PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. was a provider of health insurance based in Cypress, California. It was acquired by UnitedHealth Group in December 2005.
 | |
| Industry | Health insurance |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983; 41 years ago (1983) |
| Founder | Samuel J. Tibbitts |
| Defunct | December 21, 2005; 18 years ago (2005-12-21) |
| Fate | Acquired by UnitedHealth Group |
| Headquarters | Cypress, California |
Number of employees | 7,500 |
The predecessor of the company was founded in 1978 by Samuel J. Tibbitts as a subsidiary of the Lutheran Hospital Society of Southern California.[1]
PacifiCare was incorporated in 1983.
In 1985, PacifiCare of Oregon was created.[2]
In 1993, Alan Hoops replaced Terry Hartshorn as president and CEO.[3] The company also acquired Freedom Plan, California Dental Health Plan, and Advantage Health Plans.[4]
In 1996, it acquired FHP.[5]
In December 2005, the company was acquired by UnitedHealth Group.[6] At that time, the company had 705,000 Medicare enrollees.[7]
It continued to market health plans under the PacifiCare and SecureHorizons names until 2011, when it changed to the UnitedHealthcare name.[8]
The company sponsored Newman/Haas Racing for the 2003 CART season, the 2004 Champ Car season, and the 2005 Champ Car season and donated to support The Painted Turtle.[9]