FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2010

(Medford, Mass.) — Network Health, a Massachusetts health plan that provides high-quality health care coverage to more than 150,000 Massachusetts residents with low and moderate income, announced today its partnership with MinuteClinic, LLC to give Network Health members more access to convenient, high-quality health care. The partnership allows Network Health Together™ (MassHealth) and Network Health Forward™ (Commonwealth Care) members to get nonemergent health care at MinuteClinic centers inside 18 select CVS/pharmacy stores in Massachusetts.

“Network Health’s partnership with MinuteClinic is another step forward in our ongoing effort to offset rising health care costs, while ensuring that our members have convenient access to high-quality health care,” said Paul Burke, Network Health’s senior director of network management. “Partnering with MinuteClinic offers Network Health members another option when they need immediate care, but do not require a visit to the emergency room.”

MinuteClinic, a division of CVS Caremark Corporation, offers a focused range of limited services for nonemergent care issues, including treatment for minor illnesses, minor injuries, skin conditions, and certain vaccinations, in retail clinic settings. MinuteClinic, the largest retail clinic provider in the United States, is open seven days a week, including weekday evenings, and does not require patient appointments.

“By establishing in-network agreements with health plan providers such as Network Health, we hope to enhance access to medical treatment and extend our innovative model of care to even more Massachusetts’ citizens,” said Andrew Sussman, MD, president of MinuteClinic, and senior vice president and associate chief medical officer of CVS Caremark Corporation.

Studies published in the September 2009 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine found retail clinics deliver high-quality services that are on par with services offered at emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and physician offices. Furthermore, the cost of retail clinic services is lower than the cost of services at other provider sites. The Annals of Internal Medicine based its research largely on MinuteClinic patient data.


About MinuteClinic

MinuteClinic is a division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. MinuteClinic launched the first retail health care centers in the United States in 2000 and is the first provider to establish a national presence, with approximately 500 locations in 25 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to consumer demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has generated more than six million patient visits, with a 95% customer satisfaction rating.

A recognized leader in the patient-centric health care movement, MinuteClinic consistently brings innovation to the marketplace and sets new standards for clinical quality that exceed the national guidelines established for store-based clinics by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). MinuteClinic is the first retail health care provider to receive accreditation from The Joint Commission, the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit www.MinuteClinic.com.

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 Network Health Together members with all the benefits of MassHealth, plus additional free and discounted benefits. Network Health’s Network Health Forward 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 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 nonmedical 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.

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