Tri-State
Monthly Insider
News and announcements
from Optum Tri-State
The Monthly Insider spotlights the most important news for former CareMount Medical, ProHEALTH, and Riverside Medical Group teams.
This month's highlights include:
Message from the CEO: Fall into resilience and stay healthy
Conversation starters: Complete the employee survey and honoring the super heroes among us
Educating our patients: Staying healthy this season, mammograms matter and AEP is here
Building our culture: Celebrations, volunteer opportunities and much more
More to know: Important compliance reminders and clinical updates
Message from the CEO
Dear Tri-State Team,

As we near the end of the year, it's important to remain resilient, positive and healthy. One way to do this is by venturing out and enjoying what the season has to offer. Whether it is the tradition of apple/pumpkin picking, taking a hike on your favorite trail or enjoying a casual game of pickleball, take time to soak in some autumn vibes.

It is also flu season, so let's make sure we're all doing our part to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. Stay on top of your health game by getting vaccinated and following the necessary steps to keep everyone safe and healthy. Optum also has you covered with some great flu resources to help your patients stay healthy this season.

Finally, a reminder to please take a moment to complete your employee survey. Your feedback is essential in helping us create an even better and more enjoyable work experience. For example, our recent survey helped us understand that we have an important opportunity to address psychological safety across the tri-state region.
Kevin J. Conroy
CEO, Optum Tri-State
Conversation Starters
Employee survey – there is still time
As we continue to work together to enhance our culture and workplace, this is a gentle reminder to complete the employee survey! Look for an email that was sent to you from UHGSurveys@feedback.uhg.com on Oct. 11. The survey will be live until Oct. 31. Your feedback is vital to making this a great place to work, practice medicine and to receive care. The collected data will be made available to managers, senior leaders and safety culture champions for analysis and action planning.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is recognized each October to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. NDEAM 2023 theme is “Advancing Access and Equity.”
Did you know?
UHG was named one of the best places to work for disability inclusion in 2023 by the Disability Equality Index® (four consecutive years).

Disability Inclusion is one of several enterprise-supported employee resource groups (ERGs) available to help you build connections, develop your professional skills, collaborate, support colleagues and advance diversity, equity and inclusion across the company.
Other ERGs include: Unidos; Asians United; Black Experience; Military, Veterans & Spouses; Native Voices; PRIDE at UHG; and Women LEAD (Learn, Engage, Advance, Develop).

To get started, view the login guides and join at dei.uhg.com. To learn more, view the ERG Fireside Chats, FAQs and overview slides.
Honoring our Super Heroes: nominations now closed
Optum senior leaders will select Super Heroes from the nominations submitted, and honorees will be announced in February 2024. Thank you in advance for taking the time to nominate the Super Heroes among us; there's no shortage of heroic individuals in the tri-state region!
Educating our patients
Stay healthy this flu season
With COVID-19, RSV and flu viruses spreading, it’s important to encourage your patients to get vaccinated. Getting the FDA-approved flu shot can protect against serious illnesses. Learn more about available vaccines for your patients in your region.

Check out Optum flu resources, including flyers for the general public and older adults, as well as flu shot myths vs. facts.
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) began October 15 and will end December 7
This month, you can expect to see AEP marketing materials in our offices.

AEP can be a confusing time for many of our patients. At Optum, we have an opportunity to help them navigate through this complex process by connecting them to trusted resources. It is important that our patients compare their Medicare plan options every year. We partner with licensed insurance agents who can educate our patients on all their plan choices and ultimately help them choose the right plan to fit their needs. We are excited to kick-off AEP and appreciate all the help our staff can give during this time.

Watch a new video that serves as a reminder of how our doctors help patients, including those with Medicare Advantage plans, stay healthier and reduce their total health care costs. Patients can get more information from Medicare by visiting our website: optum.com/tri/medicare
Breast health awareness – mammograms matter
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s a great time to remind your patients about the importance of mammograms. Mammograms are the most effective way to detect breast cancer in the early stages, and early detection is key to successful treatment. Our radiology centers offer mammograms that can be scheduled conveniently and quickly. Download or order this breast cancer screening flyer to help educate your patients about the significance of mammograms and encourage them to schedule an appointment today. Together we can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.
 
Read our Better Health blog to learn why it is important to be aware of breast health all year round.
Building our culture
Recognize a team member
We invite you to show how grateful you are to each other. Give someone a pat on the back by recognizing them on Bravo! 
Honors and awards
Tri-State Top Docs
We are delighted to announce that Castle Connolly has selected 309 physicians from the tri-state area as Top Doctors for 2023, as nominated by their peers. To view the entire list, please visit: https://east.optum.com/patient-resources/awards-and-accreditations/top-doctors-awards/

Our provider team is growing
Our nationally recognized team of care providers is expanding daily to provide a wide-range of primary and specialty care services. Receive the quality care you need.
Media spotlights
TODAY Show ‒ First aid 101: Emergency items you should have at home
Last month, Dr. Kavita Aggarwal of Optum Tri-State (legacy CareMount Medical) was a guest medical contributor on the TODAY Show, sharing first aid tips during back-to-school season.
Celebrations
Recognizing Our Medical Assistant (MAs), Physician Assistants (PAs) and Pharmacists
This month, we’re throwing a triple celebration in honor of Physician Assistant Week (Oct. 6–12), Pharmacist Week (Oct. 15-21) and Medical Assistants Week (Oct. 16–22). We’re sending a huge shout-out to these amazing healthcare professionals for their tireless work in delivering high-quality, compassionate care. Thanks for all the compassion, dedication and commitment you show our patients – your hard work makes a huge difference in their lives every day!

Check out this tribute video from Optum featuring our very own Alicia Beardsley, PA-C and Melissa Tiedemann, PA-C 2023 Physician Assistant Week - Optum Health - Optum Enterprise Video On Demand (uhc.com)
Volunteering and charity
Join our next medical mission to the Dominican Republic
Optum Tri-state and One World Surgery (OWS) are seeking clinical and general volunteers to serve on the upcoming medical mission to provide health care to underserved communities and to children at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos in the Dominican Republic from February 17-24, 2024.

Be a part of this life-changing mission.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Bigos ebigos@prohealthcare.com or Doreen Russo drusso@prohealthcare.com
ICYMI: The O Show
Hear how the passion of helping others extends beyond the daily workspace and shapes these personal stories.
More to know
Compliance corner
Minimum necessary and appropriate use reminders
Minimum Necessary requires employees to define and limit the PHI being used or disclosed to only the minimum necessary amount needed to perform the task at hand.
  • Being an Optum or Optum Medical Care employee does not entitle you to access all patient records; you are only permitted to access PHI to the extent necessary to perform your job.
Appropriate Use requires that employees only access or use PHI as is necessary to perform job duties.
  • Workforce members may only access patient PHI required for a legitimate business purpose or recognized professional medical need.
  • Workforce members may not access information about spouses, minor or adult children, other family members, friends, neighbors or colleagues without a legitimate business purpose.
Failure to observe Minimum Necessary and Appropriate Use concepts could result in disciplinary action, including disciplinary action up to, and including termination.
Share your photos with us
As our ongoing, multi-year brand transition journey continues, we would love to see photos of new Optum signage from offices across the tri-state region. Please send pictures of your new interior and exterior Optum signage to tristatecontent@caremount.com.

We look forward to seeing your new Optum-branded offices!
Note: If you do not wish to have your picture published, please excuse yourself from group shots. Please also ensure patients are not included in any submitted photos.
Tri-State Monthly Insider
Catch up on previous editions of the Insider
Share your stories
We want to hear your cultural and professional experiences, including adversities you may have faced and how they led you to health care. Your stories will inspire others and help us to create better outcomes for our patients. We may feature you in a future newsletter or awareness communication.