Press Release
NCQA Ranks Four Massachusetts Medicaid Plans Among Top Five in America
Four Massachusetts health plans have today been honored for quality among America's top Medicaid health insurance plans in a prominent annual ranking conducted by the National Committee for Quality Assurance(NCQA).
Fallon Community Health Plan, Neighborhood Health Plan, Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan, and Network Health received the top 1, 3, 4 and 5 scores, respectively, out of the 104 Medicaid plans that were ranked across the country in the NCQA's Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2010-11 -- Medicaid. These scores reflect member satisfaction and success in preventing and treating illness and are based on comprehensive quality performance reviews conducted by NCQA. In total, these four plans provide health care services to more than 50% of the under-65 Medicaid population in Massachusetts.
The rankings were developed by comparing performance data for health plans voluntarily provided to NCQA with results from consumer surveys conducted through the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) measures and from on-site and off-site evaluations of more than 60 standards and selected Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) performance measures that show health plans’ relative performance for preventing and treating illness.
"Massachusetts residents should be proud to know that their state is home to four of the top five Medicaid plans in the country," said Patrick Hughes, President and CEO of Fallon Community Health Plan. "This very important and impressive national ranking reflects our health plans' commitment to working with providers to ensure that the communities we serve receive the right care in the right settings."
"Massachusetts has long been on the cutting edge of health care reform efforts,"said Deborah C. Enos, President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Plan. "These NCQA results demonstrate that our health plans have the ability to consistently achieve true quality care, which is central to those efforts. Ultimately, it translates to improved health and lower costs for all."
"Being honored as one of this nation’s top five Medicaid health plans validates the success of each of our collaborations with our health care providers, our staffs, and our members," said Karen Fifer Ferry, Executive Director of BMC HealthNet Plan. "The fact that the Massachusetts Medicaid plans ranked so highly based on member satisfaction and clinical performance is testament to how we all recognize the importance of health care and health coverage, particularly for the most disadvantaged among us."
"Network Health is delighted to be recognized as one of the nation’s top Medicaid health plans," said Christina Severin, Network Health President. "Our ranking along with those of our fellow Massachusetts Medicaid health plans reinforces the outstanding care the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable population receives in the Managed Care Organization (MCO) program."
The rankings were released on Thursday by NCQA on their website, www.ncqa.org/rankings. NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers, and researchers.
CAHPS® is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
HEDIS® is a registered trademark of NCQA.
About Boston Medical Center (BMC) HealthNet Plan
Founded in 1997 by Boston Medical Center, BMC HealthNet Plan is the largest Massachusetts Medicaid managed care organization serving nearly 250,000 members, including over 192,000 MassHealth (Medicaid) members and 55,000 Commonwealth Care members. Our members receive care and services from a network of 58 hospitals and 16,000 healthcare providers across Massachusetts. BMC HealthNet Plan has held "Excellent" NCQA Accreditation for its Medicaid product since 2009 when it first applied for accreditation. For more information, visit bmchp.org.
About Fallon Community Health Plan
Founded in 1977, Fallon Community Health Plan is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care services organization. From traditional health insurance products available throughout Massachusetts for all populations, to innovative health care programs and services for seniors, FCHP supports the diverse and changing needs of all those it serves. FCHP has consistently ranked among the nation's top health plans, and is the only health plan in Massachusetts to have been awarded "Excellent" Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products. For more information, visit fchp.org.
About Neighborhood Health Plan
Neighborhood Health Plan is a not-for-profit health insurer serving more than 210,000 members across Massachusetts, offering a wide array of government-funded and commercial products. NHP provides health care programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, through small business employer groups, and through Massachusetts' groundbreaking health care reform. Founded in 1986 by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and the Greater Boston Forum for Health Action, NHP focuses on offering members access to care from over 2,800 primary care physicians and over 10,400 specialists in over 300 primary care locations throughout Massachusetts. NHP is recognized as a national leader in care for medically complex and severely disabled populations. Central to Neighborhood Health Plan's mission, the organization places special emphasis on serving culturally diverse, traditionally underserved, and vulnerable populations.
About Network Health
Since 1997, Network Health, Inc. has provided Massachusetts residents with low and moderate incomes access to high-quality health care. 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. For more information, visit network-health.org
Media Contacts
Harry Castleman Director of Marketing Communications - BMC HealthNet Plan - 617-748-6089
Christine Cassidy Senior Director of Corporate Communications - Fallon Community Health Plan - 508-368-9502
Rhian Gregory - Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications - Neighborhood Health Plan - 617-620-0517
Debbie Gordon - Senior Director, Marketing - Network Health - 781-393-3502
©2012 Neighborhood Health Plan