UnitedHealth Group announces formation of new European health care company

UnitedHealth Group have announced that it has established a new European company, led by a British management team, to serve European public health systems. The new company’s mission is to support public health systems in their efforts to improve patient care. UnitedHealth Group is already successfully working on pilot programs with the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. Its European management team will include leading health care experts from the United Kingdom.

Working in partnership with health agencies, clinicians and patients, the new company will develop innovative tools and services to support the provision of care. These services would include the Evercare program, currently piloted with the NHS, to identify chronically and seriously ill patients at risk of hospital admission and provide the care necessary to prevent the need for a hospital stay, as well as a range of other services.

The company’s approach will enable a better use of health service resources and deliver a more flexible care program for patients. UnitedHealth Group also announced today the new company’s management team:

• Richard Smith will be chief executive officer. He has been editor of the BMJ and chief executive officer of the BMJ Publishing Group for 13 years.
• Simon Stevens, currently the Prime Minister’s health policy advisor, will be the company’s president. He will also become a vice president of UnitedHealth Group, working with its global clients, and contributing to its work with the U .S . government.
• Gail Marcus, a health care executive with more than 20 years of experience, will be chief operating officer.
• Lois Quam, a senior executive at UnitedHealth Group, will be responsible for the European company. An executive with the company since 1989, Ms. Quam has an accomplished record in public service, having led public bodies advocating for universal health care in the United States.

Ms. Quam made the following comments regarding the management team: “ Richard Smith's ability to understand what makes a difference for doctors will make him an exceptional chief executive officer. His record of innovation at the BMJ has been extraordinary. Simon Stevens exemplifies an ability to change services in the interests of patients. He also brings significant management experience to this new company. Gai l Marcus is an exceptional senior executive with a wealth of experience. She brings to the new European company a strong background in product management, finance and information technology. The appointment of this strong management team underlines our commitment to the UK and European health care sectors.”

Gail Marcus has already begun working with the new company. Richard Smith and Simon Stevens will join the company later this year. It will be headquartered in London.

Ms Quam said, “Our organization will partner with health agencies, clinicians, managers and patients to provide better care programs. We are delighted and delighted to be already successfully working with the NHS and over time hope to deliver programs in other countries.”

Biographies of the management team and further information are available at: www.unitedhealthgroup.com/about/europeanhealthservices.htm