Andover med center joins PHS network

Karen Shideler

Nov. 5, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Kansas Medical Center in Andover has signed a contract with Preferred Health Systems, making the medical center part of the PHS network.

The agreement became effective Sunday, the medical center said.

The agreement continues a string of similar announcements that have signaled an opening of the area's health insurance market in recent months.

Badr Idbeis, a cardiovascular surgeon and CEO of Kansas Medical Center, said the three-year contract is the medical center's first with PHS.

The center also is negotiating with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, he said.

For more than a decade, PHS and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas have had exclusive contracts, PHS with Via Christi Health facilities and Blue Cross with Wesley Medical Center. The two insurance companies have been the major insurers in the Wichita area.

Earlier this year, PHS signed an agreement with Galichia Heart Hospital that already is in effect. Via Christi and Blue Cross announced a contract, and Wesley and PHS followed suit. Both of those agreements take effect Jan. 1.

Kansas Medical Center is a 58-bed hospital on 21st Street about a mile east of the Sedgwick-Butler county line. It opened three years ago and provides all general hospital services except pediatrics and obstetrics. It has a 24-hour emergency department.

Idbeis said the PHS contract will be in place regardless of PHS's sale to Coventry Health Care. (NYSE:CVH)

That sale, announced in October, awaits approval. Representatives of both companies have said they expect it to be finalized in 90 to 120 days.

Coventry, which is based in Bethesda, Md., operates in all 50 states. Coventry Health Care of Kansas has offices in Kansas City, Mo., and Wichita, and its president and CEO has said he expects business to continue as usual after the sale.

PHS has 185,000 Kansas members who are served through its five subsidiaries: Preferred Health Care, Preferred Health Systems Insurance Co., Preferred Plus of Kansas, Kansas Health Plan and Preferred Benefits Administrator.

Reach Karen Shideler at 316-268-6674 or kshideler@wichitaeagle.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0218-39454662