UnitedHealth Group Weekly Dose Podcast

UnitedHealth Group is committed to a future where every person has access to high-quality, affordable health care and a modern, high-performing health system that reduces disparities, improves outcomes and lessens the burden of disease.

This is the second episode in a three-part deep dive into A Path Forward, UnitedHealth Group's policy solutions that offer a refreshed perspective for how to modernize the health system to:

• Achieve universal coverage by building on and strengthening the current system.
• Make health care affordable by accelerating value-based care, using high-value sites of service, reforming prescription drug pricing and eliminating wasteful spending.
• Transform the health care experience by focusing on equity and addressing disparities, expanding and diversifying the health care workforce and empowering consumers and clinicians with actionable information.

The second episode of our three-part series features Dirk McMahon, President and Chief Operating Officer at UnitedHealth Group and Heather Cianfrocco, CEO at Optum Rx, discussing ways to make the health system more affordable for consumers, employers and governments.

Click here for more information on A Path Forward.

UnitedHealth Group is committed to a future where every person has access to high-quality, affordable health care and a modern, high-performing health system that reduces disparities, improves outcomes and lessens the burden of disease.

This is the first episode in a three-part deep dive into A Path Forward, UnitedHealth Group's policy solutions that offer a refreshed perspective for how to modernize the health system to:

• Achieve universal coverage by building on and strengthening the current system.
• Make health care affordable by accelerating value-based care, using high-value sites of service, reforming prescription drug pricing and eliminating wasteful spending.
• Transform the health care experience by focusing on equity and addressing disparities, expanding and diversifying the health care workforce and empowering consumers and clinicians with actionable information.

The first episode in our three-part series features Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, and Kristi Henderson, CEO of Optum Everycare, who discuss how to expand access to coverage and care in the U.S., including through innovative coverage and virtual capabilities.

Click here for more information on A Path Forward.

The pandemic has taken a huge toll on children across the nation. This increase in need for mental health support has led more children and adolescents to seek behavioral health care.

In this week's episode, Dr. Yusra Benhalim, Senior National Medical Director at Optum Behavioral Health discusses:

• How the pandemic has impacted children and adolescents.
• Innovative ways that Optum has been approaching youth mental health.
• Resources parents can access to support their children.

UnitedHealthcare's Center for Advanced Analytics aims to improve well-being by engaging with clinical-intervention programs. These programs work to address social determinants of health for people in employer-sponsored benefit plans.

In this week's episode, Craig Kurtzweil, leader of UnitedHealthcare's Center for Advanced Analytics, discusses:

• What the five costliest conditions are.
• The significant drivers behind those conditions.
• How preventive care can assist in lowering costs.

Read the full report here.

This week we’re taking a closer look at recent changes to the ACA individual exchanges and what impact that is having on uninsured Americans. 1 million Americans have signed up for covers through the federal exchange during the first 10 weeks of a special enrollment period opened up by the Biden administration on February 15. Nearly half of those new enrollees purchase coverage after Congress passed legislation, adding billions in subsidies that reduced the average monthly premium from $117 to 86. The Biden administration has extended that special enrollment period until August 15, and is advocating to permanently extend those premium subsidies.