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LOS ANGELES--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--[ Health Net of California, Inc. ], a subsidiary of [ Health Net, Inc. ] (NYSE: HNT), announced today that its HMO, POS, PPO, Healthy Families Program and Medicaid lines of business have been awarded the Multicultural Health Care (MHC) Distinction by the National Committee for Quality Assurance ([ NCQA ]). This national distinction recognizes organizations that lead the market in providing culturally and linguistically sensitive services, and working to reduce health care disparities.

"Achieving the NCQAas Multicultural Health Care Distinction confirms and acknowledges our commitment to help make health care work for all members a" from our comprehensive language assistance program to our quality improvement and medical management efforts that address health care disparities."

aAt Health Net, we believe that cultural competency is a critical component of a high quality health care system,a said [ Steve Sell ], president, Western Region Health Plan and president, Health Net of California. aAchieving the NCQAas Multicultural Health Care Distinction confirms and acknowledges our commitment to help make health care work for all members a" from our comprehensive language assistance program to our quality improvement and medical management efforts that address health care disparities.a

To date, only seven health plans nationwide have earned the MHC Distinction. Of those, four plans received the distinction only for their Medicaid product, while three others were awarded the distinction for their commercial HMO and Medicare HMO products.

aEveryone at Health Net is proud of becoming the first health plan in California to receive the MHC Distinction for our Medi-Cal product, for our commercial PPO products, and for multiple lines of business that include commercial HMO, POS, PPO and Medicaid,a Sell continued. aAnd by continuously expanding the diversity of Health Netas provider network, further developing our robust cultural and linguistic services, and enhancing efforts around health care disparities, we remain committed to improving the services we provide to our diverse customer populations.a

Health Net of Californiaas Multicultural Health Care Distinction, which is reflected in Health Netas [ NCQA scorecard ], is valid through January 2014. Its Medicare line of business has received the aExcellenta accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Health Net of Californiaas commercial HMO/POS and PPO lines of business (offered by Health Net Life Insurance Company) and Health Net of Californiaas Medicaid line of business have received the aCommendablea accreditation status.

About NCQA

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers.

About Health Net

Health Net of California, a subsidiary of Health Net Inc., is one of the largest health plans in the state. Together with Health Net Life Insurance Company, it serves more than 2.2 million members statewide and contracts with more than 67,000-plus physicians, 300-plus hospitals and 5,000-plus pharmacies, giving its members greater choice and more convenient access to care. For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit Health Netas website at [ www.healthnet.com ].