Hey Idaho! Wondering What the World Is Optum Care? Let’s Dive In!

Alright, Idahoans, gather ‘round! If you’re on the brink of joining the Medicare party, you might be scratching your head, wondering, “What in the world is Optum?” Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down with a sprinkle of humor and a dash of clarity!

Optum: The Mythical Orange Beast

First off, you’ve probably seen the name Optum (or its cousins, Optum Health, Optum Care, OptumRx) popping up like confetti in the benefits descriptions of your Medicare Advantage plans. If you live in the Boise area or the larger Treasure Valley, and your recent history includes a consultation with a health insurance broker, you may have heard them name-dropping Optum and all the benefits they provide! Perhaps you’re already kicking it old school as an early adopter of one of the United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans managed by Optum Care. If so, you’re likely familiar with their avalanche of health and marketing communications (we apologize in advance for their overzealous approach. They want to help, they really do).

And Exactly What Is It That They Do?

If you were to ask an Optum employee who they are and what they do, you might get an answer that goes something like, “Optum Care is a value-based care organization responsible for delivering care focused on quality, performance, and patient experience to the United Healthcare customers empaneled to the Medicare Advantage networks they manage in Idaho.” Well, that should about clear it up for you.

Cue the collective, “Huh?”

So Who or What is Optum Care?

Okay, perhaps a little further explanation may be required. After all, skeptics abound.

In simpler terms, Optum Care is a division of United Health Group (United Healthcare). In the Boise area, they provide care directly through contracted local medical groups, like Boise Family Medicine, for several United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans available throughout Idaho. Optum Care helps to ensure that the quality of care provided by the network of local healthcare providers they manage delivers on the whole-person (physical, mental, social, and financial) approach needed to achieve optimal health outcomes for patients.

How Optum Works with Boise Family Medicine

Optum Care works with Boise Family Medicine, and other primary care providers like us, to achieve our aligned goals of treating the whole patient. Their assistance with identifying needed care, performing patient outreach, and tracking outcomes helps Boise Family Medicine deliver our vision of treating the individual, not just the illness. Every patient’s needs are unique. Optum Care provides Boise Family Medicine with valuable tools, insights, and guidance to make sure we are delivering the targeted care needed to maximize the use of benefits and resources available to help our United Healthcare, Medicare Advantage, patients live healthier lives and lower the cost of care.

We’re happy to have Optum Care as one of our partners in managing the delivery of better care to patients in the Treasure Valley and Idaho at large.