(Medford, Mass.) — Network Health announced today that Paul Burke, senior director of network management, has been appointed president of the board of directors at HealthCare Administrative Solutions (HCAS). HCAS is a Hingham, Mass.-based nonprofit organization founded by several Massachusetts health plans committed to simplifying health care administration.

“Network Health was a founding member of HealthCare Administrative Solutions, and we are thrilled to have one of our senior leaders involved in leading its ongoing success,” said Christina Severin, president of Network Health. “Paul brings extensive experience working with providers from his role overseeing Network Health’s provider network management team. His experience and expertise will be a great asset in advancing HCAS’ mission to increase administrative efficiencies.”

As HCAS Board president, Burke will guide HCAS’ business efforts, oversee financial accountability, steer policy and project selection, and strengthen the collaborative efforts of participating health plans working to simplify health care administration and reduce administrative costs.

Burke previously served as HCAS Board treasurer.

About HealthCare Administrative Solutions (HCAS)

HealthCare Administrative Solutions, Inc. (HCAS) is a nonprofit organization that several Massachusetts health plans founded in January 2005 to collaborate on administrative simplification initiatives.

Participating organizations include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Fallon Community Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Health New England, Medical Network, Neighborhood Health Plan, Network Health, and Tufts Health Plan. A board of directors governs HCAS, and an executive director manages and operates the organization.

HCAS is dedicated to facilitating collaborative efforts among participants in the health care community by centralizing or coordinating analogous, non-competitive tasks and processes. HCAS efforts are designed to increase efficiency and reduce health care administrative costs.

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 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.