Detailed Press Releases


First Service Administrators Appoints Lindsey Jarrell to Board of Directors

Lakeland, Fla. – (May 27, 2010) – First Service Administrators Inc. (FSAI), a leading risk management administrator for hospitals, healthcare systems and mid to large-sized self-funded employer groups, announced the appointment of Lindsey Jarrell to its board of directors. Jarrell, a leading professional in health information technology, brings highly relevant industry experience and expertise to FSAI.

As an accomplished health IT leader, Jarrell has over 15 years of experience in clinical transformation, strategic planning, process improvement and CIO management. Jarrell has served on the executive committees for both fast-growing IT companies and large integrated healthcare providers, including one with 17,000 employees.

"I am honored to have Lindsey join our board," said Chandler Rapson, president and CEO of FSAI. "His knowledge and insight regarding IT infrastructure, hospital systems and the healthcare industry as a whole make Jarrell a tremendous asset to FSAI. He has a gift for bringing simplicity to the most complex IT issues and helping others understand and engage in the discussion. He will contribute greatly to our vision and overall strategy for FSAI. His background brings a nice balance to our board of directors. This is an incredible win for FSAI."

Currently, Jarrell is co-founder of Source88. Before starting this firm, Jarrell was the senior vice president and chief information officer for BayCare Health System in Tampa, Florida. He also served as executive vice president and associate partner for Healthlink, a large IT consulting firm acquired by IBM in 2005.

Jarrell is an accomplished speaker and holds several professional affiliations, including fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. In 2009, Jarrell was the recipient of the CHIME-AHA Transformational Leadership award.

About FSAI
FSAI is a full-service third-party administrator (TPA) providing actionable healthcare analytics, risk management tools and systems technology outsourcing solutions to hospitals, healthcare systems, government programs and mid to large-sized employer groups. FSAI is the largest, independently-owned TPA operating in Florida with 25 years of experience in identifying emerging trends, controlling claims costs and implementing successful healthcare management strategies for its self-funded partners.


FSAI CEO: Healthcare Reform Efforts Doomed to Fail if Lack of Free Market Competition,
Ineffective Wellness Efforts Are Not Addressed

LAKELAND, Fla. – (Aug. 5, 2009) – Reform measures as currently proposed cannot fix the nation’s broken healthcare system because they fail to address the core problems:  lack of free market competition and the failure of wellness initiatives to reduce the prevalence and severity of chronic conditions, which consume the majority of healthcare dollars.

That is the message Chandler J. Rapson, CEO of First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI), a leading third party administrator for hospitals, healthcare systems and public entities, is urging the benefits administration industry to send to policy makers before it is too late.

“Restoring free market competition by ending monopolies that create situations like we have in Florida, where two carriers control nearly 90% of the state’s health insurance market, as well as passing ‘any willing provider’ legislation and mandating transparency is critical to fixing what is broken in the system. Equally critical is coupling insurance reform with truly effective wellness programs that encourage personal responsibility and accountability,” said Rapson. “Unfortunately, because these key issues are not addressed, current healthcare reform efforts are little more than subsidized coverage. They are doomed to fail and will cost taxpayers dearly in the process.”

Echoing the fixes highlighted in “The Six Ways to Fix Our Healthcare System,” a healthcare reform position paper issued in July by AmWINS Group Benefits President Samuel H. Fleet, Rapson called upon policy makers to focus reform efforts on:

      • Restoring free market competition:  In addition to ending monopolies by individual carriers, which typically control 80-90% of a market, healthcare reform must address the need for transparency in the provider contracting process and mandate that networks be open to any provider willing to accept the same terms as those already in networks. It must also include price standardization and publication of quality ratings in meaningful, user-friendly formats. “It goes beyond leveling the competitive playing field,” said Rapson. “Healthcare reform must eliminate the monopolies that have carriers focused more on profits and locking out competition than on ensuring that their provider networks deliver quality care. It must pave the way for consumers to choose their payers and providers based on quality and preference rather than price.”
      • Implementing effective wellness initiatives:  With chronic conditions now affecting 125 million Americans and consuming 75% of the nation’s $2 trillion in medical costs, it is clear that the wellness programs offered by 90% of private health plans are failing to drive necessary change in consumer behaviors. By following a proven model that utilizes predictive modeling, early intervention and personalized education and support coupled with meaningful rewards and penalties, wellness programs can succeed at driving down the costs associated with chronic conditions. “It’s about incentivizing consumers to assume personal responsibility for management of their health,” said Rapson. “By giving them the tools and holding them accountable for their behaviors, consumers will respond by making the lifestyle changes necessary to positively impact their health.”

For example, the wellness programs offered by FSAI utilize predictive modeling to analyze employee populations and identify excessive healthcare costs and their drivers. Best-of-class risk management tools and cost containment strategies are then utilized to reduce a client’s overall healthcare spend. Health risk assessments and personalized wellness communications are also provided to motivate employees and promote healthier lifestyles. The results are improved compliance with recommended follow up and clinical tests, delivering a measurable decline in emergency room visits and inpatient admissions, as well as significant savings in prescription medication expenses and costs associated with provider networks.

“These are the kinds of outcomes policy makers must focus on if they truly intend to reform the healthcare system. Any actions taken without addressing competition and wellness will be done at the peril of taxpayers and patients,” said Rapson.

Acknowledging the efforts of the Society of Professional Benefits Administrators (SPBA) to serve as “the eyes and ears of the industry,” as well as the work of fellow third-party administrators AmWINS, ENTRUST and IMA of Louisiana to draw attention to the serious competitive inequities plaguing the healthcare system, Rapson urged others to “step up and demand to be heard. We have the solution. It is upon all of us to ensure our legislative leaders understand why and how to apply that solution to repairing the nation’s broken healthcare system.”

About FSAI
As a leading third party benefits administrator, FSAI has been providing exceptional customer service, innovative thinking and cost-effective healthcare solutions to hospitals, healthcare systems and public entities since 1985. FSAI offers a fresh, flexible approach to benefits administration tailoring its suite of superior healthcare cost management services to each client’s specific needs. FSAI is committed to enhancing the physical and financial well-being of clients and their employees through a powerful combination of efficient plan administration, network management, predictive modeling tools, and life-enriching wellness and disease management programs. For more information, visit www.myfsai.com.


First Service Administrators, Inc. Reaches Agreement with Lee Memorial Health System

Lakeland, FL (July 23, 2009) – First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI), a leading third party benefits administrator for hospitals, healthcare systems and public entities, has signed a contract with Lee Physician Hospital Organization (Lee PHO), a provider network that is part of Lee Memorial Health System (LMHS).  This network gives access to Lee PHO medical services and facilities.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to offer our comprehensive network of physicians to select FSAI partners,” said Anne Rose, Executive Director for the Lee PHO.

Under the contract, FSAI plan participants will gain access to nearly 900 physicians. They will also receive preferred in-network rates for covered inpatient and outpatient services at all six LMHS facilities — Lee Memorial Hospital, The Rehabilitation Hospital, The Children’s Hospital, HealthPark Medical Center, Cape Coral Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center.

“We’re excited to announce our partnership with Lee PHO,” stated Kathleen Sullivan, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FSAI. “Lee PHO provides outstanding care and quality medical services to the community. Now, FSAI is building on our long-term relationship with Lee PHO to deliver these same valuable services to our clients throughout southwest Florida.”

About FSAI
As a leading third party benefits administrator, FSAI has been providing exceptional customer service, innovative thinking and cost-effective healthcare solutions to hospitals, healthcare systems and public entities since 1985. FSAI offers a fresh, flexible approach to benefits administration tailoring its suite of superior healthcare cost management services to each client’s specific needs. FSAI is committed to enhancing the physical and financial well-being of clients and their employees through a powerful combination of efficient plan administration, network management, predictive modeling tools, and life-enriching wellness and disease management programs. For more information, visit www.myfsai.com.

About Lee PHO
The Lee Physician Hospital Organization (PHO) is a preferred provider network designed to provide access to health care services for local employers and third party administrators. There are over 900 physicians who participate in the Lee PHO, representing many medical and surgical specialties. The outstanding service provided by these physicians is combined with Lee Memorial Health System’s award-winning hospital programs in order to offer a wide array of healthcare services in Lee County and surrounding the communities.


First Service Administrators, Inc. to Administer Benefits, Manage Proprietary Provider Network for
Citrus Memorial Health System

Lakeland, FL (July 23, 2009) – First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI), a leading third party administrator for hospitals, healthcare systems and public entities, has signed a contract with Citrus Memorial Health System to administer both its employee benefits plan and the 312-provider Citrus Platinum Network.

Citrus Memorial Health System provides comprehensive healthcare services to Citrus County and its surrounding communities. As its exclusive third party administrator, FSAI is responsible for plan design, claims processing, FSA administration, and network management.

FSAI will also manage the Citrus Platinum Network, a proprietary provider network it built to serve the system’s 1,200 employees.

“The Citrus Platinum Network was developed exclusively for Citrus Memorial to give them greater control over their healthcare dollars,” said Chandler J. Rapson, President and CEO of FSAI. “It maximizes access to first-rate healthcare providers, generates significant cost savings for employees and drives revenue back to Citrus Memorial and its physicians. As a result, it adds unparalleled value to the Citrus Memorial benefits plan.”

Adds Ryan Beaty, CEO of Citrus Memorial Health System: “The Citrus Platinum Network is tied directly to Citrus Memorial’s focus on delivering high-quality, cost-effective healthcare to the communities we serve. By partnering with FSAI to create and manage the Network, we are providing our employees and community members with access to the region’s leading healthcare providers in a financially responsible manner that benefits everyone.”

About FSAI
As a leading third party benefits administrator, FSAI has been providing exceptional customer service, innovative thinking and cost-effective healthcare solutions to hospitals, healthcare systems and public entities since 1985. FSAI offers a fresh, flexible approach to benefits administration tailoring its suite of superior healthcare cost management services to each client’s specific needs. FSAI is committed to enhancing the physical and financial well-being of clients and their employees through a powerful combination of efficient plan administration, network management, predictive modeling tools, and life-enriching wellness and disease management programs. For more information, visit www.myfsai.com.

About Citrus Memorial Health System
Citrus Memorial is a 198-bed, not-for-profit, community hospital that provides health care services to residents of Citrus County and surrounding communities. More than 150 physicians and 1,000 employees provide a wide range of services at our Inverness campus and at medical offices and clinics in eight locations in Citrus and Sumter Counties. Citrus Memorial is fully accredited by the Joint Commission and is fully licensed by the State of Florida.


First Service Administrators, Inc. and Health Analytics, Inc. Partner with AAFD to Provide Affordable, Quality Healthcare Solutions to Members Across the U.S.

Lakeland, Fla. – (April 28, 2009) – First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI), a leading third-party benefits administrator for health plans, and its sales and marketing partner, Health Analytics, Inc. (HAI), recently entered into a strategic partnership with the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) to develop a selection of competitively priced health benefits plans for AAFD members and their employees.

“We are honored to have been chosen as the exclusive branded health program for AAFD and its associates,” said Chandler Rapson, CEO of First Service Administrators. “We look forward to providing AAFD members with customized plans available only through their membership channel. By building a sizable block of business, AAFD members will benefit from volume pricing and large case risk management. Our cost containment solutions, efficient administrative capabilities and ability to custom-design networks will give AAFD members unparalleled value in their health plans. Our movement back into this market segment actually builds upon more than 20 years of expertise in HMO and individual medical plan administration, which was once the primary revenue driver for FSAI.”

“Providing affordable quality healthcare solutions as a valued benefit of AAFD membership continues to be a high priority for AAFD,” said Peter Hanson, President of AAFD. “AAFD Health Benefits has been enthusiastically received by our membership and our affiliated associations. This program gives AAFD members the most cost-effective and benefits-rich health insurance coverage available to them anywhere. It also provides funding to the AAFD, whose goal is to improve franchising opportunities for everyone.”

About FSAI
FSAI provides a fresh, flexible approach to benefits administration, tailoring its suite of superior healthcare solutions to each client’s specific needs. FSAI has been administering medical, dental and vision plans, flexible spending accounts (FSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA) and COBRA for almost 25 years. The company’s administrative solutions are further enhanced through custom plan design and proprietary networks, online enrollment and consolidated billing services, state-of-the-art IT architecture, integrated data management platforms, predictive modeling tools, and innovative wellness and disease management programs. FSAI has been providing exceptional service and innovative thinking since 1985. For more information, visit www.myfsai.com.


First Service Administrators Appoints Sheila Schweitzer, CEO of CareMedic Systems, to Board of Directors

LAKELAND, Fla. – (March 11, 2009) – First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI), a premier, full‑service third‑party benefits administrator, announced the appointment of Sheila Schweitzer to its Board of Directors. Schweitzer is Chairperson and CEO of CareMedic, a leading revenue cycle management company that specializes in maximizing and accelerating cash flows for hospitals and healthcare systems.

“Sheila is a tremendous asset to our organization,” stated Chandler Rapson, CEO of First Service Administrators. “Her wide-ranging experience in the healthcare industry, along with her expertise in helping hospitals capitalize on their revenue cycles, will help us deliver more efficient and cost‑effective healthcare solutions to our clients. Her industry insight provides a strategic direction not common in benefits administration. Having a person of Sheila’s stature on our board is a huge victory.”

“I am excited to become part of a high growth organization like FSAI,” said Schweitzer. “In their unique approach to the hospital and healthcare market, FSAI provides the tools, flexibility and control so clients can successfully manage cost-savings initiatives and reduce their healthcare spend.”

Schweitzer served as president and COO of CareMedic before being elected chairperson and CEO in September 2004. Prior to her tenure there, she was EVP and COO of MedUnite Inc., a consortium of health plans including Aetna, Cigna, Wellpoint, Anthem, Oxford, Healthnet and PacifiCare. Schweitzer also served as CEO of Presideo Inc. and SVP of operations at ENVOY Corporation. Schweitzer holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Western Kentucky University.

About FSAI
FSAI provides a suite of fully-customizable products and services, ranging from flexible plan design and administration to specialized cost containment and risk management programs. The company’s primary focus is on hospitals, healthcare systems, and government entities.

About CareMedic Systems, Inc.
Founded in 1996, CareMedic focuses exclusively on helping hospitals improve their financial results. Combining configurable technology with technology-enabled services, CareMedic’s eFR® Network tackles the most complex revenue cycle issues, reducing or eliminating manual tasks. The company’s fully integrated data management, dashboard reporting and workflow tools ultimately help customers recover more cash while reducing operational expenses. CareMedic is committed to consistently delivering results to its customers. For additional information, visit www.caremedic.com.


First Service Administrators, EBenefits Solutions Partner to Provide Online Benefits Administration
for Enhanced Eligibility Management

LAKELAND, Fla. – (Jan. 14, 2009) – First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI), a full-service third-party benefits administrator for health plans, has entered a strategic collaboration with EBenefits Solutions that will enable FSAI to provide clients with a “best in class” online administration solution that reduces costs and hassles.

“Teaming up with EBenefits Solutions to provide online enrollment and consolidated billing is an exciting development for FSAI, one that will enable us to provide the most technologically advanced, single source solution to our employer groups,” said Chandler Rapson, CEO, FSAI (www.myfsai.com). “As a leading third-party benefits administrator in Florida, we are continually seeking innovative ways to help our customers manage costs and streamline processes, which is why this collaboration with EBenefits Solutions was a natural choice.”

Under the agreement, FSAI will make EBenefits Solutions’ online administration tool available at a reduced rate to new and existing customers and prospects. The two companies will also work together to market and sell future EBenefits products to FSAI customers in Florida.

FSAI provides a full suite of administrative services, including benefit design, plan administration, innovative wellness, disease management, network development and management, and cost management services. Its primary focus is on hospitals for employer groups and government entities.

EBenefits Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), offers robust software applications that can easily handle sophisticated flexible benefit designs and complex eligibility rules through its advanced configuration design. The company also provides a unique blend of human resources, operational and information technology consulting services.

“FSAI is a great partner for us and our agreement reflects our desire to collaborate with companies that share our vision of bringing the best value available in the market to our customers,” said John Galley, CEO, EBenefits Solutions. “Through a combination of state-of-the-art systems and highly customized solutions, we help HR teams achieve their goals of automation and accuracy so that they may focus on key strategic initiatives. Because we are HR practitioners ourselves, we design our products and services to support this mission.”

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First Service Administrators, Inc. | 3035 Lakeland Hills Blvd. | Lakeland, FL 33805-2225 | (863)293-0785
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