NBJ PR Wire

New Multi-State Health Care Coalition to Provide Businesses Health Care Coverage

Release Date: November 15, 2007

Contact: Kelly Schwartz

Five Partnering Health Care Networks Create VentureNet Healthcare the Largest Regional Preferred Provider Organization in the Nation

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 14, 2007) - VentureNet Healthcare today announced it was formed by a partnership of five health care networks across the country. This regional coalition of five provider-governed, independent health care networks was created to offer its patients and corporate clients boundless access to high-quality, affordable health care across an eight state region.

The partnering networks, Arizona Foundation for Medical Care, California Foundation for Medical Care, First Choice Health, HealthCare Direct and Universal Health Network / Nevada Preferred Professionals, have created the largest regional preferred provider organization (RPPO) of its kind.

"By joining together to form this new entity, VentureNet Healthcare is able to provide its members with access to more than 93,000 providers, 670 hospitals and 10,000 ancillary services across an eight state region including Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington," said Tony Mitten, executive vice president of the Arizona Foundation for Medical Care. "This vast network provides businesses that have multi-state operations in this region with health care benefits packages that allows its members to access high-quality care anywhere in the region."

The expertise and offerings of the varying partners forming the coalition has given VentureNet Healthcare the ability to offer businesses flexible benefits packages that can include such features as utilization management, case management, disease management, maternity management, comprehensive wellness programs, employee assistance programs (EAP), health savings accounts, as well as many more.

For more information about VentureNet Healthcare or the custom health plans available for your business, please visit www.VentureNetHC.com.

About Arizona Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC):

Arizona Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) is the largest, Arizona-based, independent healthcare network committed to providing best practices to our customers by focusing on affordable, high-quality, comprehensive care and outstanding customer service. For over 35 years, AFMC has enhanced patient's overall quality of life by offering a full array of medical management programs which include case and disease management, as well as proactive efforts, which include a Web health portal and wellness program in addition to the 24-hour nurse care line. For additional information, call 1-800-624-4277 or visit www.azfmc.com.



About California Foundation for Medical Care (CFMC):

California Foundation for Medical Care (CFMC) is the largest independent provider network in California. With nearly 45 years of statewide experience, CFMC is a unique partnership of 16 local Foundations for Medical Care covering every county in California with 35,000+ directly contracted providers. This dynamic affiliation has created one of the most comprehensive California provider networks available in the marketplace today. Local direct contracts, local peer review and appeals, and working directly with the payers and providers sets CFMC apart in managing health care costs. For additional information, call

1-800-334-7341 or visit www.cfmcnet.org.



About Universal Health Network/Nevada Preferred Professionals:

Universal Health Network (UHN) and Nevada Preferred Professionals (NPP) are preferred provider organizations (PPO's) with corporate headquarters based in Reno, Nevada, and a satellite office located in Las Vegas. Both PPO networks are available throughout Nevada and surrounding border areas. Services include network access, repricing and utilization management, and also offer EPO options and Workers' Compensation networks in specific areas. Clients utilizing the services are insurance companies, self-funded employers, third party administrators (TPA's) and other managed care plans. NPP, the oldest PPO in Nevada, was established in 1982 with UHN being established May 1991, by Universal Health Services.



About First Choice Health:

First Choice Health is a Seattle-based, physician and hospital owned company that has served Washington and the Northwest since 1985. Well over one million people use First Choice Health products and services. First Choice Health's Preferred Provider Organization (PPO Network) is recognized as the leading independent PPO Network in Washington State and has a growing regional presence in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. In addition to PPO Networking, First Choice Health offers Medical Management Services, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and a Physician Assistance Program (PAP).



About Healthcare Direct:

HealthCare Direct is a premier network of physicians, hospitals and other medical providers throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana & Alaska focused exclusively on insured and self-funded health plans working together to contract directly with physicians, hospitals, and other medical providers. The combined PPO networks of Healthcare Direct and First Choice Health create the largest independent PPO network in the Northwest.





###

Back to NBJ PR Wire