PacifiCare Expansion

PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. said Wednesday that it is stepping up a national expansion of its Secure Horizons health plan for senior citizens on Medicare.

With new federal laws expected to encourage Medicare beneficiaries to move out of traditional fee-for-service care and into managed care, the Santa Ana-based health maintenance company aims to offer Secure Horizons--the nation’s largest Medicare plan--in markets as yet untouched by managed care.

Craig S. Schub, president of PacifiCare’s Secure Horizons unit, said changing federal laws will make it easier for PacifiCare to enter other markets by linking up with provider organizations. He said PacifiCare plans to franchise the Secure Horizons concept.

Schub led PacifiCare’s push into Massachusetts in 1993, when it became a partner with the Tufts Associated Health Plan. The plan is now the largest Medicare HMO in New England. He also helped arrange a similar partnership last year with Presbyterian Healthcare Systems.

Schub, who also has been senior vice president of corporate marketing at PacifiCare, will relinquish that position to focus on expanding Secure Horizons. Arnold Hebert, a corporate vice president, will assume Schub’s marketing duties.