Care1st Health Plan

Care1st Health Plan was a managed care organization headquartered in Monterey Park, California, that specialized in providing health insurance services for government-sponsored programs. Founded in 1994 by a group of healthcare providers, the company primarily served Medicaid (Medi-Cal) and Medicare beneficiaries, focusing on coordinated care for vulnerable and underserved populations. In 2015, Blue Shield of California acquired the company for approximately $1.25 billion to facilitate its entry into the Medi-Cal market. Following the acquisition, the California operations were eventually rebranded as Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. Additionally, Care1st's Arizona-based operations were acquired by WellCare Health Plans in 2017. The organization was recognized for its integrated care management models and its extensive network of community-based providers.