Ucare Minnesota

TO OPERATE A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY SERVED BY MAKING QUALITY HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE ON AN ECONOMICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS PREPAID BASIS.

UCARE ORGANIZES AND OPERATES A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO) PROVIDING COORDINATED HEALTH CARE AND COVERAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 640,000 INDIVIDUALS FROM THE COMMUNITY ENROLLED IN STATE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, FEDERAL MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAMS, DUALLY ELIGIBLE MEDICARE, AND MEDICAID PROGRAMS, AND MNSURE MARKETPLACE PLANS. UCARE'S PROGRAMS PROVIDE SERVICES TO SENIORS, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, THOSE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE CHALLENGES ACCESSING HEALTH CARE. UCARE IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES AND MAKES QUALITY HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE ON AN ECONOMICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS, PREPAID BASIS TO THAT COMMUNITY. OUR SERVICES ARE GUIDED BY UCARE'S MISSION WHICH IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR MEMBERS THROUGH INNOVATIVE SERVICES AND PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS COMMUNITIES.THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONTINUED TO IMPACT UCARE'S PLANNED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR 2021. UCARE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT FOCUS, PRIORITIES, AND RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND PRESSING NEEDS OF MEMBERS. UCARE CONTINUES TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT TO DEVELOP INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF OUR MEMBERSHIP. OUR STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONS HAVE BEEN TAILORED TO REDUCE DISPROPORTIONATE BURDEN OF COVID-19 AMONG DIVERSE POPULATION GROUPS THAT ARE AT INCREASED RISK FOR INFECTION AND SEVERE ILLNESS AS WELL AS WORKING TO ADDRESS HEALTH DISPARITIES AND INEQUITIES RELATED TO COVID-19. THROUGHOUT EACH AREA, UCARE IMPLEMENTED INTERVENTIONS THAT MET THE NEEDS OF OUR CULTURALLY AND ETHNICALLY DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP THAT INCLUDED:- COVID-19 RESPONSE.- STRUCTURAL INTERVENTIONS INCLUDING ACCESSIBILITY AND AVAILABILITY OF PRIMARY CARE, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, AND SPECIALTY CARE PROVIDERS; VALUE-BASED CONTRACTING; AND MEDICAL RECORD STANDARDS AND ADVANCE DIRECTIVE AUDITS.- COMMUNITY RESOURCES INCLUDING MEMBER WELLNESS AND SAFETY INITIATIVES; COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, SOCIAL SERVICES REFERRALS. - TAILORED INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT NCQA, HEDIS, STAR RATINGS, QUALITY RATING SYSTEM, CAHPS, HOS, MEMBER EXPERIENCE, MEMBER SAFETY, FOCUSED STUDIES, DISEASE MANAGEMENT AND CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS. THE QUALITY MONITORING, PROGRAM INITIATIVES AND SERVICES DEMONSTRATED MANY SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN 2020 AND 2021 CAUSED SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS, BOTH TO HOW HEALTH PLANS CALCULATE ACCURATE HEDIS RATES AND ACCESS TO CARE FOR OUR MEMBERS. THE FOLLOWING PERCENTAGES OF MEASURE ELEMENTS WERE ABOVE THE NATIONAL 75TH PERCENTILE FOR EACH PRODUCT:- 72.5% OF ESSENTIACARE - 68.6% OF UCARE MEDICARE - 45.8% OF MNCARE - 64.2% OF CONNECT + MEDICARE - 54.2% OF M HEALTH FAIRVIEW NORTH MEMORIAL - 47.2% OF MSHO - 37.5% OF INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY PLANS - 51.4% OF CONNECT - 31% OF PMAP ALL MEDICARE PLANS THAT QUALIFIED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL STAR RATING THIS YEAR ACHIEVED AT LEAST 4.0 OUT OF 5.0 STARS, WHICH IS CONSIDERED ABOVE AVERAGE IN THIS PROGRAM. UCARE MEDICARE EARNED 5.0 OUT OF 5.0 STARS, WITH ONLY 16% OF PLANS ACHIEVING THIS EXCELLENT RATING FOR 2022. ADDITIONALLY, MSHO ACHIEVED A 4.5 STAR RATING AND CONNECT + MEDICARE ATTAINED 4.0 STARS. ESSENTIACARE RECEIVED ITS FIRST INDIVIDUAL STAR RATING THIS YEAR AT 4.0 OUT OF 5.0 STARS. UCARE'S INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY PLAN PRODUCTS ACHIEVED 4.0 OUT OF 5.0 STARS.IN ADDITION, UCARE MAINTAINED NCQA'S HEALTH PLAN ACCREDITATION FOR UCARE'S FULL LINE OF MEDICARE, PARTNER PRODUCTS, MEDICAID, AND MARKETPLACE PRODUCTS. OVERALL UCARE'S DATA SHOWED IMPROVEMENT IN SEVERAL KEY METRICS; HOWEVER, UCARE CONTINUOUSLY STRIVES TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF MEMBERS. UCARE IDENTIFIED KEY FOCUS AREAS THAT SUPPORT QUALITY MEASURE PERFORMANCE ACROSS ALL PRODUCTS WITH A CONTINUED FOCUS ON IMPROVING AT OR ABOVE THE NATIONAL 75TH PERCENTILE AND MAINTAINING OR ACHIEVING HIGH PERFORMANCE IN OUR STAR RATINGS PROGRAM FOR MEDICARE AND INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY PLANS.UCARE PROVIDED MANY HEALTH PROMOTION, DISEASE MANAGEMENT, CARE MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS. THESE EFFORTS NOT ONLY BENEFIT THE HEALTH OF ENROLLEES, BUT POSITIVELY AFFECT THEIR FAMILIES AND LARGER COMMUNITIES. EXAMPLES INCLUDE: DISEASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR ASTHMA, DIABETES, CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE, AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE; FALLS PREVENTION PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE SAFETY OF SENIORS; MANAGEMENT OF MATERNITY SERVICES (MOMS) PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE RESOURCES TO ENROLLEES AND PROVIDERS TO IMPROVE PREGNANCY AND POST-PARTUM HEALTH, CAR SEAT DISTRIBUTION, EDUCATION TO PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN; TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO HELP MEMBERS LIVE NICOTINE FREE, AND DISTRIBUTION OF FREE MATERIALS ON HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROPER USE OF URGENT AND EMERGENCY FACILITIES AT COMMUNITY FORUMS. IN ADDITION, UCARE SUPPORTS MEMBER HEALTH WITH ACCESS TO MANY DIFFERENT FITNESS OPTIONS AS WELL AS DISCOUNTS ON SERVICES THAT ARE HEALTH AND WELLNESS RELATED BUT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY THE MEMBER'S BASIC BENEFIT PLAN, INCLUDING HEALTHY FOOD DISCOUNTS, ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION CLASSES AND OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION ALLOWANCE. UCARE CONDUCTED A VARIETY OF HEALTH-RELATED EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS, TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR MEMBERS, PROVIDERS, AND THE PUBLIC. IN 2021, UCARE CONDUCTED 81 MEDICARE EDUCATION CLASSES WHICH WERE ATTENDED BY 340 INDIVIDUALS. 33 OF THESE CLASSES WERE IN-PERSON WITH 216 INDIVIDUAL ATTENDEES. 48 WERE WEBINARS, ATTENDED BY 124 INDIVIDUALS.UCARE PARTNERED WITH WELLSHARE INTERNATIONAL TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS AND WITH THE SOMALI COMMUNITY TO CONDUCT CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE HEALTH EDUCATION CLASSES FOR COMMUNITY FAMILIES, ELDERS AND IMAMS REGARDING PREVENTATIVE CARE AND CHRONIC CONDITION MANAGEMENT. UCARE ALSO PRODUCED NUMEROUS NEWSLETTER ARTICLES EDUCATING BOTH MEMBERS AND PROVIDERS ABOUT VARIOUS TOPICS, INCLUDING DENTAL BENEFITS, CHRONIC CONDITION MANAGEMENT, NEW PROVIDER SEARCH TOOL, MEDICARE COVERAGE UPDATES AND CAREGIVING SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES. IN A TYPICAL YEAR, UCARE PROVIDES HEALTH RELATED SCREENINGS AND SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AT NO OR LOW COST TO MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC. UCARE SUPPORTS PROVIDING FREE HEALTH RELATED SCREENINGS, FLU SHOTS, AND HEALTH EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC VIA THE UCARE HEALTHMOBILE (A 37-FOOT RV THAT ALONG WITH HEALTHFAIR 11 AND THE NURSES PROVIDES FREE BASIC HEALTH SCREENINGS INCLUDING BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS, GLUCOSE AND CHOLESTEROL READINGS AND BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) ASSESSMENTS) AT VARIOUS COMMUNITY EVENTS. DUE TO COVID, WE WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE SCREENINGS, BUT WE BEGAN TO ENCOURAGE AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COVID VACCINE. WE WORKED TO HELP TO SUPPLEMENT COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS TO EDUCATE AND ENCOURAGE VACCINATION. WE PROVIDED IN PERSON LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AT OVER 80 COVID VACCINE CLINICS IN 18 MINNESOTA COUNTIES. UCARE PROVIDED USE OF THE UCARE HEALTHMOBILE TO AN AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TO USE FOR OVER 3 MONTHS AT NO CHARGE TO ENCOURAGE THE BLACK COMMUNITY TO BE VACCINATED. THE HEALTHMOBILE WAS ALSO USED IN FALL OF 2021 TO PROVIDE OVER 1000 FLU SHOT VACCINES IN A DRIVE-UP MODEL. THIS ALLOWED DISABLED PERSONS, SENIORS, AND THOSE WITH ANXIETY A STRESS FREE AND SAFE WAY TO RECEIVE THE VACCINATION. UCARE'S MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC (MDC), OPERATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY, OFFERS QUALITY ORAL HEALTH CARE TO UCARE MEMBERS WITH DENTAL ACCESS ISSUES. IN 2020, THE MDC STAFF PERFORMED MORE THAN 1,200 PREVENTIVE AND RESTORATIVE PROCEDURES AT SITES ACROSS MINNESOTA. UCARE TARGETED AREAS OF THE STATE WITH LIMITED DENTAL ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS ON STATE PUBLIC PROGRAMS. UCARE HEALTH PLAN EMPLOYEES ALSO DEVOTED TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY RELATED COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT SUPPORT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE QUALITY AND RESEARCH INITIATIVES, ADVANCE PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE ACCESS, AND REDUCE HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES OR SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, INCLUDING PROJECTS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE CULTURAL COMPETENCE OF HEALTH CARE DELIVERY. EXAMPLES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND COLLABORATIONS WITH WHICH UCARE EMPLOYEES WORKED INCLUDE: MINNESOTA COMMUNITY MEASUREMENT, MN HOMELESS, AND PARENTS IN COMMUNITY ACTION HEAD START, HMONG AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP, MINNESOTA HEALTH LITERACY PARTNERSHIP, MINNESOTA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION, AND THE MULTILINGUAL HEALTH RESOURCE EXCHANGE.

IN ADDITION TO UCARE'S BUSINESS OF PROVIDING PUBLIC HEALTH CARE PROGRAM PLANS THAT SEEK TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES, UCARE'S COMMUNITY BENEFIT EFFORTS GO BEYOND OUR EVERYDAY COMMITMENT TO MEMBERS. THROUGH UCARE'S COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAM, WE REACH OUT TO THE LARGER COMMUNITY BY: - ADDRESSING SOCIAL RISK FACTORS THAT MAY UNDERMINE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. - STRENGTHENING THE PROVIDERS THAT SERVE POPULATIONS WITH CHALLENGES ACCESSING CARE. - ENCOURAGING THE WELLNESS OF FAMILIES AND SENIORS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. - SUPPORTING RESEARCH, PROGRAMS, AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT BENEFIT HEALTH CARE QUALITY AND DELIVERY.- SUPPORTING MEDICAL EDUCATION RELATED TO IMPROVING ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE.THROUGH UCARE'S COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAM, UCARE MAKES FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EXTENT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT. UCARE PROVIDED FUNDS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL SCHOOL, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE & COMMUNITY HEALTH (THE DEPARTMENT) WHICH SUPPORTED PURPOSES AND ACTIVITIES OF BOTH ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH MEETING THE PRIMARY CARE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS AND ADVANCING COMMUNITY MEDICAL EDUCATION. WITH THE SUPPORT OF UCARE FUNDING AND PATIENTS, THE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTERED TEN FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS OPERATED FOUR FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY CLINICS THAT TEACH RESIDENTS AND OTHER MEDICAL STUDENTS AND PROVIDE TEAM-BASED CARE IN URBAN AND RURAL UNDERSERVED AREAS OF MINNESOTA. THE FAMILY MEDICINE CLINICS ALSO EDUCATED MEDICAL RESIDENTS ON EVOLVING ALTERNATIVE CARE DELIVERY MODELS, INCLUDING TRANSITION CARE MANAGEMENT, COMPLEX CARE COLLABORATION, CHRONIC PAIN PROTOCOLS, HEALTH CARE HOME CERTIFICATION AND COORDINATION WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE WORKERS. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING CRITICAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT FAMILY MEDICINE EDUCATION, FACULTY PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTS INCLUDING AT THE PHILLIPS NEIGHBORHOOD CLINIC, MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL BASED CLINICS AND NORTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ACHIEVEMENT ZONE. MEDICAL CARE WAS GIVEN FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS INCLUDING AT THE BRIDGE FOR YOUTH AND AT EXODUS HOUSE. UCARE FUNDING WAS ALSO USED TO SUPPORT DEPARTMENT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON THE STUDY OF HEALTH DISPARITIES, HEALTH CARE DELIVERY AND POPULATION HEALTH.UCARE PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE UCARE FOUNDATION A COMMUNITY-DIRECTED INITIATIVE OF UCARE. GRANT-MAKING FROM THE FOUNDATION IS FOCUSED ON PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN THE TWIN CITIES AND THROUGHOUT GREATER MINNESOTA WITH INNOVATIVE SERVICES, EDUCATION, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND RESEARCH. IN 2021, GRANTS PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION USING FUNDS CONTRIBUTED BY UCARE INCLUDED A NUTRITION PROGRAM TO HELP IMPROVE THE LONG-TERM HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES; COMPANIONSHIP SERVICES AND TRANSPORTATION FOR AGING SENIORS; A PROGRAM TO STANDARDIZE EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO SUPPORT, STRENGTHEN AND IMPROVE THE WORKFORCE ACROSS THE CONTINUUM OF CARE AND FIGHTING HUNGER BY PROVIDING MEALS ACROSS MINNESOTA TO AREAS THAT NEED IT MOST.UCARE SUPPORTS A MOBILE GROCERY STORE THAT INCREASES ACCESS TO HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE FOOD IN UNDER-RESOURCED AREA AND PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE VARIOUS SUPPORTS TO AGING SENIORS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY AND EXPERIENCING SOCIAL ISOLATION. WE CONTINUED TO DISTRIBUTE THOUSANDS OF HEALTHY MEAL KITS AND SNACKS TO NURSES ON THE FRONT LINE, POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES. UCARE SUPPORTED 24 FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES ACROSS OUTSTATE MINNESOTA IN 2021 THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES. THE EVENTS INCLUDED MOBILE DRIVE THROUGH FOOD SHELVES AND PICK UP OPPORTUNITIES FOR FULL MEALS. WE SERVED 14 COUNTIES AND OVER 4000 PEOPLE. DURING 2021, UCARE ALSO HELPED MANY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDERS DELIVERING SERVICES, RESEARCH, AND PROGRAMS THAT REACH BEYOND UCARE'S MEMBERSHIP, INCLUDING EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET FOR AT-RISK FAMILIES AND SENIORS AND ADVANCE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ISSUES RELATED TO SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. UCARE PROVIDED SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING TO IMPROVE DENTAL ACCESS IN RURAL AREAS OF ROCHESTER AND DULUTH. GRANTS TO METRO AND RURAL COUNTIES HELPED TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF VARIOUS MODELS, INITIATIVES, AND PROGRAMS RELATED TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES. OTHER COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION EXAMPLES INCLUDE: THE COURAGE KENNY REHABILITATION INSTITUTE AS THEY MAXIMIZE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES BY DELIVERING COMPREHENSIVE, PERSON-CENTERED REHABILITATION; TWIN CITIES PRIDE WORKS TO ENSURE BASIC EQUAL RIGHTS TO LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND GAY PEOPLE; NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL, A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO BUILDING BETTER LIVES FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS; AND THE MINNESOTA ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS RESEARCH FORUM WHICH PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILY MEDICINE RESEARCHERS TO SHARE INNOVATIONS IN THEIR FIELD.FINALLY, UCARE ALSO ENCOURAGED EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES TO VOLUNTEER TIME AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY. UCARE PROVIDES ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICES TO EDUCATION, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS THAT BUILD CAPACITY IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF AT-RISK FAMILIES AND SENIORS. EXAMPLES OF EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR THE FOLLOWING: ADOPT-A-FAMILY GIFT DRIVE, FOOD DRIVE, SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE, MEALS ON WHEELS, FALL RAKE UP AND ANNUAL COMMUNITY GIVING CAMPAIGN.