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UnitedHealth Group Analysis Confirms Chronically Ill Continue Receiving Needed Care When Enrolled in a Consumer-Driven Health Plan

Posted on: Monday, 23 April 2007, 09:00 CDT

Individuals enrolled in a consumer-driven health (CDH) plan receive needed care at rates equivalent to, or in many cases higher than, members of traditional plans, according to data released today by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH).

This new data illustrates how these plans are creating much more informed health care consumers who are better able to understand and navigate through important health decisions. It also helps alleviate concerns over whether consumer-driven plans will induce the chronically ill to forgo necessary treatment, or the healthy to avoid preventive care.

UnitedHealth Group, through its Definity Health business, analyzed 2004 and 2005 data for 250,000 of its consumer-driven plan members and compared it to an external, national benchmark population of 10 million traditional health plan members. The study examined consumer usage of preventive care services such as cancer screenings and well child care, as well as adherence to evidence-based care among individuals with chronic conditions, including diabetes, asthma, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.

According to Miles Snowden, M.D., UnitedHealth Group's senior vice president of Health Advancement Solutions, the analysis confirms that when consumers are given the proper ongoing support and tools to help them understand and navigate important health decisions, they continue to seek needed and appropriate care.

UnitedHealth Group is the largest provider of consumer-driven health plans in the country with more than 2 million members. The company analyzed claims data to determine utilization rates of preventive and evidence-based care using measures recommended by renowned national organizations such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the American Diabetes Association, and others. Key findings include:

Preventive and Well Child Care

Compared to the benchmark population, CDH members were:

16 percent more likely to have a cervical cancer screening.

10 percent more likely to receive a cholesterol screening.

16 percent more likely to receive a prostate screening.

8 percent more likely to have well child visits.

As likely to receive a colon cancer screening.

As likely to receive mammograms.

Diabetes

Compared to the benchmark population, CDH members were:

16 percent more likely to receive HbA1c tests. HbA1c testing is among the most important steps in monitoring diabetes and provides an average of an individual's blood glucose control over a six to 12 week period.

36 percent more likely to see their physician.

As likely to receive eye exams.

No more likely than the benchmark population to be admitted to the hospital or visit the emergency room for diabetes.

Congestive Heart Failure

Compared to the benchmark population, CDH members were:

41 percent more likely to receive creatinine tests, an important test of kidney function for those on heart medication.

26 percent more likely to receive potassium tests.

6 percent more likely to use ACE inhibitor medications, which block an enzyme that contributes to narrowing of the blood vessels.

As likely to receive an electrocardiogram.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Compared to the benchmark population, CDH members were:

22 percent more likely to receive lipid tests

As likely to visit a physician

Asthma

Compared to the benchmark population, CDH members were:

As likely to have a flu shot, a critical preventive measure for asthmatics.

No more likely to be admitted to the hospital or visit the emergency room for asthma.

"This data confirms that individuals are continuing to receive important health services and are not compromising the quality of their care," said Dr. Snowden. "Combined with other recent studies that show how CDH plans are successfully being used as a savings mechanism, we are beginning to develop a much more compelling and fact-based view of how consumer-focused strategies are working to support both health care affordability and quality."

This quality of care research is the third in a series of studies from UnitedHealth Group over the last nine months, creating a solid body of evidence illustrating that CDH plans are delivering positive changes in health care behaviors and costs for both employers and consumers:

A July 2006 study found that CDH plans constrain costs and utilization over time.

A January 2007 study found that Health Savings Accounts encourage saving among all consumer segments, including low-income populations as well as white-collar professionals.

This study of preventive and chronic-care services confirms that the above gains do not come at the expense of vulnerable populations or discourage individuals from seeking needed care.

For More on This Study

Visit the newsroom at www.unitedhealthgroup.com for a study summary, as well as copies of UnitedHealth Group's previously published studies on consumer-driven health plans.

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, Uniprise, Specialized Care Services and Ingenix. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves approximately 70 million individuals nationwide.

Source: Business Wire

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