New Optum Research Unit Eyes Accountable Care

The Optum unit of UnitedHealth Group has formed a research institute focusing on accountable care organizations and similar outcomes- and value-based coordinated care programs.

The Optum Institute for Sustainable Heatlh plans to utilize the company's data analytics tools and in-house expertise to create reports identifying problems that will arise with the advent of ACOs and similar programs.

Reports, surveys and other information will be available for free at http://institute.optum.com. Currently the Web site provides survey results on physician, hospital and consumer perceptions of accountable care.