San Diego Magazine's Top CEOs

San Diego Magazine (July, 2003) -- It may at first be hard to believe that there is a health insurance company that actually strives to empower its members, but American Specialty Health, Incorporated is just such a company. "We appeal to the new health care consumer, the educated person who takes responsibility for his or her health needs," says George DeVries who co-founded the company in 1987.

American Specialty Health and its subsidiaries provide direct access to complementary health care products and services, such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, dietetics, naturopathy, and vitamins and minerals, either directly to members or through alliances with medical health plans. Interest in nontraditional methods of health care has surged, and American Specialty Health has kept pace, now covering 9.6 million people across the country in benefit programs and providing services for more than 60 health plans nationally and a network of over 25,000 providers. With 2002 revenues of $100 million, American Specialty Health is the largest complementary health care organization in America.

As the Internet has become a primary source of information, people are finding new and different ways of approaching prevention and treatment programs and they are demanding more of their health care companies. "Innovative solutions are important," DeVries says. "People want to participate in the process." To meet this demand, American Specialty Health also offers health education programs in nutrition, weight management, tobacco cessation and mental imagery, a positive visualization process. An exciting addition is the relaxation therapy program, written by best-selling author Dr. Kenneth Pelletier of the University of Arizona and University of Maryland medical schools.

DeVries himself has been recognized for his vision and dedication in founding California's first specialty health company for complementary health care. He was nominated by President Clinton to serve on the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy and was named the National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000 in the Health Sciences category. His business philosophy can be seen in his emphasis on efficiency and personal empowerment. "Whatever services we offer," he says, "must be effective, not only in cost but also clinically. Most of all, people should have a choice."