Public sector employers, labor and trusts, like all other organizations, have suffered from inconsistent clinical outcomes, inefficient care for employees, and rising health care costs.

For example, a 2006 study in the New England Journal of Medicine said adults receive the recommended medical treatment only 55 percent of the time.¹

The good news is that public sector employers can help physicians and facilities adhere to evidence-based practices. That’s why choosing a network with physicians and facilities that follow consistent medical practices increases the quality of the health care your members receive.

So how do you determine the value of your provider network? Start with these factors:

• Support for adherence to evidence-based standards and best practices - We provide information and tools to physicians to help them meet evidence-based standards of care.
• Flexibility – We help members get the care they need when they most need it by offering more options and direct access to information.
• Accurate physician information - Accurate directory listings reduce costly, frustrating mistakes, like seeking care from a physician no longer in the network. 
• Cost efficiency - We evaluate and recognize physicians and facilities for cost efficiency.   

Here’s how we can help.
The UnitedHealth Premium® designation program fosters quality, efficiency and affordability of care by evaluating physicians and facilities on a number of criteria, including:

• Evidence-based, condition-specific rules for quality care.
• Cost-efficiency for episodes of care, including related services such as diagnostics, as well as complications and repeated procedures.

For their part, plan members have access to:

• Quality and cost information.
• Tools for choosing physicians and facilities.

Doctors and facilities who receive the UnitedHealth Premium designation have a track record of following evidence-based guidelines for quality care and delivering cost-efficient care. Best of all, UnitedHealth Premium is a free service to all members.

1. Asch et al. N Eng J Med. 2006 March 16; 354; 1147-1156. 

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