UnitedHealthcare’s Surest is revolutionizing healthcare through a deductible-free, commercial health plan that prioritizes transparency and member empowerment. Surest’s strategic rebranding in 2022, under CEO Alison Richards’ guidance, reflects a commitment to simplicity and clarity. The plan’s unparalleled success is fueled by impressive results, including increased preventive care utilization, significant cost reductions for members and employers, and heightened member satisfaction. Surest’s innovative features, such as an app allowing members to compare healthcare prices, underscore its commitment to transparency. As it expands to over 4.4 million employees in 2024, Surest signifies a consumer-centric shift in the health insurance landscape.
UnitedHealthcare’s Surest, a deductible-free commercial health plan, has emerged as a game-changer, delivering substantial savings for employers and employees through a unique and empowering healthcare experience. Surest CEO, Alison Richards, shared insights with Becker’s on the strategies and success behind this innovative plan.
Q: Recently, Surest underwent a rebranding. What was the reasoning behind this change?
Alison Richards:** In 2022, we introduced the name Surest. This simple name reflects the clarity, confidence, and control that our members experience with our health plans. Surest empowers individuals with options, offering upfront cost and care details, allowing them to prioritize providers based on their needs. After considering numerous options, Surest resonated the most with consumers, employers, and care providers.
Q: Surest is your fastest-growing commercial health plan. What’s driving this success?
AR: The plan’s growth is fueled by remarkable outcomes, including heightened member satisfaction, increased preventive care access, and reduced overall costs. Surest is transforming healthcare accessibility and affordability for UnitedHealthcare members nationwide. Key achievements include:
1. Higher rates of preventive care: Surest members experienced a 20% surge in physician visits and a 9% increase in preventive physical exams, with a 15% improvement in mammograms and a 34% higher rate of colonoscopies.
2. Lower healthcare costs: Members paid 54% less out of pocket, and employers reported an average savings of 11%. Notably, inpatient hospital admissions decreased by 13%, and emergency room use dropped by 6%, resulting in significant cost reductions.
3. Improved member satisfaction: Surest achieved a Net Promoter Score significantly higher than industry benchmarks. A staggering 90% of members re-enroll annually, highlighting strong resonance with consumers.
Q: Surest’s app allows members to compare healthcare service prices. Is this limited to in-network providers, and should all UnitedHealthcare members explore price options?
AR: Surest members can access upfront cost and coverage information for in-network providers. UnitedHealthcare has long provided quality and cost data to millions of members, aligning with consumer preferences. A recent survey showed that 94% of adults believe healthcare entities should disclose specific price information.
Q: Surest is expanding to more than 4.4 million employees in 2024. How are customers selected, and what is the current enrollment?
AR: Employers decide to adopt Surest, with hundreds already offering it to employees. Notably, one in five national account customers for 2024 has embraced this plan. Specific enrollment details at the individual plan level are not disclosed.
Q: Surest is saving employers 11% while lowering employee out-of-pocket costs by 54%. Is this attributed to the plan’s price transparency?
AR: Surest’s design emphasizes easy comparison shopping through value-based copays instead of confusing deductibles and co-insurance. An illustrative example demonstrates the significant impact on costs. Surest empowers members to save nearly $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses and employers over $60,000 by selecting more affordable care providers.
Q: Will UnitedHealthcare extend similar “shopping” features to all commercial plans?
AR: UnitedHealthcare believes in providing access to quality and cost information for all. The company has been at the forefront of healthcare transparency for over a decade, offering millions of members’ data for over 19,000 medical services.
Q: What does Surest’s success indicate about the future of the health insurance industry?
AR: The success of Surest highlights the efficacy of consumer-centric approaches. People make informed choices when provided with understandable plans and timely information. We anticipate continued growth as more employers and consumers recognize the value of this reimagined approach.
Overall, UnitedHealthcare’s Surest stands as a beacon of success in the evolving healthcare landscape. By prioritizing simplicity, transparency, and member empowerment, Surest has achieved remarkable growth, impacting preventive care, reducing costs, and garnering high member satisfaction. The plan’s innovative features, including upfront cost information and value-based copays, exemplify a consumer-centric approach that fosters informed decision-making. As Surest continues its expansion, reaching millions more in 2024, it not only transforms the health insurance experience for individuals but also sets a precedent for the industry. The success of Surest reflects a promising future where healthcare is accessible, affordable, and tailored to individual needs.
