Preferred Health System

Preferred Health Systems (PHS) was a prominent managed care organization based in Wichita, Kansas, that provided health insurance products and administrative services. Founded in 1985 and originally owned by Via Christi Health System, the company operated a large provider-owned network offering Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans. At its peak, it served hundreds of thousands of members across Kansas and surrounding regions. In 2009, the company was acquired by Coventry Health Care for approximately $113 million, and its operations were subsequently integrated into Coventry's national infrastructure, which was later acquired by Aetna.