PRESS RELEASE

UnitedHealthcare, North Carolina Safety-Net Health System Partner to Support Medicaid Beneficiaries and People with Dual Special Needs

May 08, 2018
  • Partnership to focus on improving access to care for people who live in underserved communities
  • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan is the first organization to partner with North Carolina Safety-Net Health System

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina is partnering with the North Carolina Safety-Net Health System to develop innovative solutions and pilot programs to support the health of Medicaid beneficiaries and people with dual special needs.

UnitedHealthcare will support the System’s work to remove or lessen barriers to care by focusing on preventive health services, such as perinatal and maternal care, and addressing local access challenges and social determinants of health – such as poverty, unemployment and lack of access to healthy foods – that affect the well-being of people who live in rural and underserved communities or who are at risk of chronic disease.

“Our partnership will enable us to reach more people throughout the state and have a greater, positive impact on North Carolinians, some of whom have the greatest need for quality health care,” said Anita Bachmann, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina. “As the first organization to collaborate with the North Carolina Safety-Net Health System, we are grateful for the opportunity to help people across the state live healthier lives.”

The North Carolina Safety-Net Health System is an association of organizations supporting increased access to care through a statewide network of 285 Public Health Unit sites, 238 Federally Qualified Health Center sites, 95 free and charitable clinic sites and more than 80 school-based health center sites. Last year North Carolina Safety-Net Health System organizations provided primary care to more than 1.1 million North Carolinians, nearly 45 percent of whom were uninsured. Collectively, Safety-Net Health System providers care for more than 40 percent of the state’s Medicaid beneficiaries.

“UnitedHealthcare is demonstrating its commitment to safety-net providers by being the first managed care organization to partner with our organization,” said Lynette Tolson, executive director of the North Carolina Association of Public Health Departments. “The support and resources it brings to the table will help us develop new initiatives to improve the health of the people we serve.”

“UnitedHealthcare appreciates the value safety-net care providers bring to the local community,” said Randy Jordan, CEO of North Carolina Association of Free & Charitable Clinics. “Its partnership with the Safety-Net Health System will make a tremendous difference in the health and well-being of people who live in our most vulnerable areas.”  

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.2 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter.