United Healthcare Group - Essay Example

United Healthcare group United Healthcare According to the Fortune Magazine, United Health care, which is a subsidiary of United Health Group, is the single largest health carrier in the United States. The organization provides health insurance and other support services through its various subsidiaries. United Health Group is a diversified managed health care provider. It has headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA. United Health care serves over 70 million individuals countrywide. This figure projects annual growth. The organization has to cater for the growing numbers as well as changing dynamics in the health care needs. Recent acquisitions enhance the capacity of the network and the desired human resource. For example, in 2009, United Health care Health Net Inc. and AIM health care. Also, in 2010, Ingenix acquired Picis Inc., a leading provider of health information solutions (Issel, 2009). A more recent acquisition is XLHealth Corporation with a health care model to help people with chronic illness. United Health care can serve this special needs group better. The parent company of United Health care, United Health Group, is in merger talks with Amil Participacoes, S.A. The combination will bring on board the advanced technology, customer-focused innovation and modern services to further advance health care in Brazil. The mergers and acquisitions extend the network. Further, service providers owned by the parent company provide a wealth of information and resources that enhance the capacity of United Health care to provide quality health care for the next decade (Issel, 2009). The expected growth also requires a growth in the number of staff, efficient use of available resources, and a high level of patient satisfaction. United Health care has a number of strategies to achieve these objectives. The vast network of subsidiary companies and affiliates provide a time tested system with the required combination of resources (Issel, 2009). Nurses provide much more than bedside care; they often serve as care advocates, clinical consultants and executive leaders who manage teams and large budgets (Issel, 2009, p. 31). Therefore, a tactical plan to attend to the matter of nurse staffing as well as recruit the best talent is necessary for an effective health care system (Issel, 2009). United Health care was Nurse Practitioners employer of choice in 2011. Therefore, it attracts the best in the field of nursing. The organization has an aggressive recruitment program that has an active on line presence. A recent recruitment drive is seeking to recruit 600 health care professional. There is also plenty of information on the incentives and rewards for working with United Health care. These include employee health insurance cover, retirement and savings plan, worker support programs and paid time off, among others (Issel, 2009). These would attract and retain employees. The role of nurses has advanced over the years. United Health care established Center for Nursing Advancement to address the changing dynamics in the countrys health care needs. The center focuses on engagement strategies, training, coaching and mentoring of its nursing professionals. This complements well with continued education of its staff through journals and on line courses offered for free to its nurses and physicians on emerging issues in health care (Issel, 2009). Resource limitation and their use determine the cost of services. High cost translates to high insurance premiums and lower value to shareholders. Therefore, United Health care has developed strategies to enhance service delivery while lowering the cost by ensuring efficient use of resources. One way is by encouraging individuals to join the network health plan. The individual will then benefit from the cost saving by the health provider (Issel, 2009). The cost of surgery reduces through outpatient surgery for procedures that do not require overnight recovery. In addition, same day surgery admission can save a whole day of hospitalization fee. Also, pre-admission testing and second opinion before undergoing an expensive surgical procedure can save on cost. The facilities can, therefore, handle more cases and avoid unnecessary surgery. United Health care can deny hospitalization or charges for unnecessary treatment (Issel, 2009). Specialized care is the best way United Health care ensures proper utilization of resources. The service design helps people handle various conditions for example, obesity, heart health plus pregnancy (Issel, 2009). Through Smart Patient Computer application program, members can have reminders, go through checklists, engage the doctor knowledgeably, record doctor’s instruction, and get simple and timely support. Further, through nurse24, there is a 24 hour call line for members to consult a nurse (Issel, 2009). Through Health and wellness education and services, members get resources and interactive services. United Health care also offer services to help employee reduce stress, provides access to health coaching to deal with chronic conditions and help individuals find the right doctor through a dedicated line called Care24. This can save a costly trip to the doctor while providing one with a reference to a doctor who is the best to deal with the case (Issel, 2009). The customer is king. Therefore, patient satisfaction is a crucial indicator on the success of United Health care. Employee satisfaction will translate to patient satisfaction. United Health care has a comprehensive employee welfare program and support networks that ensure the employee can perform the job (Issel, 2009). The organization trains and provides the employee with up to date information and strategies of handling patients. Information systems at United Health care provide real-time information that enable faster engagement for the satisfaction of members. This enhances straightforward processes and quick resolutions when need arise. The organization has also made substantial improvements to the quality of their service interactions by reducing hold times, improving call routing, and raising first call resolution rates through better technology and staff training (Issel, 2009). United Health care also engages the community through social responsibility programs as well as interactive services for better health, for example, source4women. The organization also engages in current issues. For instance, it aims to help individuals understand what health reform means to them. In this way, individuals can have current knowhow of the health care systems so as to make informed decisions (Issel, 2009). United Health Care gauge customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction through surveys. United Health care is a fast growing health service provider in USA. It has proper strategies for network growth. The network prepares to deal with the changing dynamics of health care for the next decade. Strategies for nurse staffing, resource management and patient satisfaction are satisfactory (Issel, 2009). Reference Issel, L. M. (2009). Health program planning and evaluation: a practical and systematic approach for community health. Sudbury, Mass, Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Read More