Research a health care organization or a network that spans several states within
the U.S. (Example: United Healthcare, Vanguard, Banner Healthcare, etc.).
Harvard Business Review Online and Hoover’s Company Records, found in the
GCU library, are useful sources. You may also find pertinent information on your
organization’s webpage.
Review “Singapore Airlines Case Study.”
Prepare a 1,000-1,250-word paper that focuses on the organization or network you
have selected.
Your essay should assess the readiness of the health care organization or network in
addressing the health care needs of citizens in the next decade, and include a strategic plan
that addresses issues pertaining to network growth, nurse staffing, resource management,
and patient satisfaction.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style
Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
United Healthcare Group
United Healthcare group is an American health care organization with its health quarter
in Minnesota. This organization is the largest healthcare center in America. According to Fortune
magazine (2013), the company was ranked 17 among 500 top successful firms in America in
2012 (Hemsley, 2013). Through its subsidiaries and departments, United Healthcare group
provides services for more than 70 million people around various U.S states. In 2012, the
company recorded total revenue of $5.142 billion. United Healthcare Organization also serves
members through its locally placed departments and subsidiaries.
The company’s specialty services includes, pharmaceutical cost management programs,
preferred physical services, services related to substance abuse and mental health, employee’s
causality and compensation services, management and health programs for the aged, healthcare
assessment services, information systems in healthcare, and services related to administration
(Straumanis, 2009).
Healthcare Group was fully incorporated in 1977 as United Healthcare Corporation.
Since then, the company has consistently expanded its range of services through several
acquisitions and mergers. In the last decade, the company with its more than 2 million members
had attended to more patients than any other health management organization in US. United
Healthcare has members from states such as Atlanta, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Milwaukee, and
Des Moines. It is currently regarded as a leader in product diversification and a healthcare
management force in America.
In enhancing its services to users in the next generation, United Healthcare has
introduced several health care innovations and programs including: new drug and pharmaceutical
formulas, processes of hospital admission, and pre-certification, physical office software for cost
management, chemical and mental health dependency intermediaries, and various insurance
products as among the features incorporated above its conventional health products. In addition
to this is the newly introduced care plan for seniors, consistent efforts in innovations, research
and experiments and provision of private market alternatives for health care in US.
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Other newly developed and enhanced services include Evercare, a program that is
designed to assist in coordination of healthcare programs for individuals and people in various
nursing homes. The modern transplant network also developed by United Healthcare assists in
directing people to healthcare programs for their medical needs. With time, United Health care
programs anticipates to introduce health care programs that deals with chronic health care
conditions such as heart diseases, kidney conditions, women’s services, cancer and bariatric
surgery (Hemsley, 2013).
Towards the end of 2012, United Health Group combined with Amil Partipaties of
South Africa to offer enhanced services to its members. These combination established new
growth platform for the corporation’s services and benefits. This is because Amil participaties
brought new and advanced technology to United Health care, modern clinical programs,
consumer based innovation, and modern services to enhanced health care in United States and
other nations. The company also began a series of enterprise reorganization from 2011. The
reorganization incorporated programs such as medical programs for employers and also
individuals, healthcare programs for the community and the state, healthcare programs for the
veterans and the military and health care programs for retired government employees.
During 2010, 2011, and 2012, United Health Group used more than $4.8 million on
lobbying operations towards achieving favorable healthcare legislation. A good portion of the
money was also used in employing lobbying and public relations organizations to spearhead the
company’s lobbying efforts. United Healthcare committee in political action used more than $1.5
million in lobbying for various programs in 2012 alone. The company’s management executives
have been meeting on a monthly basis with major insurers in US to reduce or curb the impact of
negative healthcare reform regulations. In 1999, United Healthcare developed two foundations:
United Health care Foundation and United Health Foundation. The main goal of United Health
Foundation is to offer information that will assist in support of decisions which may
influence enhanced health care and as well as healthier individuals and communities. In
addition, this foundation also supports programs that facilitate access to quality healthcare and
improvement of the community’s well being. Since their formation, the two foundations by the
United Healthcare Corporation have used more than $ 200 million in programs meant for
healthcare improvements across the states (Bloomberg, 2011).
Information from the company’s website indicates that the company is focused on
employing the potential of its employees, their ideas and the available resources in assisting the
communities and individuals wherever they operate. The company endeavors at all times to
assist these individuals and the community live healthier lives. In addition, they also ensure that
the health systems work better for the advantage of the community, focus on compassion,
integrity, research and innovations, relationships and enhanced performance for the satisfaction
of the end users. Giving back to the community, business innovations, growth and volunteering
are some of the means through which they accomplish their anticipated goals in responding to
the health needs of the community members. They consider each of these aspects to be crucial in
improving the healthcare service provision, as well individual and community’s well-being
(United Health Group, 2013).
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Reference
Bloomberg, (2011). “UnitedHealth Joins WellPoint to Hone Health Law Lobby”,
Straumanis, A (2009), “United HealthCare: Not Just an HMO Manager,” Corporate
Report Minnesota,, p. 60
United Health Group, (2013). “ UnitedHealth Group ”