Physicians health choice
Encyclopedia
Physicians Health Choice (PHC) is a physician-owned Medicare Advantage Organization contracted with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS). Founded by George M. Rapier III
, MD, Physicians Health Choice evolved from WellMed Medical Management and offers health plans in Arkansas
, Florida
, New Mexico
and Texas
.
and Austin
were the first areas that the health plan became available. In subsequent years other markets were added. Between 2006 and 2008, surrounding Amarillo counties
, as well as area El Paso counties, and Cameron County
located in the Rio Grande Valley
of Texas were introduced as service areas. Counties surrounding Las Cruces, New Mexico
were also added during this period. In 2009, several areas outside of Texas will become available including counties surrounding Little Rock, AR and at least two counties in eastern Florida
.The Medicare Advantage Plan is currently operating in these markets:
On April 13, 2010, it was announced that PHC of Florida, a Physicians Health Choice subsidiary, had acquired Florida's Citrus Health Care. Citrus Health serves 10,000 Medicare Advantage members and 44,000 Medicaid plan participants.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services , previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration , is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state governments to administer...
(CMS). Founded by George M. Rapier III
George M. Rapier III
George M. Rapier III, M.D., serves as Chairman and CEO of WellMed Medical Management, Inc., a diversified healthcare company that is one of the fastest growing enterprises in the nation and Physicians Health Choice, a physician-owned Medicare Advantage Organization contracted with the Centers for...
, MD, Physicians Health Choice evolved from WellMed Medical Management and offers health plans in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
History
PHC was officially introduced in two Texas markets in 2005. Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
and Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
were the first areas that the health plan became available. In subsequent years other markets were added. Between 2006 and 2008, surrounding Amarillo counties
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is the 14th-largest city, by population, in the state of Texas, the largest in the Texas Panhandle, and the seat of Potter County. A portion of the city extends into Randall County. The population was 190,695 at the 2010 census...
, as well as area El Paso counties, and Cameron County
Cameron County, Texas
Cameron County is the southernmost county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 406,220. Its county seat is Brownsville. Cameron was founded in 1848...
located in the Rio Grande Valley
Rio Grande Valley
The Rio Grande Valley or the Lower Rio Grande Valley, informally called The Valley, is an area located in the southernmost tip of South Texas...
of Texas were introduced as service areas. Counties surrounding Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces, also known as "The City of the Crosses", is the county seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 97,618 in 2010 according to the 2010 Census, making it the second largest city in the state....
were also added during this period. In 2009, several areas outside of Texas will become available including counties surrounding Little Rock, AR and at least two counties in eastern Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.The Medicare Advantage Plan is currently operating in these markets:
- Texas - Austin, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Harlingen
- Arkansas - Little Rock
- New Mexico - Las Cruces
- Florida - Ft. Lauderdale
On April 13, 2010, it was announced that PHC of Florida, a Physicians Health Choice subsidiary, had acquired Florida's Citrus Health Care. Citrus Health serves 10,000 Medicare Advantage members and 44,000 Medicaid plan participants.