Spine and Joint Solution

Connect with support—and our network of high quality facilities.

There’s a solution available as part of your health plan at no extra cost.

Benefit from improved surgical outcomes, reduced repeat hospital visits and more.*

Connect 1-on-1 with experienced orthopedic nurses for answers to your health questions.

Understand treatment costs and how you could save money.

Life is better without pain.

With the Spine and Joint Solution, you have options. When you enroll, you’ll connect with a dedicated team who will help you understand your treatment choices, decide where to go for care and enjoy a shorter recovery. It’s the easy way to find the right care for you.

 

You’ll also enjoy access to leading high quality facilities through the UnitedHealthcare Centers of Excellence (COE) network. Receiving care through this network can mean fewer complications and potentially lower out-of-pocket costs.

Here’s a preview of what you can expect.

Connect

First, you’ll speak with an orthopedic nurse to discuss your current activity and pain levels.

Explore

You and a specialized nurse will review all of your treatment options.

Support

For surgery, help scheduling appointments or travel arrangements for you and a companion to a COE facility.

Follow up

After surgery, a nurse will check in from time to time to see how well you’re recovering.

Call to get started at 1-888-936-7246, TTY 711

Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT

James’ Hip Surgery Story

“The surgery turned out great... It was reassuring when they called to make sure it was OK. I’m just happy with my quality of life, and I’m whole again.”

 

– James, a UnitedHealthcare member

Video

| James’ Hip Surgery Story
Show Transcript
Transcript | Print (PDF)

Video Transcript: James’ Hip Surgery Story

James Edwards, hip replacement patient

When I was 59, I first started experiencing some discomfort with my left hip. I figured that in time it would just heal itself. But it didn’t work out that way. And ultimately the discomfort was excruciating. I got to a point where it’s time to get this hip replaced.

I was informed that a new benefit that my employer made available to us included having all surgical procedures done at the specialty hospital in Durham. I did talk to Nancy with Optum, who is a registered nurse. Nancy did talk to me about this being one of the Centers of Excellence, and you know, I could have had it done in Raleigh but I went online and it appears that customer satisfaction with them was at a very high rate. Probably on the East Coast they were within the top five facilities.

They give you a lodging and travel expense voucher. The policy allows you to submit your mileage and your lodging and you’re reimbursed. The surgeon was really nice and told me what he would do for me. And I had a lot of confidence in him.

My wife named him [dog] Happy. Bear is his middle name because that’s what he looks like.

Kimberly Edwards, James’ wife

My husband received excellent care from the hospital, the doctors, the nurses, the facility. And the benefits. Oh my goodness, the benefits, whoa, yeah, great.

James Edwards

The surgery turned out great. I was taking physical therapy twice a week. And the exercises they’ve been having me do ensure that I will be able to go back and be whole at my job. Nancy called me prior to the surgical procedure. After the surgery was done and I came home, she talked to me. When I had my physical therapy, she called and she wanted to know was I in any pain. It was reassuring when they called to make sure that I was ok.

Kimberly Edwards

You need a person that’s going to give you the details and explain things. And people are comforted when they have someone that, that understand and care, and we got that.

James Edwards

I’m thankful for that surgeon’s hands and Nancy’s direction and my employer having the benefit for me. I don’t limp anymore. I’m just happy with my quality of life. And I’m whole again so for that I’m grateful.

Finding the right provider for you.

The UnitedHealthcare Spine and Joint Centers of Excellence (COE) network gives you access to many high quality facilities and doctors in the United States.

 

An orthopedic nurse can connect you with the center closest to you.

United States map of Spine and Joint Solution Centers of Excellence facilities.
Markets and timing are subject to change. This representation is not a commitment that all markets will be available by the targeted go-live date.

Program benefits

No extra cost
Take advantage of this program today — it’s provided at no extra cost as part of your benefit plan.
1-on-1 support
Speak with an orthopedic nurse for answers, information and encouragement along the way.
Quality facilities
Enjoy access to the Centers of Excellence (COE) network to find care that's right for you.
Cost reduction
Understand what you’ll pay up front, and identify possible ways to help you save on health care costs.
Results
Get support that may improve surgical results, reduce repeat hospital visits and promote shorter recovery.*
Confidentiality
Rest assured your health information is always kept confidential in accordance with the law.
Show more Show less
  1. Slide 0: Learn the proven results behind this nationally accredited program.
  2. Slide 1: Learn the proven results behind this nationally accredited program.
  3. Slide 2: Learn the proven results behind this nationally accredited program.

  • Learn the proven results behind this nationally accredited program.

    Participants who had joint replacement surgeries at a Centers of Excellence facility had a 22% lower readmission rate, compared to other facilities in the region.
    Source:  Optum Analysis, Book of Business, January 2015 – December 2016.

  • Learn the proven results behind this nationally accredited program.

    Participants who had spine surgeries at a Centers of Excellence facility had a 10% lower readmission rate, compared to other facilities in the region.
    Source: Optum Analysis, Book of Business, January 2015 – December 2016.

  • Learn the proven results behind this nationally accredited program.

    100 percent of members were satisfied with the nurse.
    Source:  Book of business survey results, average from Q1 2016 to Q4 2016. Results shown are not a guarantee of future performance.

Call to get started at 1-888-936-7246 TTY 711

Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT

*Optum Analysis, Book of Business, January 2015 – December 2016.

 

This program should not be used for emergency or urgent care needs. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The information provided through the nurse support service is for informational purposes only and provided as part of your health plan. The nurse cannot diagnose problems or recommend treatment and is not a substitute for your doctor’s care. Your health information is kept confidential in accordance with the law. This nurse support service is not an insurance program and may be discontinued at any time.

 

The Centers of Excellence (COE) program providers and medical centers are independent contractors who render care and treatment to health plan members. The COE program does not provide direct healthcare services or practice medicine, and the COE providers and medical centers are solely responsible for medical judgments and related treatments. The COE program is not liable for any act or omission, including negligence, committed by any independent contracted health care professional or medical center.

Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.

 

© 2017 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All rights reserved.