Neonatal and NICU Support Programs for Employers
We help improve clinical outcomes for infants admitted to the NICU, and assist families in preparing for their new caregiver roles.
Reduce length of stay for newborns
Our Optum nurses help educate expectant mothers about available care options and the benefits of delivering at a level II or III neonatal intensive care facility. Our program has resulted in a 7% decrease in length of stay for participants and a 9% decrease in readmissions.1
Guide high-risk individuals to better care
Our NICU nurses and medical directors collaborate with hospital teams throughout the baby’s care journey. High-risk patients are referred to NICU providers located at our Centers of Excellence (COEs). Of participants, 99% felt they had a positive health care experience.2
Improve management of NICU cases
A designated team of specialized NICU nurses, NICU case managers, and medical directors support newborns and their families during and after discharge. Patients enrolled in the Optum program have a lower number of NICU days — 16.2 days compared to 17.6 days national average.3
Lower overall costs
Our specialized, experienced clinicians help ensure the right treatment at the right time for the right level of acuity to reduce health plan costs and provide newborns and their families with the best possible start to their lives. Our client partners are achieving significant savings, citing a 2–4:1 ROI.2
Awards and accreditations
Our approach is receiving recognition from trade associations, regulatory agencies and other governing bodies.
- Optum internal analytics, commercial book-of-business analysis. 2020.
- Optum HCE 2021 Value Study, available February 2023
- Optum analytics, health plan commercial book of business in comparison to national health plan commercial average, 2020.