Competition turns to United Healthcare for technology edge. Interview by Carolyn Dunbar and Michael L. Laughlin.
Joel Ackerman serves as director of advanced technologies for Minneapolis-based ProviderLink, an electronic claims software subsidiary of United Healthcare Corporation. United Healthcare is a managed-care company that owns and operates 19 fee-for-service and capitated health maintenance organizations in 15 states serving almost two million members. In addition, United Healthcare has subsidiary operations selling services to more than 80 other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and indemnity and HMOs--including its competitors. These services include managing departments such as pharmacy, providing specialized contract clinics like mental health or chemical dependency, performing utilization-review services, and providing computer outsourcing such as enrollment and electronic claims processing. Ackerman has been involved in both American National Standards Institute (ANSI) efforts and the Health and Human Service's Workgroup on Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI).
Ackerman
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ProviderLink, Minneapolis.
D000288:Administrative Personnel; D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D007221:Industry / Q000458:organization & administration; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011357:Product Line Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D012985:Software Design