UnitedHealth Group & Microsoft Collaborate to Launch ProtectWell™ Protocol & App to Support Return-to-Workplace Planning & ...
May 15 2020 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
- ProtectWell™ provides employers a return-to-workplace framework
backed by CDC guidelines and the latest clinical science
- Protocol is supported by the ProtectWell™ smartphone app that
screens for COVID-19 symptoms and clears employees for daily
work
- Solution powered by Microsoft technologies to enable
scalability, security, privacy and compliance
- ProtectWell™ will be offered free of charge to employers in the
United States
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:
MSFT) have joined forces to launch ProtectWell™, an innovative
return-to-workplace protocol that enables employers to bring
employees back to work in a safer environment. ProtectWell™ helps
employees determine they are safe to go to work, co-workers know
their colleagues have been screened, and employers feel confident
that their workplace is ready to do business. ProtectWell™
incorporates Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
guidelines and the latest clinical research to limit the spread of
COVID-19 by screening employees for symptoms and establishing
guidelines to support the health and safety of the workforce and
workplace.
ProtectWell™ combines UnitedHealth Group’s clinical and data
analytics capabilities with Microsoft’s technology leadership to
help in the next phases of COVID-19 recovery efforts. The
ProtectWell™ app is powered by Microsoft Azure, AI and analytics
solutions, and also takes advantage of the Microsoft Healthcare Bot
service, which is being used around the world for AI-assisted
COVID-19 symptom triaging.
The ProtectWell™ protocol is supported by a smartphone app that
allows employers to offer workers a simple screening tool designed
for everyday use. The ProtectWell™ app includes an AI-powered
health care bot that asks users a series of questions to screen for
COVID-19 symptoms or exposure. If risk of infection is indicated,
employers can direct their employees to a streamlined COVID-19
testing process that enables closed-loop ordering and reporting of
test results directly back to employers. Health care information is
managed by UnitedHealth Group and employers in accordance with
occupational health laws.
In addition, ProtectWell™ includes guidelines and resources to
support a safe work environment, including physical distancing,
personal hygiene, sanitation and more. Employers can also choose
additional custom content specific to their workforce for a
personalized experience.
“As we plan for a safe and careful return to the workplace,
employers need clear guidelines to ensure a safe environment and a
robust process for employees to screen themselves for COVID-19
symptoms,” said Ken Ehlert, chief scientific officer, UnitedHealth
Group. “We are pleased to collaborate with Microsoft to launch
ProtectWell™, a simple and effective tool to ensure employers and
employees have the information and resources they need to keep
themselves, their colleagues and the public safe and healthy.”
Microsoft Executive Vice President, Worldwide Commercial
Business, Judson Althoff said: “As businesses begin to reopen,
employers will need to monitor and manage their workforce for
COVID-19 symptoms to help ensure those at risk of spreading the
virus stay home until cleared by medical providers. Microsoft is
pleased to join with UnitedHealth Group to launch ProtectWell™,
which helps organizations manage the complexity of this
undertaking.”
UnitedHealth Group has implemented ProtectWell™ with its own
frontline health care workers, is in process of implementing the
tool across its business to enable safe return of team members to
the workplace, and is making the platform available to all
employers in the United States at no charge. Microsoft intends to
deploy ProtectWell™ for its U.S.-based employees.
The ProtectWell™ smartphone app is powered by Microsoft Azure,
together with its industry-leading security and compliance
offerings, and allows employers to better plan, manage resources,
care for their employees, and reallocate resources to help
safeguard their workforce, workplace and business continuity.
UnitedHealth Group will maintain control over protected health care
data and will manage opt-in and consent requirements needed from
app users. Microsoft will not have access to identifiable
information shared via the ProtectWell™ app. De-identified
workforce health trends and analytics information will help
employers and policymakers make informed occupational and public
health decisions.
ProtectWell™ is the latest of many initiatives announced by
UnitedHealth Group to combat COVID-19. Other initiatives to date
include:
- Providing $1.5 billion in direct customer and consumer support
through premium credits, cost-sharing waivers and other
efforts.
- Accelerating payments to providers throughout the crisis, with
an initial tranche of nearly $2 billion.
- Waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and treatment for
U.S. members of UnitedHealthcare plans and simplifying access to
care by reducing prior-authorization requirements.
- Pioneering self-administered swab procedures to expand COVID-19
testing, reduce needed personal protective equipment and protect
health care workers from unnecessary exposure to COVID-19.
- Supporting the Mayo Clinic’s groundbreaking research into the
therapeutic potential of using plasma from COVID-19 survivors.
- Deploying 3,000 “light ventilators” to address critical
shortages in the nation’s supply of ventilators.
- Significantly expanding access to telehealth and virtual visits
and redeploying 10,000 Optum clinicians to expand telehealth
capabilities.
- Providing a special enrollment period for fully insured
customers to allow employees who did not opt in for coverage during
the regular enrollment period to secure coverage.
- Conducting proactive personal outreach to support seniors and
the most vulnerable populations among our members.
- Launching a free nationwide emotional support line to manage
the stress and anxiety caused by COVID-19.
- Investing nearly $75 million to help at-risk populations,
support communities and protect the health care workforce.
- Converting company cafeterias to provide more than 75,000 meals
a week for people in need and keep our cafe team at work.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health care
company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and
helping to make the health system work better for everyone.
UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services
through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides
health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which
provides information and technology-enabled health services. For
more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at
www.unitedhealthgroup.com or follow @UnitedHealthGrp on
Twitter.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital
transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an
intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every
organization on the planet to achieve more.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200515005077/en/
For more information, press only:
UnitedHealth Group Contact: Eric Hausman, 952-936-3963,
Eric.Hausman@uhg.com
Microsoft Contact: Microsoft Media Relations, WE
Communications for Microsoft, (425) 638-7777,
rrt@we-worldwide.com
UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024