WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Firefly Health – a health plan and virtual-first care innovator – today announced the Honorable Karyn Polito, former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, as the newest member of the Firefly Advisory Council. She joins individuals such as Brian Marcotte, the former president and CEO of the Business Group on Health. The Advisory Council is a group of professionals with a wide variety of knowledge from the worlds of healthcare benefits, brokers/consultants, employers, government, business, and those we serve – all brought together to provide outside guidance to the benefit of Firefly, its users, product, and growth strategy. Polito’s experience managing public health, including leading the Commonwealth through the Covid-19 pandemic and her extensive network throughout the state of Massachusetts bring essential expertise as Firefly expands its benefit offerings and partnerships throughout the Commonwealth.
“Karyn Polito has spent over two decades serving the state of Massachusetts, giving voices to underrepresented people and places, focusing on delivering access and opportunity across the state. We are honored to welcome her to the Firefly Advisory Council,” said Firefly Health CEO, Fay Rotenberg. “Her commitment to reform and innovation aligns with our mission to transform healthcare in a way that leads with patient care while utilizing technology to its fullest extent.”
Polito served as the 72nd Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from January 2015 to January 2023 in partnership with Governor Charlie Baker. During her eight years of service, the Baker-Polito Administration advanced key healthcare programs, introducing comprehensive healthcare legislation to strengthen the Commonwealth’s healthcare system by increasing access to care and controlling costs for families. The administration championed legislation to expand access to primary care services and hold drug companies accountable for excessive prices and lacking transparency, all while supporting the continued work of community hospitals and community health centers. Their work with healthcare providers and professionals to improve behavioral health services resulted in the Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform – which provided proper treatment for individuals when they needed it by identifying the demand for expanded access to treatment, more effective treatment, and improved health equity.
“Firefly Health shares my passion for improving healthcare, access, quality and affordability and I am excited to work with an organization that meets people where they are as we adapt to life post pandemic,” said Karyn Polito. “As I continue my service beyond my time as Lieutenant Governor, I look forward to strengthening my existing relationships with exceptional leaders who are invested in their communities and forging new partnerships with innovators like the Firefly team who are working to address key issues here in Massachusetts and in places across the country.”
Polito’s partnership follows an earlier announcement of Firefly Health’s partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross MA) as the company’s new virtual primary care option, creating an option for members in the state to access Firefly care options via their health plan. Blue Cross MA is the trusted health plan provider across Massachusetts’ cities and school districts – with 79% of municipalities across the state utilizing Blue Cross.
About Firefly Health
Firefly Health delivers a refreshingly personal and convenient healthcare experience. Firefly offers a health plan for self-funded employers that integrates care, coverage, and navigation, and a virtual advanced primary care service for care anytime, anywhere. By engaging members early and often, Firefly develops trust and rapport so members always know where to turn. And it works.
Firefly routinely earns high satisfaction ratings from members, with a 70+ Net Promoter Score (NPS). Member health outcomes for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, and depression are 50-80% higher than industry benchmarks. It’s all proof that meaningful engagement builds trust. And trust leads to real results. Learn more at www.firefly.health.
