Stephen J. Farrell

It would be difficult to come up with a modern-day industry that has gone through the upheaval health care has. New regulations can leave patients feeling confused and powerless, while cost concerns loom over all decisions.

In reaction to this new landscape, Stephen J. Farrell, UnitedHealthcare of New England president and CEO, promotes wellness initiatives, quality care and personal information, all of which improve health and lower expenses.

He’s empowering more than 280,000 members in Rhode Island to make better choices about their health.

Farrell encourages patients to shop health plans, to ask questions, to be smart consumers. He’s formed partnerships to strengthen the overall health care landscape. In 2014, for example, United teamed up with Rhode Island Primary Care to improve medical accountability, offering payment incentives for things like better readmission rates and improved patient safety.

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“We have piloted programs to help people better manage chronic illness and enhanced the effectiveness of personal health tracking devices to … help our plan participants live healthier lives.” Farrell said.

Part of this strengthening includes choice, which exists via competition with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, but also by adding multiple options.

Wellness comes in many forms – United is active in its host communities across the region, donating money to help efforts to combat homelessness, or allowing employees to volunteer to help build a playground.

And under Farrell’s purview, the company leads by example. It was named one of Rhode Island’s Healthiest Employers by Providence Business News in 2015 for its own wellness efforts. •

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