My name is Nellie and I am a Member Services/Connections Representative for CeltiCare Health Plan.  By now, some of you may have seen me working within the community or have spoken to me over the phone through our Member Services Department.

Recently, I worked the 4^th Annual Channel 7NEWS FREE Health & Fitness Expo and would like to personally and on behalf of CeltiCare thank all of our members as well as non-members who stopped by our booth. Your inquiries and willingness to learn more about CeltiCare’s services contributed to making this event a huge success! 

 The turnout was outstanding, which illustrates how dedicated our population is about wellness, fitness, and health care.  People were waiting outside before 9:00 a.m., for the doors to open at 10:00 a.m., and during the two-day event the line at our booth did not subside!  We had a grand prize wheel, goodies, and an i-Pod raffle going on at the same time!  It was a thrill to interact with so many people and to showcase exactly what our health plan is all about.

CeltiCare is dedicated to being a part of all communities and as employees we feel privileged to be able to give back!  We have received amazing feedback from attendees, event coordinators, and the media.  Whether you are a CeltiCare Health Plan member or not, please look for us in the future, we would love to meet you!

 Again, thank you for all of the continued support!

ST. LOUIS, May 14 — CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts, a Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) subsidiary, today announced that the state of Massachusetts has renewed its contract to serve Commonwealth Care Bridge Program members, effective July 1, 2010. Under the contract, CeltiCare will continue to provide high-quality health insurance to Massachusetts residents enrolled in the Commonwealth Care Bridge Program, which serves the state’s legal immigrant population.

“We are pleased to continue working with the state and are committed to providing members of the Bridge program with access to excellent care and exceptional member service,” said Richard Lynch, President and CEO, CeltiCare. “Our members have expressed a high level of satisfaction with regard to the quality and value of care they have received and we look forward to working with the state of Massachusetts to bring our cost-effective, high-quality model to many more people.”

About CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts

Founded in 2009, Boston-based CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts is a managed care organization that provides high-quality, cost-effective health insurance to Massachusetts residents enrolled in the Commonwealth Care and Commonwealth Choice programs. CeltiCare is committed to helping its members achieve better health outcomes by providing high-quality benefits, services and wellness education. Backed by parent company Celtic Group, Inc., CeltiCare offers a new form of local managed care that is tailored to the needs of Massachusetts’ progressive healthcare system.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and long-term care, in addition to other state-sponsored programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). Centene’s CeltiCare subsidiary offers states unique “exchange-based” and other cost-effective coverage solutions for low-income populations. The Company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, managed vision, telehealth services, and pharmacy benefits management. More information regarding Centene is available at www.centene.com.

My name is Katie and I am a provider services representative for CeltiCare.  Before coming to CeltiCare in June of 2009, I had never worked in the health industry before.  I came to work for this company because I wanted to help people, and didn’t feel that fulfillment at my previous job.  My travel time to work used to be just ten minutes.  Now, my travel time is an hour and a half and traffic can be difficult at times, but I tend to forget about that when I get to the office and realize that it is all worth it.

Being directly involved in the day to day functions of provider offices gives me an appreciation for the hard work that they do. Not only do I appreciate the support that the provider offices are extending to our members, but our members appreciate it as well.

For example, for many of our members English is their second language. Many provider offices call frequently to access our telephone translation services for our members, in order to help them understand their benefits, medical conditions, or simply to help change their Primary Care Physicians. On many occasions the members do not even have an appointment that day! To me this shows a genuine care and concern for these patients, our members, and a commitment to ensuring that they are able to receive the care they are in need of. CeltiCare thanks them for that!

If you ever have any questions about provider services at CeltiCare, give us a call.  We’re here to help.

Thanks!

Katie Ferrara, Provider Service Representative

CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts

My name is Luisa Guerrero and I am a Member Service Representative at CeltiCare.  I recently moved to Massachusetts from Houston, Texas where I was born and raised.  Adjusting to New England life has been quite an adventure because the differences between Texas and Massachusetts are endless.   I have truly enjoyed soaking up the rich history, diverse culture and actually experiencing my first New England winter. When it comes to Massachusetts the weather is cooler and the people are definitely warmer!   One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Massachusetts is how much the state is devoted to taking care of its residents; specifically regarding providing healthcare coverage.  I came onboard at CeltiCare in September, 2009 and am excited to now be a part of a unique and growing company in the healthcare community.

The most common question we have been hearing from our members recently is, “I just received a Master Card in the mail. What is this?”  Since  July  we have issued   12,552   Benny Cards and the response has been overwhelming. Members are very pleased to discover that CeltiCare is helping them manage their healthcare expenses through the CentAccount program.  Members all agree that in today’s economy every little bit helps.  The members also appreciate the extra steps our Member Service Representatives take to assist them in the program; from filling out the Health Risk Screening form with them online, to calling the Benny Card Line and walking them through the card activation process. The Benny Card is not only allowing the members access to more resources with out-of-pocket medical expenses, but it is also helping CeltiCare understand and identify our members’ needs to better serve them, which is ultimately our goal.

I hope this helped let you know a little bit about what is going on here at CeltiCare.  Who knows, maybe the next time you call member services, I’ll be on the other end!

Have a great day.

Luisa,  Member Services Representative

Although our team is comprised of people who have worked in Massachusetts for a long time, CeltiCare’s presence in the healthcare market is relatively new to many people in the Massachusetts.  As a subsidiary of a national healthcare company, Centene, CeltiCare brings a combination of deep understanding of the local healthcare market along with experience from other markets around the country.  We have a sincere commitment to provide new coverage choices and exceptional member service.

We’ll offer contributions from a cross section of people here at CeltiCare including myself, members of the senior team, our customer service, medical management teams and many others.  We welcome your comments and appreciate your participation in our efforts to find new ways to add value to our members and the Massachusetts healthcare market while improving access and quality.

Kind Regards,

Richard Lynch, President & CEO, CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts

For existing members, everything that you were used to on our old site is still here – just take a look around.  We hope the changes are to your liking, and make it easier for you to get the information you need.

Please let us know your thoughts, and anything that we can do to make your web experience at www.celticarehealthplan.com better.

Kind Regards,

CeltiCare Team

If you need help finding a doctor near you, call CeltiCare member services department, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5 pm at (866)895-1786.

The following problems are a real emergency:

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath.
• Chest or upper abdominal (stomach) pain or pressure.
• Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness.
• Changes in vision.
• Confusion or changes in mental status.
• Any sudden or severe pain.
• Uncontrolled bleeding.
• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea.
• Coughing or vomiting blood.
• Thoughts of suicide.
• Difficulty speaking.

If you aren’t sure where to go for treatment, call your doctor’s office for advice, or call NurseWise^® 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (866)895-1786.

NurseWise is ready to answer your health questions 24 hours a day – everyday of the year. NurseWise is staffed with Registered Nurses. These nurses have spent lots of time caring for people. Now they are ready and eager to help you.

Remember, in cases of real emergency, please go to the nearest hospital immediately to seek medical attention.

During the year, CeltiCare will review our pharmacy program to ensure appropriate and improved services for our members.  Please note the below changes to your Preferred Drug List (PDL) that is available at www.celticarehealthplan.com under the members tab.

Commonwealth Care Type I PDL:

The following drugs have been added to list of covered drugs: 

Commonwealth Care Type II & III and Commonwealth Care Bridge PDLs:

The following drugs have been added to list of covered drugs:

Tier 1:

Lansoprazole

Tier 2:

Aricept ODT

Exforge HCT

Prevacid SoluTab

Zenpep

Tier 3:

Prevacid Capsule

If you have additional questions regarding the copayment amounts please contact CeltiCare Member Services at 1-866-895-1786.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

• The co-pay for the following diabetic supplies has been moved from Tier 2 to Tier 1 effective October 24^th, 2009.  The copayments for these supplies will now be $0.
  • Blood Glucose Monitoring Strips
  • Lancets
  • Insulin Syringes

Please refer to the Preferred Drug List for the Commonwealth Care Bridge Program for a complete list of supplies and the related copayments.

• Several brand name prescription drugs currently do not have a generic equivalent.  As a result, certain brand name drugs have been moved from Tier 2 to Tier 1 effective December 4^th, 2009.  The copayments for these drugs will now be $0.  Please refer to the Preferred Drug List for the Commonwealth Care Bridge Program for a complete list of prescription drugs and the related copayments.

If you have additional questions regarding the copayment amounts please contact CeltiCare Member Services at 1-866-895-1786.