Instead, this is what Simon should FIRST propose because it is what the people (the patients) want: Simon needs to demand that all of the board members, executives, and other do-nothings have their pay cut to a maximum of $250,000/year because that is more than generous enough for any of them. Who do they think they are? Cardiac surgeons?!?! Then, their benefits packages and other wrongly expensive perks also be cut. The annual savings would be ENORMOUS and there is zero downside. I respect my doctors and I do what they tell me to do because they are well-educated, smart, and can repair me. Simons are just average people who got lucky. I wonder what the Simons of the insurance world really do all day...

Radiology and anesthesiology would be good rocks for United Health to look under.

Moving away from "fee for service" sounds great, but "pay-for-performance"? As measured by the benevolent folks at United Health? I don't like the sound of that...it would seem to encourage even less time with patients. Just see how they compensate the doctors in the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Italy (all places with much lower health care costs) and go with that.

Doctors would be OK getting paid for their outcomes if patients would follow their instructions...such as" you need to lose 150 lbs and quit eating fast food and monster"

UHG... I'm SURE they have the patients' best interests in mind. Well, you're all learning more and more about the 2,700 page Obamacare bill that no one read. Lots of little parts in there that are "TBD" by panels and boards. And who do you think will be serving those panels? And with all that money they save (STEAL from doctors), how much will go into UHG's coffers? Why stop there? Just say physicians will make an annual salary of $125K. Then see how many people become doctors. But hey... the savings!!!!

I think UHC ought to look a CEO and other Upper Mgmt. pay as substantial savings to healthcare. Also, any system that pays for quality vs. quantity especially healthcare, is what we should strive for.

Good luck with that plan United Health! There is a projected shortage of MD's. If 'pay for performance' is implemented, physicians will be selective about their patients; declining to care for those adults who have spent years of behaviors that contribute to serious heart, lung, and other chronic diseases. It is difficult to make major life changes in diet, exercise, smoking. Physicians can preach and teach healthy life style behaviors, but how do you enforce that healthy life styles are adopted and maintained by the adults that at are high risk for health issues? Physicians will accept patients that are likely to reach outcomes. If there is a shortage of MD's now - who is going to care for adults with multiple diseases,who have little incentive to adhere to prescribed treatment plans to reach 'outcomes'?

This organization is so flawed that any opinions or studies it produces have zero validity. The money paid out to leadership is disgusting! Doctors are relatively smart. People who are thinking of becoming doctors are also relatively intelligent. They have options: the options are to do something else. Go into research, become a boutique physician, go into dentistry, become a veterinarian, or get a doctorate in something and teach at a university. All these options and more pay well with a lot more free time and less stress. Reformers had better consider the unintended consequences of their actions. This country needs thousands more physicians and other providers. It will not happen if the insurance companies and gov't don't work with physicians.

I'd urge United Health to look a little closer to home for cost savings: the bloated salaries of the executive suite.

If you want to cut healthcare costs start with the outrageous salary's the health insurance exec's, managers, staff and consultants get paid.