History & Growth

1987

Founded as a chiropractic network and management company in Southern California

1988

First client health plan began to offer a supplemental chiropractic benefit

On first anniversary, 14,000 members/insured were covered

1989

First office opened in San Diego

1990

Expanded throughout California

1992

Began application process for a specialty health plan license

On fifth anniversary, 368,000 members/insured were covered

1994

ASH Plans licensed as a California specialty health plan for chiropractic

1997

Introduced acupuncture; ASH Plans license modified to include acupuncture

On 10th anniversary, 2.3 million members/insured were covered

Received San Diego Entrepreneur of the Year award

1998

Introduced discount affinity, massage therapy, and mail-order/e-commerce programs

Received URAC accreditation for chiropractic and acupuncture programs

1999

Reorganized ownership; formed ASH

Began national expansion

Introduced fitness club network

2000

CEO George DeVries was appointed to the White House Commission on CAM Policy

Received Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year award

Introduced naturopath

Provider networks established in all 50 states

2001

Acquired national insurance company

Introduced dietetic counseling and mental imagery programs

Received URAC accreditation for massage therapy, dietetic counseling, naturopathy, and health plan Web site

2002

On 15th anniversary, ASH covered 8.9 million members/insured

Introduced Healthyroads for Living health education program

Introduced vitamin and mineral benefits

2003

World Wide Web Health Awards named Healthyroads.com® Best E-Commerce Site nationally

Launched ASH Insurance Company in six states

Received URAC accreditation for claims processing, HIPAA privacy, and HIPAA security

Introduce fitness club benefits

2004

ASH CEO George DeVries receives AHIP Innovators Award

Launched health risk assessment program

Launched national fitness club network

2005

Launched disease management programs for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and pre-chronic conditions

Launched Silver & Fit program

Launched physical therapy and occupational therapy management programs

2006

Named one of the Best Places to Work by the San Diego Business Journal and San Diego Magazine

Launched ASH Insurance products in three states

Introduced Healthyroads for Kids™ program

Introduced Quit&Fit™ Program

Introduced physical therapy program

2007

Received California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness Silver Fit Business Award

Launched FitnessCoach® online health improvement program

Introduced ASHPlus™ Program

On 20th anniversary, 12.6 million members were covered

2008

Named Among the 100 “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare magazine

Received Gold “Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles” award from the National Business Group on Health

Named one of the country’s 15 fittest companies by Men’s Health Magazine

2009

Achieved national URAC accreditation for comprehensive wellness standards and measures for Healthyroads

Received NCQA Wellness and Health Promotion Accreditation with Performance Reporting for Healthyroads

Introduced first annual Fit Company Award

Expanded coaching program to include lifestyle, life skills, and condition coaching

Named one of San Diego's "Best Places to Work" by the San Diego Business Journal

Named to Inc. Magazine's "Inc. 5000" list of fastest growing businesses

Received second consecutive Gold "Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles" award from the National Business Group on Health and third consecutive Silver California Fit Business Award from the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness

Introduced Engage! Creative Group

Covered 15.6 million members

2010

ASH Named to Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies List for Second Consecutive Year

San Diego Business Journal Lists ASH Among the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in San Diego

ASH and Healthyroads Expand to New Corporate Headquarters

ASH's George DeVries and Dr. Douglas Metz Named Health Care Champions

American Specialty Health Named Among the Country’s "Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles" for the Third Time by the National Business Group on Health

American Specialty Health Named One of San Diego’s Healthiest Workplaces by the San Diego Business Journal

Covered 17.9 million members

ASH Companies Healthyroads

© 2010 American Specialty Health, Inc.