Health department to participate in UnitedHealthcare incentive programs; board approves decision papers

The Northampton County Health Department will participate in two UnitedHealthcare Care Community Plan incentive programs after the Board of Commissioners approved decision papers authorizing enrollment.

Kelly Tate, director of nursing at the Northampton County Health Department, presented two decision papers on behalf of Health Director Megan Vick, who was on vacation. Tate said the two agreements are identical except for the performance measures tied to each contract: one focuses on primary care measures and the other focuses on health equity measures.

Tate said participation would carry no cost to the health department and could generate additional revenue if the department meets specified performance targets. "This is an incentive if we meet in these, 2 areas that gives us additional money to meet these incentives," Tate said. She explained the programs use HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) measures — including cervical cancer screening, chlamydia screening, glycemic control for diabetes, immunizations, well-child visits, and prenatal and postpartum care — to determine incentive payments.

Tate said the agreements were approved by the Northampton County Board of Health on July 8, 2025, and reviewed by the county attorney on July 11, 2025. The incentive payments are estimated and paid quarterly with a reconciliation payment in the third quarter of 2026.

A motion to approve the decision papers was made and seconded; the board voted unanimously in favor. The transcript records commissioners voting "aye" and the chair announcing the motion carried.

The health department will continue to meet the contracted HEDIS measures for UnitedHealthcare community plan Medicaid members and report performance per the agreement terms; estimated payment schedules and targets were included in the decision papers provided to commissioners.