Exhibit 32.2


               CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
                            AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


 In connection with the Quarterly Report of First Health Group Corp. (the
 "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2004, as filed
 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
 "Report"), I, William R. McManaman, Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
 do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
 to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

      (1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

      (2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
 material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
 Company.


 /s/ William R. McManaman

 William R. McManaman
 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 November 5, 2004