about us

our Story

In January 1996, two physician-led organizations in St. Louis formed Esse Health. One of the groups, Health Key Medical Group, had operated for more than 20 years. The other group, Beacon Health Care, was formed in 1994 when about fifteen independent internists organized to negotiate with insurance plans as a group. The two groups shared the belief that an organized group of physicians could have a positive impact on the management and delivery of quality health care.

Today Esse Health has more than 75 physicians and continues to espouse the values on which it was founded — serving patients with the highest level of care possible.

Here are some highlights of Esse Health's growth and development:

• 1997 — Finalized computer hardware network, allowing e-mail to be the standard for corporate communication.
• 1998 — Changed name to Esse Health to promote new identity and created the first Esse Health Web site.
• 1999 — Expanded primary care services to Illinois with merger of established Belleville practice.
• 2000 — Created WELLINX to bring decision tools into each doctor's hands.
• 2001 — Improved patient service by offering in-office prescription dispensing using the WELLINX system. Created Excel Imaging to offer full-service imaging services to Esse Health patients.
• 2002 — Esse Health expanded its primary care services to Columbia, Illinois. We also won a perfect accreditation score through COLA (www.cola.org).
• 2003 — Excel Imaging was relocated to a free-standing facility.
• 2004 — Created Essence, a health plan with a Medicare contract. It is licensed in Missouri with CMS as a Medicare Advantage Plan, offering coverage to Medicare-eligible patients.