UnitedHealthcare Invests $1.5 Million to Expand School-Based Health Care Services across Iowa

Rhea-AI Summary

UnitedHealthcare has invested $1.5 million in school-based telehealth services across Iowa, partnering with Hazel Health to provide mental health support to around 100,000 K-12 students. This initiative aims to address rising mental health issues such as depression and anxiety among youth by offering virtual therapy sessions at schools and homes.

The investment focuses on underserved and rural communities, representing 21% of Iowa's K-12 students. The first phase involves building technological infrastructure, with services starting in August in districts like Des Moines, Council Bluffs, and Cedar Rapids.

UnitedHealthcare's commitment extends to employing over 1,400 people in Iowa and serving more than 450,000 residents through various health plans.

Positive

• UnitedHealthcare's $1.5 million investment expands mental health support for 100,000 K-12 students in Iowa.
• The initiative addresses mental health issues like depression and anxiety among youth.
• Hazel Health will provide virtual therapy sessions, making mental health services more accessible.
• Targeting underserved and rural communities represents 21% of Iowa's K-12 students.
• The first phase of the project involves building technological infrastructure.
• Mental health services to start in August in key districts like Des Moines, Council Bluffs, and Cedar Rapids.
• UnitedHealthcare employs over 1,400 people in Iowa, serving more than 450,000 residents.

Negative

• The initiative may face challenges in effectively building and integrating the technological infrastructure within the planned timeline.
• There is a risk of delays in providing mental health services if the infrastructure setup encounters issues.
• Investment of $1.5 million may not be sufficient to address all mental health needs across such a large number of students.

Insights

Financial Analyst

UnitedHealthcare's $1.5 million investment in expanding school-based health care services through telehealth provider Hazel Health is a strategic move. This initiative not only addresses a critical gap in mental health services but also positions UnitedHealthcare as a proactive player in community health initiatives. The investment aims to reach approximately 21% of all K-12 students in Iowa, particularly in underserved and rural areas. From a financial perspective, this move could enhance UnitedHealthcare's brand equity and foster long-term loyalty among families. The focus on mental health, an increasingly recognized aspect of overall health, aligns with growing consumer awareness and demand for holistic health solutions. While the immediate financial impact may be minimal, the long-term benefits could include reduced healthcare costs through early intervention and increased member retention.

Rating: 1

Market Research Analyst

This initiative highlights UnitedHealthcare's responsiveness to the growing mental health crisis among youth, especially in rural and underserved communities. By partnering with Hazel Health, a leader in school-based telehealth, UnitedHealthcare taps into an emerging market segment that prioritizes accessibility and convenience. This move also positions UnitedHealthcare favorably against competitors who may not have similar initiatives. The strategic partnership reflects a trend towards integrating health services within educational settings, a model that could gain more traction in the coming years. For investors, this indicates a forward-thinking approach, potentially leading to broader market influence and a stronger community-based service portfolio.

Rating: 1

Healthcare Policy Expert

UnitedHealthcare’s expansion into school-based telehealth services is significant in the context of healthcare policy. This investment addresses key policy concerns related to mental health access, particularly in rural and underserved areas. By providing virtual mental health services, the company navigates regulatory and logistical challenges that often hinder physical healthcare facilities. This initiative is also likely to resonate well with policymakers and community stakeholders, reinforcing UnitedHealthcare's commitment to public health. The focus on telehealth aligns with broader healthcare trends, emphasizing accessibility, cost-effectiveness and preventive care, which are increasingly becoming focal points in healthcare policy discussions.

Rating: 1

Funding provided to school-based telehealth provider Hazel Health, who will partner with school systems across Iowa to enable access to mental health support for approximately 100,000 K-12 students

UnitedHealthcare Community & State of Iowa has announced a $1.5 million investment in school-based telehealth to expand access to mental health care for K-12 students in Iowa.

This funding will give Hazel Health, a telehealth provider that focuses on school-based solutions, the resources needed to partner with school systems and build the technological infrastructure required to bring quality mental health services to where students spend most of their day — school and home.

“Helping students achieve good mental health is essential for their overall wellbeing and influences their ability to succeed in school and life,” said Dr. Brian Masterson, senior behavioral health medical director of UnitedHealth Group, parent company of UnitedHealthcare. “Providing virtual mental health services in schools supports access to care for children who need it, while removing obstacles such as transportation and appointments scheduling difficulties.”

The investment will impact approximately 100,000 students in historically underserved and rural communities, which represents nearly 21% of all K-12 students in Iowa.

When the technological infrastructure is installed, schools will have Hazel Health therapists available to create personalized, evidence-based, age-appropriate programs for each K-12 student they serve.

In recent years, there have been significant increases in certain mental health disorders in youth, including depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. In fact, suicide is the second largest case of death among Iowans ages 5-24.

“Ninety-five percent of kids spend most of their waking hours at school. To support young people where they are, we must forge cross-sector partnerships that integrate health care access points directly into the K-12 education system,” said Josh Golomb, CEO of Hazel Health. “Amid today’s growing youth mental health crisis, schools can play a pivotal role in identifying unmet mental health needs among our children, connecting them to timely interventions before they reach a crisis point, and bridging their families to the broader health care ecosystem.”

After the first phase of infrastructure building, therapists will start providing mental health services to students in August. Confirmed districts where the services will be provided include Des Moines, Council Bluffs and Cedar Rapids. Additional districts in urban and rural areas of the state will be added throughout the summer.

UnitedHealthcare employs over 1,400 people in Iowa. The company serves more than 450,000 people across the state enrolled in employer-sponsored, Medicare Advantage and Dual Special Needs plans with a network of 126 hospitals and approximately 21,483 physicians and other care providers.

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.6 million physicians and care professionals, and 8,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter.

About Hazel Health

Hazel Health is the nation’s largest and most trusted provider of school-based telehealth. By partnering with districts and health plans across the country, Hazel transforms schools into the most accessible front door to pediatric healthcare. Today, Hazel’s licensed providers deliver teletherapy and virtual care (in school or at home) to over four million K-12 students, regardless of their ability to pay. Hazel aims to remove all barriers to the mental and physical health care that children need to thrive: in school, at home, and in life. www.Hazel.co.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240604508411/en/

Urko Lapedriza

UnitedHealthcare

952-251-6342

urko.lapedriza@uhc.com

Source: UnitedHealthcare

FAQ

What is the recent investment by UnitedHealthcare in Iowa?

UnitedHealthcare has invested $1.5 million to expand school-based telehealth services across Iowa.

What is the purpose of UnitedHealthcare's $1.5 million investment?

The investment aims to provide mental health support to approximately 100,000 K-12 students in Iowa.

Which company is UnitedHealthcare partnering with for this initiative?

UnitedHealthcare is partnering with Hazel Health to provide the telehealth services.

When will the mental health services begin in Iowa schools?

Mental health services are expected to start in August.

Which Iowa districts will first receive the mental health services?

The districts include Des Moines, Council Bluffs, and Cedar Rapids.

What percentage of Iowa's K-12 students will be impacted by this initiative?

The initiative will impact about 21% of all K-12 students in Iowa.

What challenges might UnitedHealthcare face with this investment?

Potential challenges include delays in building the technological infrastructure and providing timely mental health services.