Top-rated health insurance carrier will offer Medicare Advantage as a new choice

Health New England (HNE), a nonprofit health insurance carrier based in Western Massachusetts will expand its Medicare Advantage service network to include Hartford County, Connecticut as of January 1, 2015.

Having received a license from the Connecticut Department of Insurance, HNE will be a strategic partner with Hartford HealthCare, and will work with other providers in Hartford County. HNE plans to enter the Connecticut health insurance market for January 1, 2015, offering Medicare Advantage plan options. HNE associates are meeting with and creating relationships with key individuals in the Hartford community to learn about the Connecticut marketplace.

“We’re excited to bring our 4.5-Star Medicare Advantage Plans to our neighbors in Connecticut,” said Jody Gross, Vice President of Sales for Health New England. “In the past we’ve heard from Connecticut residents in towns bordering Massachusetts, expressing interest in our plans. Now we’re here, eager to build relationships and deliver the great care and service that our members expect from us.”

One of the most important components of any health insurance product is the network of hospitals and physicians available to the members. Through its strategic partnership with Hartford HealthCare (HHC), a statewide leader in providing high-quality, patient-centered care, HNE is poised for a strong entry into the Medicare Advantage market in Hartford County.

“By working collaboratively with Health New England and focusing on improved care coordination and preventive care, we will lead the movement toward higher-quality care, better health and an enhanced patient experience,” said Dr. James Cardon, CEO of Hartford HealthCare’s Integrated Care Partners, a physician-led clinical integration organization that will play a critical role in improving how patient care is delivered by working to remove barriers to the coordination of patient care.

About Health New England
Health New England is a non-profit health insurer based in downtown Springfield at One Monarch Place. Today, HNE employs over 300 associates and over 5,000 employers and 140,000 members choose HNE as their health insurer. HNE offers a diverse product line with plans for the employer and individual markets, Medicare and Medicaid recipients. HNE’s mission is to provide for the health care needs of its members, deliver superior value, and act as a leading corporate citizen. HNE has a strong commitment to the health and well being of its members and the communities it serves, working with local care and service providers to foster partnerships that support the diverse needs of all of their customers.

About Hartford HealthCare
Hartford HealthCare is Connecticut’s most comprehensive health care network. Hartford HealthCare’s fully integrated health system includes a tertiary-care teaching hospital, an acute-care community teaching hospital, an acute-care hospital and trauma center, two community hospitals, the state’s most extensive behavioral health services network, a statewide clinical laboratory operation, a large primary care physician practice group, a regional home care system, an array of senior care services, a coordinated cancer institute with five cancer centers, and a large physical therapy rehabilitation network. Integrated Care Partners is Hartford HealthCare’s physician-led clinical integration organization that will play a critical role in improving how patient care is delivered. As a community of physicians, Integrated Care Partners will define performance objectives, quality standards and evidence-based medicine protocols; forge partnerships with health plans, employers and providers; and establish requirements for participation – all with the ultimate goal of providing high-quality, coordinated patient care and improving the overall health of populations.