HealthFirst

HealthFirst strives to bring unmatched innovation and excellence to our health plan management services. We follow the highest standards and work to exceed the expectations of those we serve.

A Service Focused TPA

HealthFirst was established in Tyler, Texas in 1983. The company was started by a group of insurance industry veterans who saw the need for a technology-savvy TPA to manage self-funded plans for employer groups of all sizes. As a pioneer in self-funded plan administration, HealthFirst has grown with the industry, but we retain our roots as a service-focused TPA. In fact, one of our very first clients is still with us today.

After a period of expansion, HealthFirst was acquired in 1996 by East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, the leading hospital and clinic system in East Texas, which positioned HealthFirst strategically to clinically integrate health management services and wellness programs into its health plan administration. In 2018, Ardent Health Services, an industry leader in quality health care, formed a 10-hospital health system including the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, which included HealthFirst TPA, and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UT Health Northeast) under the auspices of UT Health East Texas, giving HealthFirst further opportunity to progress and innovate in the self-funded marketplace. We continue to maintain our corporate headquarters in Tyler, but since 2008, we have also staffed a satellite office in Houston to better serve our statewide clients. No matter where our clients live and work, we understand that each of our clients has different needs when it comes to employee benefits. So we approach each client, and each plan, individually. Working with employers, consultants, and our vendor partners, we develop the healthcare solutions to best fit each group’s unique employee population and company resources.

Our Approach Works

We believe that well-managed self-funded plans are the most economical option for most groups. And just as importantly, self-funded plans offer more flexibility, control, and responsiveness to employers and members. So everyone gets the plan, and the coverage, that they need. Our approach works. Committed to client satisfaction and superior service, we have been rewarded with high levels of customer approval, enjoying steady growth and a low client turnover rate.

Why Choose Us?

Navigating today’s healthcare landscape is complicated – but managing a benefits plan doesn’t have to be.

At HealthFirst, we’re devoted to providing customer service that’s both high-tech and high-touch, so you have the security of knowing that every detail is covered.

We use industry-leading technology to process claims, generate reports, and provide you with real-time access to plan details and information. But we also utilize a team approach to account management, so you can always reach a real person to answer questions and resolve issues.