UnitedHealthcare Thinks Digital Health Could Be Game Changer

Sep 28, 2018 admin Health 0

Minneapolis-based UnitedHealthcare is deepening its focus on digital health, touting its solutions as a game changer that can simplify access to healthcare, reduce costs, and improve efficiencies.

Steve Nelson, UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive officer, told Business Insider that the health system was “confusing, it’s difficult to navigate, and it’s too expensive,” adding that it was “no secret that the healthcare system needs some work.”

These pain points ultimately call for the digital transformation of healthcare.

To that end, the company has released a number of new innovations that it thinks will simplify the healthcare system such as digital onboarding, where clients can select an appropriate health plan based on their personal health and financial preferences.

UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the U.S., also introduced Apple Pay for its clients with Optum Bank health savings accounts (HSA), allowing for a secure and private way to pay for medical services.

The company now also provides video explanation of benefits, or personalized claims videos providing a step-by-step breakdown of how each claim was processed and how much is owed.

Among some of the new innovations, UnitedHealthcare has unveiled recently are UnitedHealthcare Motion, the UnitedHealthcare Healthy Pregnancy mobile app, virtual visits, and health and well-being solution, Rally.

“UnitedHealthcare also announced a collaboration with DexCom, Inc., to launch an individualized glucose management program driven by wearable technology to help people with Type 2 diabetes manage their condition in real-time,” the company said.

UnitedHealthcare also has another digital platform called PreCheck MyScript, a digital program and mobile app for doctors to write and renew prescriptions faster.

It is estimated that digital health solutions could save the U.S. healthcare system up to $230 billion over five years, with the global connected digital health market estimated to be worth $155.5bn in 2017.

Simply put, the time is now for the reinvention of healthcare.

Although UnitedHealthcare is partnering with major digital health solutions providers, innovative healthcare startups are not to be overlooked. Digital innovation has forever changed our lives especially when it comes to empowering patients to seek out value-based care.

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