FAQs

Who is Optum? Optum is an information and health-services provider dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone. Optum is part of UnitedHealth Group and like Encompass Medical Group, Optum is a physician-led, patient centered organization focused on high-quality care and a great patient experience.

What are Optum’s mission, vision, and values compared to Encompass Medical Group’s? Optum and Encompass Medical Group share common goals around providing patients with high-quality, cost-effective care in ways  that make health care simpler, more effective and more affordable.

Optum’s mission is to help people live healthier lives and to help make the health system work better for everyone. Optum’s six values include integrity, compassion, inclusion, relationships, innovation and performance, and unite team members to most effectively deliver quality in service of its mission. 

Why did Optum choose to invest in Encompass Medical Group? Encompass Medical Group has agreed to join Optum Health, bringing Encompass Medical Group into the health care delivery arm of Optum. Optum Health and Encompass Medical Group share common goals around providing patients with high-quality, local care in ways that make health care simpler, more effective and more affordable.

How does being part of Optum benefit Encompass Medical Group? Joining Optum allows Encompass Medical Group to continue delivering physician-led care while gaining access to Optum’s clinical expertise, advanced capabilities and value-based care model. This support enhances Encompass Medical Group’s ability to improve care quality, patient experience and affordability. It also strengthens the organization’s position for future growth, including expanding services, recruiting top medical talent and developing innovative care solutions.

How does being part of Optum benefit Encompass Medical Group customers? Patients of Encompass Medical Group will continue receiving the same high-quality, locally delivered care they trust, now enhanced by Optum’s resources and innovations. This includes access to wrap-around medical and behavioral services, improved care coordination and a value-based care approach that focuses on wellness and managing complex conditions. The partnership ensures that patients receive care when and where it’s needed, with a continued emphasis on affordability and excellence.

Organizationally, where will I fit into the UnitedHealth Group enterprise? You will be part of the Optum Health business within Optum, the health services arm of UnitedHealth Group. Optum Health supports care providers with the data, technology, and business solutions needed to enhance the patient experience, improve clinical quality and streamline care coordination. The Mid-America region is a growth-focused area within Optum Health that uses a provider network model, with contributions from Holston Medical Group, Colonial Healthcare, Unity Health Network, American Health Network (AHN), Optum Care Network (OCN) and the Optum Health Network (OHN). This model is designed to deliver high-quality, local care while leveraging the scale and capabilities of the broader Optum and UnitedHealth Group enterprise.

When will Encompass Medical Group be fully integrated and what does that mean? Integration is a multi-step process and Encompass Medical Group and Optum leadership are already working together to identify opportunities for alignment and collaboration. Integration does not occur all at once — it is completed in phases (e.g., HR/people, clinical programs, technology) and varies based on business needs. You will be updated as the timing for additional phases gets defined.

Will this change how Encompass Medical Group operates? You may experience operational changes over time as Encompass Medical Group and Optum come together. Our focus remains on providing quality care to those we serve and we may evolve our strategy, look for opportunities to share best practices, and improve our tools and processes now that we have the capabilities and strengths of both organizations.

Will this change my role and responsibilities? Roles and responsibilities are anticipated to remain the same. Over time, they may evolve with the needs of the organization as part of our normal course of business.

Will there be more opportunities for advancement in the company? UnitedHealth Group is committed to fostering a culture of growth and development among employees. Post-integration, you'll have access to several career development resources, opportunities, and a larger network, and you'll be able to map your own career journey with support from your manager.

Will my current work schedule change? No. Work schedules will continue to be set by your local leaders.

Will my manager change as a result of people integration? Organizational change is anticipated to be minimal because of this transition. Affected team members will be notified as soon as possible if there are changes.

Will the Encompass Medical Group leadership team remain in place? The Encompass Medical Group leadership team is a core asset and Optum/UnitedHealth Group plans to continue to leverage their expertise leading up to and after integration.

What is the People Team? That’s the term UnitedHealth Group uses to describe its Human Resources (HR) team.

How are integration decisions made? To ensure good collaboration and partnership, representatives from Encompass Medical Group are included in the various workstreams, which includes an Oversight Team and an Executive Steering Committee. In addition, UnitedHealth Group has an established governance model to guide the relationship, define priorities, and make critical decisions.

Will I receive credit for my years of service with Encompass Medical Group? And, if I previously worked at a UnitedHealth Group company, will I receive credit for that service? Yes, to both. You will receive credit for your combined years of employment at Encompass Medical Group and any prior years of employment with UnitedHealth Group and any of its affiliates.

Where is UnitedHealth Group headquartered? UnitedHealth Group is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, near Minneapolis. Team members are based in company facilities and work remotely around the world.

Will I need to relocate? No. There are no current plans to change where you work and/or move or consolidate offices.

Will there be a change to our dress code? No. Local leadership will continue to establish dress code guidelines.

Will my email address and/or phone number change? For most team members, no, although you may receive a new email and/or phone number at some point in the future.

Will Encompass Medical Group’s name change? For now, the Encompass Medical Group brand will remain. It is business as usual as we begin the planning process for how we will move forward with Optum.

What happens to the Encompass Medical Group brand? For now, Encompass Medical Group and its regional brands will remain intact because the company has a distinguished brand with an excellent reputation in the market.

What will be communicated to patients? The important relationships Encompass has with its patients will not change. Our dedication to providing high-quality, patient-centered care will remain the same, and patients will continue to rely on the same network of providers and receive care at the same locations.   

How will this partnership benefit Encompass Medical Group’s patients? Patients will continue to enjoy the excellent services they’ve come to expect from Encompass Medical Group, and in the future, will benefit from enhanced services resulting from our collective investments in technology, added resources, and health care expertise.

What is the UnitedHealth Group culture like? The UnitedHealth Group enterprise is committed to building a culture where we are fueled by our Mission, living our Values and delivering Quality to each other and every person we serve. The Mission across the UnitedHealth Group enterprise is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Our six core Values — Integrity, Compassion, Inclusion, Relationships, Innovation and Performance — give us a shared understanding and a set of expectations around how we can fulfill our purpose and deliver a quality experience in service of our Mission. To learn more, visit the Connecting to Culture page.