Universal Care Names Abdul Kassir As Vice President Of Provider Contracting

SIGNAL HILL, Calif., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Care, Inc., a managed care health plan dedicated to providing, arranging and delivering quality health care programs and services to California’s diverse population, has named Abdul Kassir Vice President of Provider Contracting. In this role, Kassir is responsible for the strategic and tactical implementation of all activities related to developing and maintaining the health plan’s physician, hospital and ancillary services delivery system, as well as executing all programs to maintain positive relationships with contracted hospitals and physicians.

Prior to joining Universal Care, Kassir served as Vice President of Contracting and Business Development for Care Level Management, which provides in-home physician visits for chronically ill patients. There he was responsible for all business development and contracting duties, as well as negotiating employment agreements with physicians. Before his tenure at Care Level Management, Kassir served in two positions for Tenet Health Systems. His most recent post was as Executive Director of Managed Care where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Managed Care and Contracting Department for Tenet’s Western Division.

“Abdul brings to Universal Care more than 15 years of health care experience in medical provider management in the Southern California marketplace,” said Jay B. Davis, executive vice president of Universal Care. “His expertise will help Universal Care continue to grow and expand in the region.”

Kassir has held a number of contract management roles throughout his career. He served as Director of Managed Care for National Medical Enterprises where he negotiated and maintained managed care contracts for the northern California region. He also spent three years as Senior Contract Manager for Blue Cross of California where he worked to negotiate contracts with Southern California hospitals and medical groups for Blue Cross’ commercial HMO and PPO products.

Kassir received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his master of science degree in public health from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health.

About Universal Care

Universal Care was founded in 1983 as a privately held, family-owned health organization primarily serving Southern California. Universal Care is a mixed model (staff/network) managed care organization providing services for individuals, small and large commercial employer groups, and government-sponsored programs such as Medicare, MediCal and Healthy Families. For information about any Universal Care programs, call 1-800-380-2522, or visit http://www.universalcare.com/.

Media Contact: Jay Davis Executive Vice President Universal Care, Inc. 562-981-4028

Universal Care, Inc.,

CONTACT: Jay Davis, Executive Vice President of Universal Care, Inc.,+1-562-981-4028