Stratose Acquires Arkansas Managed Care Organization, 2nd Acquisition in 2014

Proquest LLC

Stratose, a provider of healthcare cost containment solutions for medical, dental, and workers' compensation claims, has announced the acquisition of Arkansas Managed Care Organization (AMCO), Inc., an independent, statewide PPO network in Arkansas.

In a release, the Company said that the expansive AMCO network, consisting of more than 5,000 physicians, more than 100 hospitals, and more than 1,000 ancillary providers, serves as the statewide PPO network for many nationally recognized carriers, third party administrators, and self-insured employees.

"Since 1993, AMCO has built a solid network of physicians and healthcare service providers in the local market," said Tina Ellex, President of Stratose. "Their presence in the Arkansas market aligns with our continued commitment to enhance the Stratose portfolio of services for our nationwide clients by offering a very local approach to healthcare."

Stratose said that this acquisition by the Company represents the sixth such strategic growth initiative in the past three years. The company executed three acquisitions in 2011 to expand services in the East Coast Markets, establish a presence in the dental market, and broaden its capabilities in claims negotiations. In October 2013, Stratose acquired Midwest-based HFN as part of an over- arching strategy to expand both presence and experience within the Workers' Comp and Group Health PPO sectors for Illinois and the surrounding markets. In January of 2014, Stratose acquired Southern- based PPOplus and expanded its markets in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and surrounding areas.

"The AMCO, PPOplus, and HFN acquisitions are indicative of the long-range growth strategy employed by Stratose in our efforts to provide the broadest area of coverage for our clients in the healthcare cost containment service industry," said Terry Harris, Executive Vice-President of Sales. "Our ability to provide quality discounts and effective cost containment is strengthened with the local expertise these acquisitions bring."

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