Don't ignore that letter from UnitedHealthcare that showed up in your mailbox over the holidays. It tells you how you rank in United's Premium Designation program, which rates physicians' quality and cost efficiency.
A statement from the company says it sent the letters so physicians can review their assessments, seek clarification of the ratings, and, if necessary, request reconsideration before it makes the results public. Public disclosure is expected no earlier than March 4, United says.
The letters from United also give physicians the deadline to ask that their results not be posted on the United Web site until the company rules on their request for reconsideration.
Assessment reports are posted on United's Web site. The site also includes comprehensive information about the Premium Designation program, the process for requesting reconsideration, the detailed methodology used for the assessment, and other materials to help physicians learn more about the program.
E-mail unitedpremium[at]uhc[dot]com or call (866) 270-5588 if you lose your letter or the password to access your assessment report or if you have questions.
United says the enhancements to the Premium Designation program for 2008 "incorporate recommendations from the physician community, medical specialty societies, and physician advisory boards. The UnitedHealth Premium Designation program will continue to seek out and respect the collegial and collaborative input of physicians and their organizations as we all work together to advance performance assessment, improve clinical care, and support consumers through access to health information to make more informed and personally appropriate health care decisions."
Action , Jan. 6, 2009
Last Updated On
May 13, 2016
Originally Published On
March 23, 2010