PacifiCare Health Systems
PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. was a provider of health insurance based in Cypress, California. It was acquired by UnitedHealth Group in 2005.
History
The predecessor of the company was founded in 1978 by Samuel J. Tibbitts as a subsidiary of the California Hospital [Medical Center|Lutheran Hospital Society of Southern California]. PacifiCare was incorporated in 1983.In 1985, PacifiCare of Oregon was created. In 1993, Alan Hoops replaced Terry Hartshorn as president and CEO. The company also acquired Freedom Plan, California Dental Health Plan, and Advantage Health Plans. In 1996, it acquired FHP.
In December 2005, the company was acquired by UnitedHealth Group. At that time, the company had 705,000 Medicare enrollees.
The company continued to market health plans under the PacifiCare and SecureHorizons names until 2011, when it changed to the UnitedHealthcare name.