Many factors affect health care delivery.

In today’s health care system, medical practices vary widely, which often results in varying care and results. These inconsistencies can cause health care costs to rise.

Care can vary from place to place, and from patient to patient, for a number of reasons. Some examples could include out-of-date knowledge about medical practices, too little staff support and miscommunication.

Guidelines and standards are available.

Medical guidelines are available for many different illnesses, conditions, treatments and procedures. The UnitedHealth Premium program recognizes physicians and specialty centers that follow guidelines for care provided by national quality organizations and independent medical societies.

Quality care matters.

One study of UnitedHealthcare claims data shows that cardiothoracic surgeons who earn a UnitedHealth Premium quality designation have 64% fewer redo procedures and a 59% lower complication rate for CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) surgeries than cardiothoracic surgeons who did not receive the quality designation.¹

¹ 2007 UnitedHealthcare Network (Par) Claims analysis for 132 UnitedHealth Premium markets.