Partners National Health Plans

Partners National Health Plans was a prominent managed care joint venture established in 1985 through a partnership between Aetna Life & Casualty and Voluntary Hospitals of America (VHA). The organization was created to develop a national network of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs), utilizing VHA's extensive network of non-profit hospitals. By the late 1980s, it had grown into one of the largest managed care systems in the United States, providing health coverage to over one million members. In 1990, Aetna acquired VHA's 50% interest in the venture for approximately $26 million, subsequently integrating the operations into its core managed care business. Today, the entity continues to exist as a subsidiary within the Aetna (CVS Health) portfolio, often operating under regional names such as Partners National Health Plans of North Carolina.