HWPS Health Plan, Inc. Purchases Prevea Health Plan
MADISON – June 2nd, 2005 Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Insurance) announced it has formed WPS Health Plan, Inc., a new wholly owned health maintenance organization (HMO) subsidiary. This new subsidiary has purchased the assets of Prevea Health Plan, an HMO licensed in 13 Wisconsin counties with more than 33,000 current members. As a result of this purchase, the company’s name has changed to WPS Prevea Health Plan. WPS Prevea Health Plan will continue present business in-force and will operate as a stand-alone business. Prevea Health Plan staff members have become WPS Prevea Health Plan employees and will continue to operate out of the same office in Green Bay. Mark Minsloff will continue to lead the HMO as Chief Operating Officer of WPS Prevea Health Plan. “Customers will not be inconvenienced by this acquisition,” stated Minsloff. “Prevea Health Plan customers will stay on their current plans and receive the same outstanding customer service they have come to expect. They can continue to see the same physicians, go to the same hospitals and clinics, call the same customer service phone numbers, and have their claims paid out of the same office by the same staff that existed before. There is tremendous enthusiasm and belief that WPS offers significant resources both financially and operationally that will carry the HMO to new heights and provide us a strong future.” Minsloff added that the acquisition does not include or affect the current ownership or operations of Prevea Health Services, Prevea Health Network or Prevea Clinic. “WPS remains committed to providing the best possible health care financing options for Wisconsin business and citizens. Prevea Health Plan has excelled in terms of HMO options and services, having recently received the distinguished certification of excellence from NCQA. WPS now is in a position to offer quality HMO coverage to its customers in addition to PPO and indemnity products. We look forward to growing the HMO and providing the best services available to our clients,” stated Bill Bathke, WPS Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. WPS Health Insurance is a not-for-profit organization that has been providing quality health and benefit plan administration for businesses and individuals for nearly 60 years. WPS is one of the state’s largest health insurers and was founded by members of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin in order to help state residents who lacked proper medical insurance. Today, WPS, which has a Wisconsin network of more than 14,500 providers, 800 clinics and specialty care clinics and 129 hospitals, continues to address market needs by working closely with customers and health care providers. For more information about WPS Health Insurance, visit www.wpsic.com. FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Kris Naidl, (414) 276-6237 |
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