Dr. Kiran Patel strikes gold with Medicare HMOs. Again.

Dr. Kiran Patel of Tampa, who donated $12 million to University of South Florida on Tuesday, can well afford the gift. His fast-growing Medicare Advantage plans are booming.

Patel’s plans, which operate in five states under the umbrella corporation America’s 1st Choice Holdings, will take in more than $1 billion this year, according to analyst Carl McDonald of Citigroup Global Markets.

When Health News Florida asked whether McDonald’s estimate was accurate, Patel said the total is closer to $1.4 billion.