The Health First family  first began in 1995, when three not-for-profit hospitals—Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, and Palm Bay Hospital in Palm Bay—united to form a seamless system devoted to integrating quality healthcare services with state-of-the-art technology for the betterment of our community.

Two new divisions, Health First Health Plans and Health First Physicians, were created in 1996 to complete the spectrum of healthcare services for Florida’s Space Coast.

Since then, the Health First family has grown to include outpatient centers; the county’s only trauma center; home care; specialized programs for cancer, heart, stroke, and aging; and also rehabilitative services. The newest campus, Viera Health Park is home to our fourth Pro-Health & Fitness Center, and Viera Hospital is scheduled to open in 2011.

Health First Health Plans has grown to be Brevard’s largest commercial health insurer. Milestones include:

• December 1995: Received Certificate of Authority from Florida Department of Insurance.
• January 1996: First commercial members.
• April 1997: Received Medicare+Choice contract.
• 1998: Received NCQA “New Plan” accreditation.
• 2000 and 2003: Received NCQA “Commendable” accreditation.
• 2004: Implemented direct access — PCP referrals to network specialists no longer required.
• 2004: Introduced high-deductible health plans compatible with Health Savings Accounts.
• 2005: Introduced Care Level Management physician home visit program for medically-fragile homebound senior members.
• 2006: Introduced Health Dialog medical management program.
• 2006: Achieved “Excellent” accreditation status, the highest available from NCQA.
• 2006: US News & World Reports and NCQA ranked our Medicare plans 24th in the nation on their list of “America’s Best Health Plans 2006.” Only one other Medicare plan in the southeast ranked higher. Also, our commercial plans were ranked 96th, with only one other plan in Florida ranking higher.
• 2007: Began including Pro-Health & Fitness Center memberships as a covered benefit for small group subscribers.
• 2007: Ranked 27th out of 192 Medicare plans surveyed for quality by U.S. News & World Reports and NCQA, and 97th out of 314 commercial plans. No other Medicare plan in Florida ranked higher, and only one other commercial plan in Florida ranked higher.
• 2008: Began including Pro-Health & Fitness Center memberships as a covered benefit for all group members.
• 2008: Call Center recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for providing “An Outstanding Customer Service Experience.”*
• 2008: Ranked 22nd in the nation for Medicare and 60th for commercial plans by U.S. News & World Reports and NCQA.
• 2009: Achieved “Excellent” accreditation status, the highest available from NCQA.
• 2009: Named in Florida Trend business magazine as One of Florida’s Best Companies To Work For.
• 2009: Call Center recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for providing “An Outstanding Customer Service Experience.”*
• 2009: Ranked 31st in the nation for Medicare and 60th for commercial plans by U.S. News & World Reports and NCQA.
• 2010: Call Center recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for providing “An Outstanding Customer Service Experience.”*

* For J.D. Power and Associates Call Center Certification Program(SM) information, visit www.jdpower.com .

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