UnitedHealth Gives $5M to Support Healthcare Workers During COVID-19

The United Health Foundation is partnering with the CDC Foundation, Direct Relief, and the American Nurses Foundation to support the nation’s healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The $5 million initiative is part of UnitedHealth Group’s $60 million commitment to support those who are most impacted by the outbreak, including healthcare workers, seniors, hard-hit communities, and individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.

“Healthcare workers are on the leading edge of this pandemic, selflessly caring for patients in need while putting themselves in harm’s way day in and day out,” said Dr. Richard Migliori, chief medical officer, UnitedHealth Group.

“Working with outstanding national partners like the CDC Foundation, Direct Relief and the American Nurses Foundation will help to ensure we are caring for those who care for us by meeting the clinical, emotional and mental health needs of these frontline heroes.”

The $5 million partnerships include a $2 million donation to the CDC Foundation, which will fund the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as $2 million to Direct Relief to support the acquisition of PPE and supplies for healthcare workers providing care at community health centers, free clinics, and mobile clinics across the country.

United Health Foundation will also give $1 million to the American Nurses Foundation Coronavirus Response Fund for Nurses to help build a virtual support system and promote mental well-being for nurses across the nation.

These contributions will help aid healthcare workers on the frontlines of coronavirus.

“As we conclude another week fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, we are reminded each day how this threat impacts our daily lives and especially health care workers who are making sacrifices for all of us,” said Judy Monroe, MD, president and chief executive officer, CDC Foundation. “We are grateful to the United Health Foundation for its generosity to help us increase the resources to fulfill priority response needs.”

The partnerships with the CDC, Direct Relief, and the American Nurses Foundation will build on UnitedHealth Group’s efforts to combat COVID-19 and support impacted communities. The organization initially invested more than $60 million to help at-risk populations and support the healthcare workforce, and pioneered a non-invasive COVID-19 test that streamlines testing, reduces PPE usage and increases the safety of healthcare workers.

The company has also waived cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and treatment for UnitedHealthcare members and reduced prior authorization requirements, as well as accelerated payments for providers through the crisis.

“We are grateful to the healthcare providers and their teams who are on the front lines battling COVID-19,” David S. Wichmann, UnitedHealth Group’s CEO, said when announcing these new policies.

“The actions we are taking today will provide nearly $2 billion in accelerated payments and financial support so our care provider partners can focus on delivering needed care.”

Additionally, UnitedHealth Group has made efforts to expand access to telehealth services and virtual visits by redeploying 5,000 Optum clinicians to expand telehealth capabilities.

The donations will build on these projects and further help those who are caring for patients impacted by COVID-19.

“The United Health Foundation’s donation will help us boost our support to frontline health care workers in states that have been disproportionately impacted,” said Thomas Tighe, president and chief executive officer, Direct Relief. “This is especially important for the clinical and support staff at safety-net health care facilities as we work to ensure they have the resources necessary to continue to provide lifesaving care during this time of crisis.”

With this initiative, UnitedHealth will continue the battle against COVID-19.

“The United Health Foundation’s generous support will allow us to leverage technology to expand our reach and support the mental health and well-being of the nation’s registered nurses on the front lines of the pandemic,” said Kate Judge, executive director, American Nurses Foundation.