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Community Corner

Network Health Appoints Medical Director

MEDFORD, Mass. — Network Health, a Massachusetts health plan that provides access to high-quality, comprehensive health care for nearly 215,000 Massachusetts residents with low and moderate incomes, announced today that it has appointed Needham, Mass., resident Peter Connolly, MD, as medical director.

Connolly will help guide the clinical affairs of Network Health, ensuring clinical quality in the provider network. He will also oversee physician review services and appeals, utilization management, integrated care management, medical policy formulation, and the development and execution of clinical disease management and population-based programs.

“The depth and breadth of Dr. Connolly’s experience make him an ideal fit for this role,” said Pano Yeracaris, MD, Network Health chief medical officer. “Dr. Connolly brings a history of outstanding leadership and a passion for patient-centered care. I am confident he will be a strong asset to our clinical affairs team, helping us to improve the health and wellness of our members.”

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Connolly has more than 30 years’ experience in the health care industry. He is currently an overnight and weekend physician at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Bradford, Mass., and a physician reviewer for Permedion in Charlestown, Mass. Additionally, Connolly sits on the executive board of the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards.

Prior to Network Health, Connolly was the chief medical officer at Tewksbury State Hospital in Tewksbury, Mass. He has also served as chief medical officer at Saints Memorial Hospital in Lowell, Mass., and medical director at Medecision, Inc. in Wayne, Penn.; Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, Mass.; and Independence Care System in the Bronx, N.Y. He began his career as medical director of Little House Health Center in Dorchester, Mass.

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Connolly earned a graduate medical degree from Tufts University Medical School in Boston, and completed his medical internship and residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton, Mass. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Harvard College in Cambridge. Connolly is board certified in advanced cardiac life support and advanced trauma life support.

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 its Network Health Together® (MassHealth), Network Health Forward® (Commonwealth Care), and Network Health Extend™ (Medical Security Program) plans.

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To improve the health and well-being of its nearly 215,000 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 more than 20,000 primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and community organizations statewide.

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 an affiliate 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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