Network Health Executive to Share Insights on the Role of Insurance Exchanges and the Rise of Consumerism in Health Care at Upcoming Industry Conferences

MEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Network Health, a nonprofit health plan that provides access to comprehensive health care for more than 215,000 Massachusetts residents, announced today that Deborah (Debbie) Gordon, the health plan’s Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Business Development, will be speaking at two upcoming industry events, including the 6^th Annual Consumer-Directed Healthcare Forum in Washington, D.C. on February 26, and the American Marketing Association’s Executive Summit in San Diego, California on March 11.

“I am thrilled to be involved in these important industry events which address the increasing importance of health care consumerism”

The 6^th Annual Consumer-Directed Healthcare Forum Conference will bring together top industry leaders from across the country to discuss a range of issues including the implications of national health reform, benefits of private and public health care exchanges, and the continued growth of consumerism in health care. As part of this discussion, Gordon was invited to speak on “The Role of Health Insurance Exchanges in Consumerism.” In her presentation, Gordon will address how she believes health insurance exchanges will drive consumerism in health care and change the way health plans think about consumers. Within this topic, Gordon will provide a global perspective, discussing what lessons can be learned from other countries and how these lessons can be applied to the U.S.

The AMA Executive Summit will feature dynamic keynotes and panel sessions delivered by various leading thinkers from across the health care marketing field. The event is sponsored by Marketing Health Services magazine, on which Gordon serves on the editorial board. The quarterly publication offers targeted information and practical strategies, helping advise senior-level health care marketers and managers on how to achieve their goals and shape their vision in this quickly and constantly evolving industry. Gordon will speak on two panels – sharing best practices on “Measuring Results: Using Data, Analytics, and Research” and discussing the “Evolving Role of Health Plans” in the midst of legislative developments, the creation of exchanges, and increasing consumer involvement in the health care industry.

“I am thrilled to be involved in these important industry events which address the increasing importance of health care consumerism,” said Debbie Gordon, Network Health Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Business Development. “I believe consumer engagement has the potential to harness positive systemic change in our health care industry today. At the forefront of this opportunity are exchanges, which are creating marketplaces for individual and small group insurance that have not existed before in the health care arena. Massachusetts is a live example where the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector is effectively driving competition among plans and enabling product innovation. Consumers have more choice than ever before - and that is a great thing. Our next challenge will be to provide consumers with the information and decision-making tools they need to make the right choices.”

Gordon was recently named a 2013 USA Eisenhower Fellow, a prestigious fellowship which recognizes emerging leaders who are making momentous contributions to society. In 2013, she will travel to Singapore and Australia where she will explore how these countries have successfully established systems and supports that allow consumers to make well-informed decisions about their health care. The goal is to gather insights and best practices that can be applied in the United States.

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 (an 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.

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, NCQA’s Health Insurance Plan Rankings ranked Network Health as the third-highest Medicaid Health Plan in the United States. Since 2010, Network Health has ranked among the top 10 Medicaid health plans nationally, according to NCQA’s Health Insurance Plan Rankings — Medicaid.

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 Integrated Case Management Program” 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 health plan options, Massachusetts residents can call the Health Connector at 877-636-4654 (TTY: 877-623-7773), Monday through Friday, from 8:30 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.

About Eisenhower Fellowships
Eisenhower Fellowships is a private, nonprofit, non-partisan organization seeking to foster international understanding and leadership through the exchange of information, ideas, and perspectives among leaders throughout the world. Established in 1953 as a birthday tribute to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the organization has sponsored more than 2,000 Fellows from 108 countries. For more information, please visit: www.efworld.org.