Company Notebook

HNE Files for Decrease in Premium Rates
SPRINGFIELD — Health New England (HNE) recently filed for a decrease in rates effective Oct. 1, 2011. HNE is the only plan in the state to have filed for a decrease. Juan Campbell, vice president of sales, noted in a statement that, over the past 16 months, HNE has experienced a “slowing in the rate of increase in costs and lower utilization of services which has lowered the overall medical trend.” Campbell added that medical trends drive approximately 90% of costs, while 10% covers administrative costs. “We are pleased to be in a position to pass on a reduction to individuals and employers,” he said. HNE, a provider-sponsored plan, is majority-owned by Baystate Health (approximately 97%), and the remaining 3% is held by independent practicing physicians in Western Mass. “We believe that to be successful in controlling health care costs requires a partnership between the health plan, the health care delivery system, and engagement with the member/patient,” added Peter Straley, HNE president and CEO.

Mercy Medical Center Scores High in Two National Rankings of Hospitals
SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center has been ranked in U.S. News Media & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” rankings, available online at www.usnews.com/besthospitals. The rankings, annually published by U.S. News for the past 22 years, will also be featured in the U.S. News Best Hospitals guidebook, which will go on sale August 30. The latest rankings showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 hospitals nationwide. Each is ranked among the country’s top hospitals in at least one medical specialty. Mercy ranked as high-performing in urology. “At Mercy Medical Center, we continuously strive for clinical excellence through the delivery of high-quality care. The U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of Mercy Medical Center among the nation’s best hospitals provides additional validation of our team’s success in providing the highest quality of patient care,” said Daniel Moen, president and CEO of the Sisters of Providence Health System. In other news, Mercy Medical Center has once again been recognized as a Top 100 Community Value hospital by Cleverley + Associates of Columbus, Ohio, a leading health care financial consulting firm specializing in operational benchmarking and performance-enhancement strategies. Mercy’s designation  is noted in the independent organization’s recent publication, State of the Hospital Industry — 2011 Edition. “The concept of health care value has become increasing important to payers, employers, and individuals, not just here in Massachusetts, but also across the country,” said Moen. “Mercy Medical Center’s reputation for providing high quality care at a reasonable cost has again been independently validated by the presentation of both the Community Value 100 and Community Value Five Star Awards. At  Mercy Medical Center, we believe that providing high-quality care is the right thing to do for our patients. As experts in medical economics have demonstrated, high-quality care actually costs less.”

Baystate Medical Center Recognized as a ‘High-performing Hospital’ in Report
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Medical Center is recognized as Massachusetts’ top hospital outside of Boston based on the most high-performing specialties, according to the latest edition of the U.S. News Media & World Reports 2011-12 Best Hospitals rankings. The rankings, annually published by U.S. News for the past 22 years, listed Baystate Medical Center as “high-performing” in the following specialties: cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, gynecology, nephrology, orthopedics, pulmonology, urology, and ear, nose, and throat. The latest rankings showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 hospitals nationwide. Each is ranked among the country’s top hospitals in at least one medical specialty and/or ranked among the best hospitals in its metro area. “We are proud to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report for the quality of care we provide to patients right here in Western Mass. Baystate Medical Center has invested significantly in our quality and safety programs, and we are gratified by this recognition,” said Dr. Evan Benjamin, the hospital’s senior vice president of Healthcare Quality.

Big Y Opens New Store in Meriden
SPRINGFIELD —  State and community officials attended a cake-cutting ceremony Aug. 25 as Big Y Foods opened its newest World Class Market at 533 South Broad St. in Meriden, Conn. The 55,500-square-foot market was completely refurbished after being vacated by its former operator. The new Big Y reflects today’s modern supermarket standards along with an in-store pharmacy, prepared meals section, and eat-in café. Bowdoin Construction of Needham served as general contractor for this expansion in conjunction with several local subcontractors for the completion of the $3 million project. As part of Big Y’s grand reopening celebration, 15 schools in Meriden will each receive a check for $500 as part of the company’s longstanding commitment to education.

WMECo, Employees Assist Tornado Victims
SPRINGFIELD — Western Massachusetts Electric Co. (WMECo) and its employees recently contributed $28,600 to the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter and the Salvation Army to assist victims of the severe storms and tornado that struck Western Mass. on June 1, and for future disaster relief initiatives. “Many of our customers experienced unprecedented losses and disruptions to their lives,” said Peter Clarke, WMECo president and CEO. “We’re privileged to be able to help those organizations that are providing such essential services to the residents of the affected communities.” A check for $13,600 will be presented to the Red Cross, and $15,000 will be donated to the Salvation Army. The contributions are from WMECo employees; members of the Greater Springfield Reliability Project team, including its contractor, Burns & McDonnell; and corporate donations.

Chicopee Savings Bank Awards Scholarships
CHICOPEE — The Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation recently awarded six scholarships, each for $3,000, to eligible high-school students attending one of eight participating high schools within the market area. Scholarships were awarded to Amanda Pierce, graduate of Ware Jr./Sr. High School; Allison O’Shea, Chicopee High School; Kyle Benoit, Ludlow High School; Kaitlyn Baranowski, South Hadley High School; Trent Domingos, Chicopee Comprehensive High School; and Alyssa Sawyer, West Springfield High School. For the fifth year, this program replaced the Chicopee Savings Bank Medallion Scholarship Program, which was established in 1976 in conjunction with the nation’s bicentennial celebration. After 30 years in existence, an estimated $80,000 was awarded to high-school students residing in Chicopee.

Credit Union, CES Create Partnership to Assist Students
AMHERST — The UMass Five College Credit Union and the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) have formed a unique partnership to provide loans to eligible students enrolled in the CES educator licensure and graduate programs. The collaborative offers programs leading to initial licensure in a wide variety of subjects, including high-need areas such as special education, English as a second language, science, and math. The loan offers a variable interest rate and terms up to seven years. Payment deferments are also available. The maximum loan amount is $20,000. Students enrolled in any CES program are eligible to join the credit union and apply for the financing opportunity. “Over the next few years, many teachers who are Baby Boomers are going to retire, opening up a lot of jobs in the educational field,” said Phyllis White, director of programs for the Franklin Hampshire Career Center. “With the new loan program, students enrolled in the collaborative’s licensure programs can get the financial help they need to enter teaching or school administration careers.” For more information on the loan program, visit www.umassfive.org/ces_student_loan. For more about the CES licensure program, visit www.techinmass.org.

MassMutual Webcast Attendance Up
SPRINGFIELD — More than 800 retirement-plan advisors and sponsors attended the recent “Plan Health and Retirement Readiness” webcast hosted by PLANSPONSOR magazine and sponsored by MassMutual Retirement Services. The informational webcast addressed two key challenges facing the retirement industry today — the importance of measuring plan health and helping plan participants prepare for retirement. Presenters reviewed the critical characteristics of the new retirement plan and discussed ways that plan advisors and sponsors can help improve overall plan health, prepare participants for retirement, and fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities. An integral part of this framework, the MassMutual PlanSmart Analysis report, allows advisors and sponsors to gauge the health of a plan by assessing the percentage of employees likely to have enough income in retirement. And for participants, the RetireSmart Ready tool provides a simple way to assess their personal level of retirement readiness. “The outstanding attendance of this webcast signifies how important the topics of plan health and retirement readiness are to the retirement services industry today,” said Elaine Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC.

Central Scores High in Ranking of High Schools
SPRINGFIELD — The Washington Post recently recognized Springfield Central High School among the top of all academic high schools in the United States, citing the school’s strong commitment to preparing students for college as a key factor in its rating. Principal Thaddeus Tokarz said the school is elated by the good news. “This is a huge accomplishment and a testament to all of the tireless hours our students and staff put in every day,” said Tokarz, adding that the ranking places Central in the nation’s top 5% of high schools. “It affirms we are on the right track toward our goal to be one of the top high schools in the country by 2015. This is a terrific step along the way.” The ranking by the Post places the school as one of the top 1,900 academic high schools in the country, and identifies the school as a national leader in college preparation. Over the past five years, the number of Central High School students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses more than doubled going from 222 to 517. And Central High School students’ performance on Advanced Placement examinations outpaces the national average. Advanced Placement classes are college-level courses that earn high school students college credit upon successful completion.