Cost management
Employer medical costs are set to climb 8.5% in 20261 – a surge is fueled by regulatory changes, an aging workforce and a rise in chronic conditions. Additionally, the growing use of costly specialty drugs and more frequent catastrophic claims, along with increased behavioral health needs, are contributing to higher expenses.2 To tackle these challenges, employers may want to consider adopting a strategic, comprehensive approach to cost management that aims to reduce health care spending without sacrificing the quality of the benefits offered.
Managing cost trend while delivering on quality
Video transcript
A blue U with three stripes appears on the screen. It starts to wiggle and moves offscreen to reveal a video montage of everyday people in different working scenarios. A female announcer is speaking. Music plays throughout.
ANNOUNCER: Employers today are dealing with economic challenges and increasing healthcare expenses, which may be impacting them and their workforce. A strategic approach to cost management can be a game changer.
The video cuts to an animation of three different colored folders. The folders move to the left of the screen to reveal white text. The female announcer continues speaking.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
Upfront cost information
Cost-effective care
Reduce out-of-pocket costs
ANNOUNCER: At UnitedHealthcare, this includes health plan designs built to provide upfront cost information, encourage more cost-effective care, and reduce out-of-pocket costs for employees.
The video dissolves to a white screen with purple text. A cellphone moves in from the right revealing an app with pricing.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
surest
ANNOUNCER: For instance, with the Surest plan, members can view and compare co-pays in advance without having to worry about deductibles and coinsurance.
The video cuts to a map with dollar amounts then a cell phone appears.
TEXT ON SCREEN: Surest analysis of member access to providers across the book of business, based on 2022 provider pricing.
The video cuts to a montage of different people using the app on their phones.
TEXT ON SCREEN: 2024 Surest book-of-business analysis comparing outcomes of shoppers, non-shoppers and a norm. Norm based on non-Surest, traditional plans.
ANNOUNCER: As a result, Surest members tend to choose low-cost, high-value options more often, delivering savings for both employers and employees.
The screen dissolve to a dark blue outline of the United States over a light blue background. White and blue text appears.
TEXT ON SCREEN:
1.8M+ physicians and health care professionals
UnitedHealthcare internal analysis, June 30, 2025.
The text on map disappear and new text appear. White and blue text appears.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
5.6K+ hospitals
UnitedHealthcare internal analysis, June 30, 2025.
ANNOUNCER: Many UnitedHealthcare plans are paired with a broad national network of healthcare providers and facilities, including providers recognized for delivering high-value care.
The screen dissolves to an animation of a doctor’s clipboard and stethoscope.
ANNOUNCER: Focusing on effective prevention and management of chronic conditions with clinical and care management programs is an important strategy too as chronic conditions can account for a significant portion of employers' total healthcare spend.
The screen dissolves to a black circle with a small white triangle with an exclamation mark in the middle of the triangle. White text appears.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
29% of employer health care spend is from chronic conditions
UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual book-of-business data, Dec. 2023. Excludes Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The video cuts to a video montage of healthcare employees working with patients and each other.
ANNOUNCER: Targeted support may help drive more informed healthcare decisions, reduce complications, and cut associated costs.
The screen dissolves to a blue background with white text.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
Up to $15.80 medical cost savings per member per month with Personal Health Support
Personal Health Support is a clinical care management total population solution embedded in UnitedHealthcare medical plans for self-funded employers. Medical cost savings per member per month. Average savings according to 2023 UnitedHealthcare book of business leading indicators. Actual results will vary.
The video dissolves to an animation of dollar bills falling into a trash can. Blue text appears to the right.
ANNOUNCER: No cost management strategy is complete without solutions designed to help reduce wasteful spending.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
≈25% Wasteful unnecessary
Waste in the U.S. Health Care System: Estimated Costs and Potential for Savings.
JAMA, Oct. 7, 2019. Available: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/
2752664. Accessed: July. 23. 2025.
The video cuts to a montage of employees and everyday people working and looking at their phones. The screen then dissolves to blue text over a white background.
ANNOUNCER: With almost 25 percent of healthcare spending considered wasteful or unnecessary, payment integrity solutions that are designed to help ensure employers and employees are only paying for care and services rendered can make a big difference.
ON CREEN TEXT:
$6.8B in medical cost savings due to Payment Integrity interventions on 49.6M claims
Based on UnitedHealthcare FI and ASO commercial book of business 2023 claims reporting. 250 million claims were processed/adjudicated in 2023, all of which were subject
to review by the Payment Integrity suite of solutions.
The video cuts to a montage of employees working in different office settings.
ANNOUNCER: At UnitedHealthcare, we look beyond network discounts alone and take a more strategic approach which delivered a lower total cost of care compared to others in the market.
The screen dissolves to white text over a blue background.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
10% average lower cost of care with UnitedHealthcare compared to other national carriers
Wakely Consulting Group: By looking at risk-adjusted allowed claims per member per month (PMPM) in 2021, Wakely was able to perform a holistic comparison of UnitedHealthcare's ability to drive cost savings for members and determined it outperformed the market by approximately 10% - even though UnitedHealthcare is not the leader in discounts in many of these markets. Site of care redirection, inpatient management and preventive care utilization are key savings drivers.
The video dissolves to a man looking at his cellphone in an office, a woman walking looking ot cell phone, multiple shots of people working in a conference room, a family is at a picnic table, a mother holding her daughter talking on the phone, two officer works give each other a high five.
ANNOUNCER: It's not just about cutting costs; it's about protecting employers' financial goals and meeting employees' health needs and budgets. Because at the end of the day, investing wisely in the health and future of every member is an investment in the health and future of every employer.
The video dissolves to blue text over a white background.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
Talk to your broker, consultant or UnitedHealthcare representative to learn more
It then dissolves to three lines that swirl and creates a UHC Logo. Blue text appears on the center of the screen, followed by a gray disclaimer. The music fades.
ON SCREEN TEXT:
Certain preventive care items and services, including immunizations, are provided as specified by applicable law, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA),
with no cost-sharing to you. These services may be based on your age and other health factors. Other routine services may be covered under your plan, and some plans may require
copayments, coinsurance or deductibles for these benefits. Always review your benefit plan documents to determine your specific coverage details.
Disease Management programs and services may vary on a location-by-location basis and are subject to change with written notice. UnitedHealthcare does not guarantee availability
of programs in all service areas and provider participation may vary. Certain items may be excluded from coverage and other requirements or restrictions may apply. If you select a new
provider or are assigned to a provider who does not participate in the Disease Management program, your participation in the program will be terminated. Self-Funded or Self-Insured
Plans (ASO) covered persons may have an additional premium cost. Please check with your employer.
Employee benefits including group health plan benefits may be taxable benefits unless they fit into specific exception categories. Please consult with your tax specialist to determine
taxability of these offerings.
Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates.
Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.
© 2025 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 25-4452600
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Health plan and networks designed to help make quality care more affordable
Understanding and choosing the right medical plan and network configuration for your employee population can help ensure you and your employees get the most out of their health insurance, at the lowest possible cost. From fully insured, level funded and self-funded medical plans to a wide variety of network configurations, UnitedHealthcare has options that meet just about every employer’s needs.
Care and clinical management programs aimed at supporting better health outcomes and lower costs
The prevalence of complex and chronic conditions — and the costs that accompany them — demands clinical and care management programs built to help employees navigate their care journey. Targeted clinical and care management programs can help deliver more efficient and cost-effective care, improve health outcomes and ultimately reduce costs.
Solutions designed to protect members’ dollars
UnitedHealthcare ultimately pays 98% of all claims received for eligible members as long as the claims are submitted in a timely manner, do not contain missing or incorrect information and are not duplicate submissions.2 We are also committed to ensuring members are paying for the care rendered. Our payment integrity solutions are designed to help resolve claims issues before a member has to pay for care, potentially saving money for employers and employees.