Bend-based Clear Choice Health Plans Inc. on Tuesday reported lower earnings in its first quarter that ended March 31.

The company — which offers a variety of health insurance plans to a mix of seniors, Medicaid recipients and individual and small-business owners — posted net income of $845,000, or 46 cents per share, on revenue of $52.6 million. That compares with net income of $1.3 million, or 70 cents per share, on revenue of $47.4 million, in first quarter 2007.

Clear Choice showed a loss from operations of $191,000 in the quarter versus income from operations of $1.3 million last year.

“Results for the quarter continued to be adversely impacted by higher medical expenses, including an increase in utilization and in the number of higher dollar claims,” President and CEO Patricia Gibford said in a press release.

“Administrative expenses increased as we continued to invest in the company’s infrastructure to further enhance operating efficiencies and support growth initiatives,” she said.

The company’s total debt increased from $6.1 million at the year’s end to $8.2 million on March 31, primarily due to the construction of a new 78,000-square-foot office building in Bend. The building is scheduled for occupancy in May.