Complex. Unclear. Overwhelming. This is how Americans describe today's health care system.

• A record high of 23% of Americans say the U.S. health care system is "in a state of crisis," with another 47% saying the system has "major problems," according to Gallup.
• Consumers want health care to be easier and more transparent, with upfront costs and convenient choices — the same way they shop online.

Built for better health: UnitedHealth Group is tackling this lack of transparency with technology that shows the cost of care and prescription drugs before you're in the doctor's office or at the pharmacy, making it easier to make decisions and navigate the health system.

Here's how UnitedHealth Group is simplifying health care:

1. Making it easy to compare the cost and quality of providers.

• An example: UnitedHealth Group's personalized app-based search tools let patients easily find care providers based on cost, quality of care or historical practice patterns, benefit coverage and proximity.

2. Clearly showing what the out-of-pocket costs will be before making an appointment.

• An example: UnitedHealth Group's consumer-friendly no deductible, no coinsurance plan lets members shop for health care with upfront costs, so they can compare providers and copays.
• The result: Both members and employers save money, as they have the tools and information to help them make care decisions that may cut unnecessary costs.
• Members paid 44% less out-of-pocket compared to traditional health plans, and they're more likely to get preventive screenings and less likely to visit the ER.

3. Connecting consumers with the lowest-cost drug.

• An example: Consumers can easily find the lowest-cost medication with price scanning tools and automatic alerts developed by UnitedHealth Group, which help check medication prices ahead of time, compare options and find lower-cost alternatives before filling a prescription.
• The result: UnitedHealth Group's integrated pharmacy tools saved consumers $1 billion in 2024.

4. Allowing patients to filter and search by condition to find the right provider, including specialists.

• The impact: This takes away the trial and error, connecting patients to the right provider or specialist avoiding delays and added costs that could prevent them from following through with appointments.
• Addressing this is crucial — a survey from The American Association of Nurse Practitioners found 40% of U.S. adults have experienced a "longer than reasonable" wait for health care appointments, leading half to give up getting care altogether.

The goal of these tools is to make health care as intuitive as choosing between two pairs of jeans — with the understanding that no choice fits everyone the same way.

The breakdown: By putting clear information up front, consumers can reach an informed decision. This shift helps make health care easier by giving people cost, benefit, quality or other information at their fingertips, giving them more control to proactively find and compare care and medications.

• Delivering this cost clarity means even more at a time where less than 20% of Americans say they're aware of the cost of their health care before receiving it, and 95% believe health care organizations need to make costs clear up front.

Looking ahead:

As health care begins to mimic the accessibility consumers find in other aspects of their daily lives, consistent care can become less daunting.

• These changes add up to one thing — real cost transparency. This makes it easier to compare providers and benefits without the guesswork. Whether a consumer is facing a major life event or just juggling everyday needs, having that clarity makes health care less stressful.

The takeaway: UnitedHealth Group is making health care easier by combining technology and transparency, creating a health care system that is simpler and more predictable, no matter what you're going through.

Find out more.

Insurance coverage provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services Inc.