast Health System provides advanced clinical services, such as open heart surgery, angioplasty and heart rhythm services, comprehensive cancer care, neurosurgery, weight loss surgery, orthopedic surgery, and advanced imaging services, and is the only provider of maternity services in the region.
Southcoast Health System is a not-for-profit charitable organization that depends on the support of the community to provide services.
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