Premier Health Plan is now UCI Health Plan Network

New name reflects affiliation with UCI Health and continued commitment to independent community physicians

Orange, Calif. — Premier Health Plan is now UCI Health Plan Network following the acquisition of the organization by UCI Health and required regulatory approvals from the state of California.

UCI Health Plan Network is a separate legal entity and limited Knox-Keene health plan affiliated with UCI Health. The new name reflects that affiliation while maintaining the organization’s distinct legal and regulatory responsibilities.

UCI Health Plan Network supports national commercial and Medicare Advantage products and works with independent community physicians across Orange County and southeast Los Angeles County. The organization remains focused on supporting participating physicians through payor contracting, administrative support and care coordination while preserving independent practice.

UCI Health Plan Network’s approach centers on three areas designed to support independent community physicians and strengthen patient care:

• Trusted local partnership: UCI Health Plan Network is designed around the needs of independent physician practices. Locally based medical directors provide peer-to-peer support, and the Physician Advisory Committee provides physician input into network priorities and operations.
• Contracting and care coordination: UCI Health Plan Network provides payor contracting and administrative support and helps facilitate coordination across participating providers so physicians can remain focused on patient care.
• Academic connection: Through its affiliation with UCI Health, Orange County’s only academic health system, UCI Health Plan Network can help facilitate connections with UCI Health specialists and other clinical resources when appropriate and consistent with a member’s health plan coverage, applicable network arrangements and contractual requirements.

For physicians currently participating in UCI Health Plan Network, the name change itself does not alter existing physician participation arrangements or practice autonomy. The acquisition and new name are part of a multi-year growth strategy at UCI Health focused on expanding access, strengthening community relationships and supporting models of care designed to improve quality, coordination and value. The UCI Health Plan Network provides another opportunity to strengthen connections between independent community physicians and the resources of Orange County’s only academic health system.

“The UCI Health Plan Network reflects our commitment to supporting independent community physicians while strengthening connections across the healthcare delivery system,” said Chad T. Lefteris, president and CEO of UCI Health.

“The acquisition of UCI Health Plan Network creates opportunities to build on our strong local physician relationships and strengthen the health plan’s connections to the resources of Orange County’s only academic health system,” said Doug Niedzwiecki, president for UCI Health Plan Network.

“Looking ahead, our focus remains on supporting independent physician practices and advancing coordinated, high-quality care for the communities we serve.”