Using new tools to help patients manage chronic conditions

Last January, Julia McBurnett, a homemaker from Alabama, was suffering from chest pains and high blood pressure and was promptly admitted to the hospital. This was a first-time occurrence for Julia and while she was still admitted, a registered nurse working for UnitedHealthcare called her up to check on how she was doing. Having been alerted to the specifics of her condition and risk factors by UnitedHealthcare's patient health management system (eSync), the RN gave Julia information about treating her blood pressure and resources for help controlling her weight. In the months since she was discharged, the RN has called Julia four more times to see how she is doing.

Julia says, "It was kind of surprising because I'd never had anyone follow up like that. She gave me a number to call anytime I wanted to talk to her, and she said if I needed help they had help available for me."

Calls from nurses to patients, like Julia, are being made every day thanks to a vast technology network set up by UnitedHealthcare to improve and personalize patient care and to make the system work more efficiently. And now Julia and her nurse are on a first name basis.

"I have been very happy with the help, concern, everything I have received from Kathy from UnitedHealthcare. Very happy."

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