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Network Health Appoints Director of Network Management Strategy

MEDFORD, Mass. — Network Health, a nonprofit health plan that provides access to high-quality, affordable health care for more than 215,000 Massachusetts residents with low and moderate incomes, announced today that it has appointed Hanson, Mass., resident John Tobin to director of network management strategy.

In this newly created role, Tobin will focus on helping to achieve Network Health’s strategic goal of increasing alternative payment models across its provider network. Additionally, Tobin will oversee implementation efforts for the state’s Primary Care Payment Reform Initiative, a program designed to improve access to primary care while enhancing patient experience, quality, and efficiency. 

“John joins Network Health with more than 16 years’ experience in the health care industry,” said Paul Burke, vice president of network management. “His skill in building and managing complex contractual relationships combined with his history of successful network strategy development will be invaluable as we move forward in the evolving health care landscape.”

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Prior to joining Network Health, Tobin served as the director of network strategy, within the Network Innovation and Management Division at Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Massachusetts in Boston. His management experience includes roles as assistant vice president of contracting services at BCBS of Rhode Island in Providence, and director, business development at The National Managed Health Care Congress formerly located in Waltham, Mass.

Tobin earned a law degree from Southern New England School of Law in North Darmouth, Mass., and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from North Adams State College in North Adams, Mass.

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About Network Health

Since 1997, Network Health has provided access to high-quality health care for Massachusetts residents with low and moderate incomes. Network Health is a nonprofit, comprehensive health plan serving members through Network Health Together® (MassHealth), Network Health Forward® (Commonwealth Care), Network Health Extend™ (Medical Security Program), and Network Health Choice (individual and small-group plan). 

To improve the health and wellness of its more than 215,000 members and the diverse communities it serves, 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 more than 20,000 primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and community organizations statewide.

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Network Health earned the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) “Excellent” Health Plan Accreditation status, NCQA’s highest accreditation rating, for its Network Health Together plan. In 2012, Network Health was the third highest-ranking Medicaid health plan in the United States according to NCQA’s Health Insurance Plan Rankings — Medicaid and has ranked among the top 10 Medicaid plans since 2010.

Network Health is among 10 health plans nationally and the first health plan in New England to earn the NCQA Multicultural Health Care Distinction. Additionally, Network Health is nationally recognized for its innovative programs; it won the Dorland Health Case In Point Platinum Award for “Best Social Care Management Program” in 2013, “Best Integrated Case Management Team” in 2012, and “Best Overall Case/Care Management Program” in 2010. Network Health is also recognized for its top leadership team among health plans nationwide by HealthLeaders Media.

Network Health became a subsidiary of Tufts Health Plan in 2011. Tufts Health Plan is a nonprofit organization nationally recognized for its commitment to providing innovative, high-quality health care coverage to its more than 999,000 members. For 2012 – 2013, its HMO and POS programs are ranked second in the nation according to NCQA’s Health Insurance Plan Rankings — Private, and its Medicare Preferred HMO received a 4.5 star rating from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2013. With headquarters in Massachusetts, Tufts Health Plan also serves members in Rhode Island. For more information visit www.tuftshealthplan.com.

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.

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