Senior Health Plan Expands Into Bay Area

Online, September 26, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Residents in San Francisco and Alameda counties will have a new choice for Medicare Advantage beginning in January, thanks to a new partnership between Care1st Health Plan, Brown & Toland Physicians, and Alta Bates Medical Group.

"Our health plan delivers an extraordinary benefit to the senior community and we are excited to expand our services to San Francisco and Alameda counties," said Anna Tran, Care1st's chief executive officer. "With this expansion, Bay Area seniors on Medicare will have even more comprehensive coverage than traditional Medicare provides. "

With Care 1st Health Plan's approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer Medicare Advantage programs in San Francisco and Alameda County beginning January 1, 2013, residents in these two counties will now have more choice when selecting Medicare Advantage coverage for 2013.

"We are delighted to add Care1st Health Plan to our network of health plans offering the Medicare Advantage product to our members on both sides of the Bay," said Richard Fish, Brown & Toland's chief executive officer. "The Care1st philosophy, in which the patient comes first, aligns very closely with Brown & Toland's philosophy that care is best when physicians, and patients, make important health care decisions together."

Members who select a Care1st Medicare Advantage product will now have access to more than 850 physicians in Brown & Toland (San Francisco) or 600 physicians in the Alta Bates Medical Group (Alameda County).

About Care1st
Based in based in Monterey Park, Calif., Care1st Health Plan was founded in 1994 by a group of physicians from private practice, medical groups, and hospitals to create a "pro-patient" health plan. Today, the health plan provides Medicare Advantage coverage to more than 400,000 people in both California and Arizona.