FCHP expands affordable FCHP Direct Care network to Mount Auburn Hospital and Mount Auburn Cambridge IPA

Worcester, Mass., December 20, 2007—In response to a growing trend toward the need for more affordable health care options, Fallon Community Health Plan (FCHP) today announced plans to expand its unique and cost-effective FCHP Direct Care option. Effective January 1, 2008, physicians affiliated with Mount Auburn Hospital and the Mount Auburn Cambridge IPA will be added to the FCHP Direct network.

FCHP Direct Care is a popular choice for those who want a high-quality, cost-effective plan option that can save them up to an additional 15% premium savings over a similar HMO product. The FCHP Direct Care network also includes Acton Medical Associates, Charles River Medical Associates, Fallon Clinic, Lahey Clinic, Lawrence General Independent Practice, Lowell General Physician Hospital Organization, Northeast Physician Hospital Organization and Southboro Medical Group.

“At FCHP, we have long supported the high-quality and outstanding services provided by community-based hospitals and doctors,” said Patrick Hughes, Division President, Health Plan Operations, FCHP. “We’re pleased and proud to have Mount Auburn Hospital and the Mount Auburn Cambridge IPA provide care to our FCHP Direct Care members.”
Mount Auburn Hospital was founded in 1886 as the first hospital in Cambridge. Over the years, generations of committed individuals have dedicated their careers to achieving the vision of being the best community teaching healthcare system in the Boston area.

“Mount Auburn Hospital and the Mount Auburn Cambridge IPA are pleased to welcome FCHP Direct Care members to our medical community,” said Barbara Spivak, M.D., President of the Mount Auburn Cambridge IPA. “Through our relationship with Fallon Community Health Plan, we are able to continue our tradition of providing high quality, community-based medical care complimented by a top health plan that patients have come to know and trust.”

Lauren M. Petit
lauren.petit@fchp.org

About FCHP
Founded in 1977, Fallon Community Health Plan provides health care services designed to meet the unique and changing needs of all we serve. FCHP is the only health plan in Massachusetts that is both an insurer and provider of care. Our product portfolio includes a variety of group and individual health plan options (HMO, POS, PPO, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans) featuring flexible and innovative benefit designs. We administer fully-insured and self-insured funding arrangements with customized services for employers. Our uniquely developed provider networks offer high-quality, cost-effective, coordinated care and give our members access to doctors and hospitals throughout Massachusetts. We also offer a broad spectrum of services and programs to ensure our members, at every stage of life, remain as healthy and productive as possible. FCHP is a provider of care through its Summit ElderCareSM program, an advanced and completely integrated program that offers seniors and their caregivers an alternative to nursing home placement. Our continued commitment to deliver high-quality health care and exceptional customer service has earned FCHP consistent ratings as one of the nation’s top health plans, and in 2007, placed our Medicare and Medicaid health plans as the best in the nation. FCHP is the only health plan in Massachusetts to have been awarded “Excellent” Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for our HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products.