Commonwealth Care Bridge Members Now Eligible for Network Health

Under recent SJC decision, legal immigrants gain low-cost options, additional health care benefits, and large network of doctors and hospitals

MEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Following a landmark January 2012 Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) decision allowing legal immigrants access to health insurance under the state’s Commonwealth Care program, Network Health today announced that Commonwealth Care Bridge members can enroll in Network Health Forward ®, Network Health’s Commonwealth Care plan, between February 13 and February 24, 2012.

“Network Health is committed to offering the state’s residents access to high-quality health care while maintaining our position as a lowest cost health plan,” said Christina Severin, Network Health president. “We encourage Commonwealth Care Bridge members to take advantage of the special open enrollment period to discover what Network Health has to offer in terms of benefits and to learn about our high-value network of doctors, providers, and hospitals.”

Last month, the SJC ruled that a 2009 law that cut legal, permanent residents who have lived in the United States for less than five years from the Commonwealth Care program violated their rights to equal protection under the Massachusetts Constitution. This population, approximately 13,000 individuals, also known as Aliens with Special Status, has been insured by the Commonwealth Care Bridge program and is now eligible for Commonwealth Care under the ruling. Health plan changes under this special open enrollment period become effective March 1, 2012.

An additional 24,000 residents with special status who have been on a waitlist for Commonwealth Care Bridge will be eligible to apply for Commonwealth Care between March 1 and May 1, 2012. Open enrollment for the general Commonwealth Care population will occur in June.

Network Health Forward is offered nearly everywhere across the state. This means that most Commonwealth Care Bridge members can choose Network Health Forward as their health plan and in certain plan types, members will not even have to pay a premium. Commonwealth Care Bridge members can change to Network Health by calling the Commonwealth Care service center at 877-623-6765.

Commonwealth Care Bridge members who choose Network Health as their health plan will now have access to hospital systems including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Lawrence General Hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center, and the Berkshire Medical Center.

Network Health gives its Network Health Forward members access to additional benefits, such as preventive dental and vision care. Network Health also gives its Commonwealth Care members great EXTRAS, including $75 back on fitness activities, Weight Watchers discounts, and free health support with a 24/7 NurseLine; and offers an English and Spanish-language Web site where members can order ID cards, change their primary care provider, view authorization and referral status, use interactive tools like “Find a Doctor, Hospital, or Pharmacy,” and get up-to-date health information. Network Health also has friendly customer care specialists who can help in multiple languages.

Commonwealth Care offers access to high-quality, affordable health care for Massachusetts residents 19 years or older who earn at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, which is up to approximately $32,676 a year for an individual or up to approximately $67,056 a year for a family of four, and do not have access to subsidized health insurance, including employer-sponsored health insurance.

About Network Health

Since 1997, Network Health has provided access to high-quality health care for Massachusetts residents with low and moderate incomes. Based in Medford, Mass., Network Health is a nonprofit, comprehensive health plan serving members through its Network Health Together® (MassHealth), Network Health Forward (Commonwealth Care), and Network Health Extend (Medical Security Program) plans.

To improve the health and well-being of its more than 200,000 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. Network Health partners with 20,000 primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and community organizations statewide.

Network Health earned National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) “Excellent” Health Plan Accreditation, NCQA’s highest accreditation rating, for its Network Health Together plan. Since 2010, Network Health has been a top-ten plan among all Medicaid health plans nationally, according to NCQA’s Health Insurance Plan Rankings — Medicaid.

Additionally, Network Health is nationally recognized for its innovative programs and received a 2010 Case In Point Platinum Award for “Best Overall Case/Care Management Program” from Dorland Health. In 2010, Network Health also was recognized as having a top leadership team among health plans nationally by HealthLeaders Media.

For more information about Network Health, call 888-257-1985 or visit www.network-health.org. Follow Network Health on Facebook and @_NetworkHealth on Twitter.

To learn about their health plan options, Massachusetts residents can call Commonwealth Care at 877-623-6765 (TTY: 877-623-7773), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit www.mahealthconnector.org; call MassHealth at 800-841-2900 (TTY: 800-497-4648), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit www.mass.gov/masshealth; or call the Medical Security Program at 800-908-8801, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or visit www.mass.gov/dua/msp.



CONTACT:

Network Health
Eryn Gallagher, 781-393-3055
Manager of Corporate Marketing and
Media Relations
[email protected]

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Practice Management  Health  Hospitals  Other Health  Professional Services  Insurance

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