A Case Study: United Health Care

Introduction

United Healthcare is an American diversified health and well-being company with its headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota. It was founded in 1977 by classic entrepreneur and visionary Richard Burke the company aims at aiding people to lead healthier lives (Sethi, 2009). United Healthcare which is one of the divisions run by United Health Group offers wide health care coverage and health benefit services. Being one of the largest health carriers in the US, the company is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of healthcare delivery, easy access to medical benefits, innovate new technological advances to the entire healthcare system and creating affordable services for all nationals (Black & Chitty, 2014). The ultimate goal is to continuously make improvements in the quality of the healthcare system. This case study, will explore the organization's readiness to prioritizing on the citizens' healthcare needs in the next decade. It will also focus on the strategic plans that will address network growth, patient satisfaction, resource management, and nurse staffing.

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Evaluation of Programs and Strategies

The organization's today success and stability did not come overnight. It has been a rigorous journey coupled with a fair share of ups and downs. However, this is how the management has managed to develop strategic plans and programs that will address healthcare needs in the next decade. Reforming and re-engineering of organizational cultures to align with dynamic trends is a strategy that United Healthcare is been using for the last three years to improve productivity, quality of their service delivery charter and enhance patient satisfaction. The company prioritizes on empowering patients and physicians through technological innovations to universal coverage and access to healthcare medical benefits (Huber, 2014). Consumer engagement, reducing disparities, evidence-based care, reforming payment structures and modernizing Medicare are some of the secondary priorities of the organization.

The organization management understands that the failure and success depend on the quality of their care and their innovativeness. For that reason, continuous improvements in areas of telemedicine technologies, ease access of electronic health records, mobile health clinics swift improved reimbursement approaches, well-designed market incentives, and diabetes prevention and control programs are some of the areas United Healthcare is focusing on its innovative strategy (Fry & Johnstone, 2008). These areas of focus are designed with care in a people-oriented strategy that solely focuses on improving the health, lifestyle, and well-being of the US nationals.

Educating the citizens and creating awareness on the need to control diet and obesity, stressing the need to exercise, the importance of screening for terminal diseases and preventing of preventable diseases is another strategy that the organization is looking to address health issues that will be affecting people in the coming decade. The organization is trying to address the long-term disease menace that has continuously threatened human life and well-being (Peloso, 2002). In the education program, the company stresses the need eat healthy foods, stay healthy to drastically reduce further complications for those already battling the diseases and minimize chances of contracting for those who are healthy.

Network growth and strategic planning are entrenched in the organization's vision and mission statements. The mission is "to help people live better lives" and its vision is "dedicated to making health care work better." The mission and vision are meant to aid the organization to achieve the set goals without losing sight of the important things. The wide network which spans in approximately twenty-four states in America enables the company to offer sufficient services in almost half of the states in America.

Nurse staffing which is another strategic plan that the organization utilizes equips the nursing professionals with relevant expanded skills and professional expertise that prepares them for the global dynamic and complex challenges. In 2008 for instance, the organization opened the Center for Nursing Advancement which helps nurses to advance their technical, patient care and leadership skills. To keep them motivated, boost their satisfaction levels and raise retention rates, the organization runs programs such as the clinical service awards, the DAISY awards, and educational advancement opportunities (Sethi, 2009). These awards and programs train and recognize nurses who have exemplary performance and help shape leaders who take part in the US health care system.

United Healthcare does not spare any resources when it comes to the enhancement of the healthcare quality. Their resource management strategy is impeccable; the company has invested in programs such as the Transplant Network System, diversity and inclusion programs, Social Responsibly among others (Sethi, 2009). United Health Group is taking center stage and leading the discussion in the application of evidence-based comparative data that seeks to develop policies that will improve patient care at the most minimum feasible cost (Huber, 2014). Telehealth network is a program that the organization has invested in that seeks to give patients access to physicians and specialists when they cannot make physical visits to the health facility. The program mostly targets rural Americans suffering from chronic diseases.

The Value System

The organization has entrenched in its organizational culture a relatable value system; compassion, trust, teamwork, integrity, performance, and relationships are among the values that make the organization stand out. In 2010 for instance, the organization won an award for the provision of high-quality services. Due to its exemplary service delivery, robust value system and dedicated healthcare services to its patients and healthcare professionals the company serves over 38 million people, over 65,000 healthcare officials in over 5,000 hospitals. Adherence to set federal laws such as The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and the ethical principles governing health care service delivery is a non-compromise (Fry & Johnstone, 2008). The medical practitioners under United Healthcare employment understand that adherence to these provisions cannot be compromised.

Cultural Workplace diversity is at the heart of the organization. The talent acquisition and recruitment program is competitive and all-inclusive. Employees are employed based on merit. New employees are given an organizational culture orientation tour to ensure that they understand the code of service and the workplace charter (Black & Chitty, 2014). The organization has the following recruiting programs to ensure diversity; recruiting military and veteran candidates, college recruitment program, employing employees who are over fifty years.

Conclusion

United healthcare is with no doubt one of the leading well-being and healthcare organizations in the United States. The organization is continuously striving to improve people's lives by availing cost-effective, high quality, and easily accessible health care. Telehealth, diabetic prevention, networking services, education and awareness, cancer network, cultural diversity are some of the programs and strategies that the organization uses to address healthcare needs of the citizens. The organization is also seeking new ways of addressing chronic and terminal diseases evidenced in their resource management scheme. Employee development and recognition programs offer growth opportunities; the organization invests in her employees hence maintaining interest in their work and keeping them motivated. Employee satisfaction and by extension patient satisfaction depends on such programs.

References

Black, B. P., & Chitty, K. K. (2014). Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://careers.unitedhealthgroup.com/why-work-here/diversity

Fry, S. T., & Johnstone, M. (2008). Ethics in nursing practice: A guide to ethical decision making. Chichester, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell.

Huber, D. (2014). Leadership and nursing care management (5th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO:Saunders Elsevier. ISBN-13:

Peloso, J. (2002). Health care. New York: H.W. Wilson.

Sethi, S. P. (2009). Healthcare Industry in the United States. Group Purchasing Organizations, 9-16. doi:10.1057/9780230621725_2