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“UnitedHealthcare is by far the most innovative of all healthcare companies because they have often embarked on journeys through their Optum platform and other programs that are innovative and dynamic. We are very proud to work with them because I think that they’ll be toe to toe with us, as we want to challenge and push the envelope to make something really innovative and great for our patients.”

These are big steps forward. Steps that are going to fundamentally transform relationships between physicians and health plans, because it is not just about rates any more, it is not just about buyer or vendor relationships. It is is about partnering around the needs of society.

“The significance of today, is that one of the largest health insurers in the state – with 3.5 million customers – United is teaming up with an ACO in order to bring those costs down and therefore to bring cost down in premiums. It is important to me that this works. It is important to me that our people have quality health care.”
“You start to put a focus on the quality of care and the outcome for the patient, instead of the quantity of care where a patient would go to this doctor and get one test, and this doctor and maybe get the same test – and none of it coordinated. That’s the purpose of an accountable care organization.”