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Consumer-Directed Healthcare Leader, OptumHealth, Wants To Influence How Patients Choose Their Care

robwebb1OptumHealth is one of the largest health and wellness companies in the United States, providing services to about 58 million people. It is the umbrella organization for 12 consumer-directed healthcare companies recently purchased by UnitedHealth Group. I caught up with the CEO of OptumHealth Care Solutions, Rob Webb, at Health 2.0 to find out what they’re up to and how they’re hoping to contribute to healthcare reform.

Dr. Val: What does Optum Health do?

Webb: We work with about 300,000 people a day. We’re focused on the consumer-provider interaction and we try to help consumers make better decisions in four key areas: 1) help them find the right provider for their needs,  2) to provide them with an unbiased set of information about what their treatment options are 3) optimize their pharmaceutical regimens and medication compliance and 4) help them improve their lifestyle choices. In the past we focused a lot of our efforts on #3 because it’s so tangible and there’s an entire PBM (pharmacy benefits management) industry to help. Read more »

Latest Interviews

Dr. Val Reports Live From HIMSS To ABC News

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How Much Does Technology Improve Health?

Watch CBS News Videos Online Last week’s CDC report Health United States confirms that Americans are increasingly turning to medications scans and procedures to improve their health. Exercising eating right and weight loss not so much. Don’t get me wrong. I love technology as much as the next guy. Maybe…

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Latest Book Reviews

Genius On The Edge - The Life Story Of Dr. William Stewart Halsted

I am one who loves medical history and Genius On The Edge the bizarre double life of Dr. William Stewart Halsted was a captivating read. For those who don t know Dr. Halsted is known as the Father of Surgery and practiced medicine after the civil war. Written by author…

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Book Review: Genius On The Edge

I received a free copy of the book Genius on the Edge The Bizarre Double Life of Dr. William Stewart Halsted by Gerald Imber MD a week ago. I have enjoyed reading it. The book is the biography of Dr Halsted but also gives you a glimpse into the life…

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Book Review: Time to Care: Personal Medicine in the Age of Technology

In Francis Peabody famously said The secret of the care of the patient is in caring for the patient. A new book by Norman Makous MD a cardiologist who has practiced for years is a cogent reminder of that principle. In Time to Care Personal Medicine in the Age of…

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