Physicians Health Plan began in 1980, when Sparrow Health System and a group of visionary physicians began developing mid-Mic ... higan's first broad-based independent practice association (IPA), a type of health maintenance organization. An IPA is made up of a network of local physicians, hospitals and other professionals who deliver a full continuum of care. In 1982, PHP introduced its first products to the market. Today PHP remains a subsidiary of Sparrow, and it has more than 3,100 practitioners and 31 hospitals participating in its provider network. read more