How UnitedHealth Group’s Optum Supports Community Pharmacies
UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company with a mission to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone, providing care for 152 million people around the globe.
The company has team members in two distinct and complementary businesses — Optum and UnitedHealthcare — working to help build a modern, high-performing health system. Optum delivers care aided by technology and data, empowering people, partners and providers with the guidance and tools they need to achieve better health, whilst UnitedHealthcare offers a full range of health benefits, enabling affordable coverage, simplifying the health care experience and delivering access to high-quality care.
Supporting access to care and improving patient outcomes
In a move to support those who need it most, Optum initiatives have recently provided over 26,000 in-network community and independent pharmacies with expanded support, focussing on areas including community resources, maternal wellness and meeting health care needs in urban and rural pharmacy deserts.
“Community and independent pharmacies are on the front lines of health care, playing an important role in connecting patients where they are with the care they need,” believes Patrick Conway, Optum’s CEO.
Alongside his role as practising paediatric hospitalist, Dr. Patrick Conway was named chief executive officer of Optum Rx in August 2023, having joined the company in February 2020. In this role, he leads an integrated pharmacy care services organisation that is making drugs more affordable and creating a better experience for consumers. Previously, he held the position of CEO at Care Solutions and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2014, received the President’s Senior Executive Distinguished Service Award, and was a White House Fellow from 2007 to 2008.
“Optum Rx is focused on ensuring pharmacists are recognised and rewarded for the vital role they play in providing care to patients. We are proud to partner with them as part of our broader commitment to positively impacting health equity by expanding access to care and preventative services in underserved communities.”
The company has further initiatives developed for 2024 — Resource Bridge, Bridge to Health Baby, Bridge to Pharmacy Care and Bridge to Provider Care — as well as working on streamlining its administrative processes to benefit pharmacists.
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