FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

For more information on this press release, contact:                        Lynn Ostrowski lostrowski@hne.com; 413-233-3383

Health New England (HNE) Welcomes Lahey Clinic to our Provider Network

 One of the most important components of any health insurance product is the network of hospitals and physicians available to the members. HNE is very pleased to welcome Lahey Clinic to our commercial product provider network, effective immediately. Lahey Clinic is a physician-led, nonprofit group practice. Over 500 physicians and more than 4,500 nurses, therapists and other support staff work together to provide compassionate care and superior patient outcomes. The Clinic’s multidisciplinary approach allows patients access to preeminent physicians from virtually every medical specialty, who cooperate to develop personalized treatment plans for each patient.

 “HNE is excited about our partnership with Lahey Clinic. This partnership allows us to provide the very best specialty care to our members when they need to go outside the area. Lahey Clinic shares in our mission of improving the health and life of the people we serve. Like HNE, Lahey Clinic has been recognized by U.S.News & World Report. HNE was recognized as one of the top 10 health plans in the country and Lahey Clinic is ranked as one of the top hospitals in the nation for excellence in urology by U.S.News & World Report in the 2010-11 ‘America’s Best Hospitals,” said Peter Straley, HNE President & CEO.

 Lahey Clinic has received many awards and recognitions, including Nursing Magnet Hospital Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in August of 2009. Lahey is one of only about 5 percent of hospitals worldwide to have achieved Magnet status. Baystate Medical Center, also in HNE’s provider network has also received Magnet® recognition for excellence in nursing care. Lahey Clinic is designated as a primary stroke service by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. In 2010, Lahey’s Stroke Service received the American Stroke Association’s Get With the Guidelines®—Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award. The award recognizes commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients according to evidence-based guidelines. These are but a sampling of Lahey Clinic’s awards and recognitions.

 “This agreement formalizes Lahey Clinic’s longstanding relationship with HNE. All of our caregivers look forward to working with HNE primary care and specialty physicians to provide a wide range of high quality specialty services to its members. This kind of clinical collaboration translates to the highest quality care and customer service,” said Howard R. Grant, JD MD, Lahey President and CEO.

 About Lahey Clinic

Lahey Clinic is a physician-led, nonprofit group practice providing quality health care in virtually every adult specialty and subspecialty, from primary care to cancer diagnosis and treatment to kidney and liver transplantation. The Lahey Clinic health care system is comprised of medical centers in Burlington, Lexington, and Peabody, Mass., as well as more than a dozen community primary care and specialty care locations throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

 About HNE

Health New England (HNE) is your local managed care organization based right here in downtown Springfield at One Monarch Place. Today HNE employs 270 associates and over 5,000 employers and 120,000 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. It is our mission is to provide for the health care needs of our members, deliver superior value, and act as a leading corporate citizen.  We are committed to the health and well being of our members and the communities we serve. We work with care and service providers to foster partnerships that support the diverse needs of the people here in Western Massachusetts.