If you want to be first in your field, it helps if your owners are first in theirs. Owned by some of the most prestigious hospitals in the region, Healthfirst might just have a leg-up on other health care management organizations. The not-for-profit has about 500,000 members throughout New York City, Long Island, and northern New Jersey. It offers government-sponsored health insurance programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, Family Health Plus, and Child Health Plus plans, to low-income and special needs clients. It also offers commercial HMO and point-of-service plans to individuals and small employer groups. Healthfirst was formed in 1993; its plans are administered by HF Management Services.