UnitedHealthcare Platform Improves Member Access to Well-being Programs

January 22, 2024 - UnitedHealthcare has launched a platform to facilitate member access to health and well-being programs and lower costs for employers.

The UHC Hub offers a network of more than 20 health and well-being programs, including resources for healthy living and complex health condition management and care.

The platform aims to help employers identify, evaluate, and purchase vendor programs and increase member awareness of these resources. The Hub allows employers to streamline their program procurement to one buying experience and may save them up to 15 percent on costs compared to buying stand-alone solutions.

The platform builds on the payer’s existing advocacy resources that assist members with their healthcare decisions. The resources help members stay in-network, provide hospital discharge planning and support, and review potential treatment and medication options based on coverage considerations.

Advocacy solutions can improve personalized care, boost member satisfaction, reduce costs, and close care gaps, according to UnitedHealthcare.

“UnitedHealthcare is committed to helping people take advantage of health and well-being programs, navigate the healthcare system, and maximize the value of their benefits,” Dan Kueter, CEO of the UnitedHealthcare commercial business, said in the press release. “By using technology and personalized support, we are focused on enhancing our digital experience and customer care resources to support improved health outcomes and satisfaction among our members, reduce the total cost of care, and deliver greater value for employers.”

Members can access the UHC Hub through advocates—UnitedHealthcare’s customer service representatives—myuhc.com, and the UnitedHealthcare app. Members can search for and enroll in solutions that meet their health needs through the platform, including financial planning, nutrition programs, cancer care, and caregiving resources.

Employers that buy Core, Elite, or Premier products can also access UnitedHealthcare’s advocacy resources. These solutions support more than 15 million people across the country, the press release mentioned.

An analysis of large and mid-size employers from the payer indicated that enhanced customer care resources led to lower total medical cost of care by up to 4 percent. At the same time, enrollment in clinical programs increased and care gaps were minimized.

According to UnitedHealthcare, this support helped reduce emergency room admissions and 30-day and 90-day hospital readmissions. This contributed to the payer’s advocacy models receiving overall member satisfaction of 93 percent and 50 percent fewer call transfers.

Health and well-being programs are essential to members’ physical and mental health. A 2023 report from the Cigna Group found that less than half of adults look forward to each new day, prioritize their physical health, feel capable of managing their emotions, and can financially support themselves.

Ensuring members have adequate access to relevant, affordable well-being resources can help address the driving factors behind poor mental health.