UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group company, has announced the introduction of NavigateNOW, a virtual-first health plan that provides care both digitally and in person. Eligible UnitedHealthcare members will be able to obtain multiple forms of care, including as wellness, routine, chronic condition management, urgent, and mental health services, wherever they are, under this new health plan.
- New enrolments: Beginning this year, NavigateNOW will provide customers with a comprehensive medical plan that is easier, more convenient, and costs around 15% less than typical benefit plans for select businesses in nine markets. People who enroll in the NavigateNOW plan will have access to a personalized Optum care team for primary, urgent, and mental health care services, as well as a nationwide UnitedHealthcare network of care specialists, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Collaboration: “By collaborating with Optum, UnitedHealthcare is developing a more integrated and coordinated health care system that uses technology and personal support to help encourage whole-person health, which may help prevent and detect disease before it starts,” said Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual. “UnitedHealthcare and Optum will continue working together to modernize our approach to health benefits and care delivery, using technology and data to help make it more convenient for our members to access various types of medical care to support their physical and mental well-being.”
- Virtual care: Enrolled members will pay nothing for virtual and in-person primary care and behavioral health visits, virtual urgent care, and most generic prescriptions, and will have access to unlimited chat, online scheduling, and same-day appointments. Members of NavigateNOW also have access to a wearable device well-being program that allows them to earn more than $1,000 a year by meeting daily activity goals such as walking, cycling, swimming, and strength training.
- More options: “Patients want more options for getting the care that is convenient for them and their lives,” said Kristi Henderson, Optum senior vice president for digital transformation, and CEO of Optum Virtual Care, which includes Optum’s national virtual-first medical group. “Our work with UnitedHealthcare is designed to help make it simpler for patients and members to interact with their care providers by bringing together our digital resources and national clinical footprint to provide a more seamless, connected experience.”
- Locations: Optum’s new virtual care platform and virtual medical group enable NavigateNOW, making it easier to access care whenever and wherever it’s required. Employers in the following markets can take advantage of NavigateNOW: Little Rock, Arkansas; Fort Meyers, Florida; Pittsburgh; Springfield, Massachusetts; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Richmond, Virginia; Indianapolis; Dallas; and Houston.
