EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

           We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts"
in the Registration Statement (Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-2,
Registration No. 333-34786) and related Prospectus of Universal American
Financial Corp. for the registration of up to 120,198 shares of its common stock
and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 20,
2003, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of
Universal American Financial Corp. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.



                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York
January 14, 2004