About us
VI Equicare is the largest independent Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) in the United States Virgin Islands. George I. Rosenberg, MD, CEO and Chairman of the Board, founded VI Equicare in 1997 to increase the availability of affordable healthcare in the US Virgin Islands. The company has experienced expansive growth since its inception. VI Equicare membership presently includes the majority of primary care and specialty physicians as well as ancillary facilities and allied healthcare practitioners practicing in the islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.
The governing board of VI Equicare is a seven member Board of Directors comprised of four physicians from the St. Thomas/St. John district and three physicians from the district of St. Croix. These Board members are elected annually and meet several times a year to discuss and render decisions concerning company issues and initiatives. The Board assumes legal responsibility for the PPO credentialing process and is responsible for final approval of all membership policies and procedures. The Board of Directors delegates responsibility for oversight, management, and operational approval of credentialing functions to the Credentialing/Quality Management Committee. This Committee of VI Equicare consists of seven practicing physicians selected to be representative of the PPO membership. The Board is responsible for the negotiation of all insurance company, third party administrator, employer, and cruise line contracts. As a single contracting authority for the participating providers of the PPO, VI Equicare is contracted with more than thirteen payers. The Board of Directors assigns responsibility for the negotiation of contractual agreements to the Contract Negotiation Committee. Using the messenger model, the Contract Negotiation Committee works closely with VI Equicare’s administrative staff to ensure that all of the participating providers have access to PPO contracts and that all the participating providers have a method for addressing the individual needs of their practices.
Current Board of Directors
George I. Rosenberg, MD, Chairman of the Board
Frank Odlum, MD, Credentialing Committee Chair
Jan Tawakol, MD, Contract Negotiation Committee Chair
Jeffrey Chase, MD
Angelo Galiber, Jr., MD
Mavis Matthew, MD
Adam Shapiro, MD
Lori Thompson, PhD
Robert Monokian, DC
Jessica Schnell, DPT
VI Equicare’s administrative team performs multiple functions and duties to ensure that all parties are meeting their obligation. The Credentialing Department is responsible for ensuring all VI Equicare providers are credentialed and re-credentialed according to the stringent national guidelines of the National Committee of Quality Assurance (NCQA) and VI Equicare’s own credentialing policies and procedures. Bi-monthly communication to all participating providers and general questions are handled by our office manager and administrative assistant. The director is available for issues of a more complex nature, including contract interpretation and preliminary negotiation, claims processing and payment questions or problems, member/patient grievances, and other crisis management issues that arise. The bi-lingual VI Equicare operations staff strives to provide excellent customer service both to the participating providers and the contracted partners. The administrative offices are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours and after hours as needed.
Current Administrative Team
Dynel N. Soto – Director
Yedris O’Neal – Office Manager
Rowann Penny – Senior Credentialing Officer
Melissa Wolfe – Credentialing Officer
Kalia Campbell – Support Specialist