ROCKLEDGE, Fla., May 27, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Health First and Florida Hospital have finalized an agreement to offer health insurance products throughout Central Florida. Before finalizing this agreement, Florida Hospital and Health First had been working together bringing new Medicare Advantage plans to the residents of Volusia and Flagler Counties. These new Medicare Advantage plans, known as Florida Hospital Care Advantage, administered by Health First, launched in January 2014 with Florida Hospital and its affiliated physicians forming the network.
"Health First Health Plans is proud to partner with Florida Hospital to provide additional trusted health insurance products to Central Florida residents with access to world class medical professionals," said Steve Johnson, Health First's President & CEO. "As an Integrated Delivery Network, Health First is dedicated to keeping healthcare local, affordable and sustainable for the communities we serve and this partnership aligns with our goal."
Earlier this year, US News & World Report named Florida Hospital #1 in Florida. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has ranked Health First Health Plans as #2 in Florida and #34 in the nation for Medicare Advantage Plans, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded Health First Health Plans 4.5 out of 5 stars* for the fourth consecutive year.
According to Lars Houmann, President and CEO of Florida Hospital, "This partnership will be instrumental in helping Florida Hospital respond to healthcare reform and to achieve its vision of a leading a sustainable community health system that improves the experience of care, improves the health of our community and reduces the per-person cost of healthcare. We are excited to be partnering with Health First, and look forward to engaging community physicians in this effort."
With this agreement, the insurance products will be offered throughout Central Florida in different phases. The two Health Systems will continue to work together through Health First Health Plans and grow the partnership for possible future insurance products for residents in other growth areas of the state.
About Health First
Founded in 1995, Health First is Central Florida's only fully integrated delivery network (IDN) and employs more than 7,800 people. The integrator of its IDN is Health First Health Plans offering a wide variety of health insurance options across Central Florida. In addition it operates four hospitals (Cape Canaveral Hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center, Palm Bay Hospital and Viera Hospital) and is home to Brevard County's only Trauma Center. Health First Medical Group is the largest multi-specialty physician group on the Space Coast. Health First also offers numerous outpatient and wellness services, including Health First Aging Services, four Health First Pro-Health and Fitness Centers and Home and Hospice care. Visit www.myHEALTHFIRST.org for more information.
About Health First Health Plans
With more than 62,000 members and 19 years of experience serving the communities of Brevard, Flagler, Indian River and Volusia counties, Health First Health Plans offers multiple commercial and Medicare health plans. Health First Health Plans earned a 4.5 out of 5 star ranking for Medicare Advantage Plans from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality, has awarded Health First Health Plans an accreditation status of excellent – the highest possible level – for our Medicare and Group Plans. Health First Health Plans is also ranked #2 in Florida and #34 in the nation for our Medicare Advantage Plans in NCQA's Medicare Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2013-2014. Health First Health Plans is ranked #2 in Florida and #100 in the nation for Commercial HMO Plans in NCQA's Private Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2013-2014. Please visit www.myHFHP.org for more information.
About Florida Hospital
Opened in 1908, Florida Hospital is a faith-based institution focused on providing whole person care. It is one of the largest not-for-profit hospitals in the country, caring for more than two million patient visits per year – more than any other hospital in the country, according to the American Hospital Association. The Florida Division of Florida Hospital stretches from coast to coast with 23 hospitals and more than 4,600 patient beds. The division includes the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children, dozens of outpatient facilities and 21 Centra Care urgent care locations throughout Central Florida.
Florida Hospital provides a wide range of health services, including many nationally and internationally recognized programs in cardiology, cancer, women's medicine, neurosciences, diabetes, orthopedics, pediatrics, transplant and advanced surgical programs. Florida Hospital is a designated statutory teaching hospital and also trains physicians from all around the world on the newest technologies. Florida Hospital was ranked the #1 hospital in the state of Florida by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, please visit www.floridahospital.com. ;
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.
*Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.