About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is one of the United States' significant providers of various healthcare plans and benefits. It focuses on affordable coverage, simplifying the healthcare experience, and ensuring access to high-quality care. The company operates through four main divisions: Employer & Individual, Medicare & Retirement, Community & State, and Global.
UnitedHealthcare offers health benefit plans catering to people of all ages, lifestyles, and financial situations. The company works with over 1.3 million physicians, healthcare professionals, and over 6,700 hospitals and care facilities nationwide. Their collective goal is to increase access to quality care and ensure that individuals receive necessary healthcare services promptly and conveniently.
Awards and recognitions earned by UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare, a division of UnitedHealth Group, has bagged multiple awards and recognitions. These include:
Employer of choice
- Fortune: The company acquired the 32nd spot on America's Most Innovative Companies list and ranked 8th among Global 500 Corporations in 2024. It was also named among the World's Most Admired Companies in the Health Care (Insurance and Managed Care) sector for the 14th consecutive year in 2023 and placed 5th on the Fortune 500 US Corporations list the same year. ​
- Forbes: UnitedHealth Group was featured in America's Best Large Employers list for 2024 and 2025. It was also recognized among the World's Best Employers in 2024.
- LinkedIn: The organization achieved the 6th position on LinkedIn's Top Companies List in 2024, improving from 14th in 2022. ​
- Newsweek: The company was honored as one of America's Most Admired Workplaces in 2025 and featured in America's Greatest Workplaces in 2024. ​
- Business Group on Health: In 2024, UnitedHealth Group was recognized for Excellence in Health & Well-Being.
- FlexJobs: The company ranked 26th among the Top 100 Companies for Hybrid Jobs in 2024.
Inclusive workplace champion
- Human Rights Campaign Foundation: In the 2023 Corporate Equality Index, the company earned a 100 percent score.
- Disability Equality Index: The company was recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion in 2023. ​
- Military Friendly: UnitedHealth Group was designated a Military-Friendly Employer in 2024 and ranked among the Top Ten Military Spouse-Friendly Employers in both 2023 and 2024.
- Newsweek: In 2024, the organization was listed among America's Greatest Workplaces for LGBTQ+ and America's Greatest Workplaces for Parents and Families. ​
- Forbes: Recognized among the Best Employers for Diversity in 2024. ​
Leader in early careers
- Handshake: In 2023 and 2024, UnitedHealth Group received the Early Talent Award as a Top Employer for Gen Z Careers. ​
- RippleMatch: The organization earned the Campus Forward Award for its Enterprise Early Career Program in 2023 and 2024. ​
- Forbes: It was featured among the Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. ​
Specific accolades
- Dow Jones: The company was included in the Sustainability World and North America Indices since 1999 and membership in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. ​
- Healthy People 2030: The United Health Foundation was honored as a Healthy People 2030 Champion. ​
- Points of Light: It was recognized in the Civic 50 since 2012.
What are the plans offered by UnitedHealthcare?
UnitedHealthcare offers a variety of insurance plans catering to diverse needs. These include individual and family plans, which provide comprehensive coverage with choices for different levels of premiums and deductibles. They also offer Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans, designed for seniors and those eligible for Medicare.
For businesses, UnitedHealthcare offers employer-sponsored plans customized to meet the needs of employees working in all sizes of companies. Additionally, they offer Medicaid plans for eligible low-income individuals and families. UnitedHealthcare also provides short-term health insurance plans for temporary coverage. Its offerings also include dental and vision plans to enhance overall health benefits. Their range of plans aims to deliver flexible and affordable healthcare solutions to meet the varied requirements of their members. You can find providers specializing in almost all specialties, including a primary care doctor, dermatologist, psychiatrist, or a UnitedHealthcare orthopedic surgeon near you.
Who is an orthopedic surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon is a medical expert who attends to musculoskeletal injuries and diseases affecting the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves.
Orthopedic surgeons address a broad spectrum of conditions, including arthritis, cerebral palsy, clubfoot, congenital disorders, degenerative diseases, infections, musculoskeletal trauma, scoliosis, sports injuries, and tumors. Their services encompass:
- Diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders
- Treating musculoskeletal disorders, which may involve surgery or the use of orthopedic devices like frames or braces
- Performing surgical procedures such as joint replacements, reconstructions, arthroscopies, fracture repair, soft tissue repair, and osteotomies (bone deformity correction surgery)
- Rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries by prescribing exercises and recommending physiotherapy
What type of medical training do orthopedic surgeons undergo?
Orthopedic surgeons receive extensive medical training spanning up to 14 years. It includes four years of undergraduate studies and four years in medical school, where they pursue either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree. Osteopathic doctors emphasize a holistic approach to healthcare, considering the mind, body, and spirit.
Following medical school, orthopedic surgeons undertake a five-year residency program focused on orthopedic training, which provides hands-on experience in clinical settings. Those seeking further specialization may opt for a one—or two-year fellowship.
After training, orthopedic surgeons can attain board certification by passing exams administered by certifying bodies such as the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Additionally, they engage in continuous medical education to stay updated with advancements in their field.
What to expect from the orthopedic surgeon?
During your initial appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, the doctor will analyze your health history and symptoms. To make the most of it, you must carry all the relevant medical records or previous test results for reference.
To assess your condition, the surgeon will conduct various tests, including X-rays or MRIs, based on your symptoms. However, this is not always necessary. Sometimes, an orthopedic surgeon may diagnose your condition solely based on your medical history and symptoms without requiring additional tests.
Following the diagnosis, you'll discuss treatment options with your doctor to determine the best action. Treatment may involve surgery, casts or taping systems, or prescribed physical therapy exercises tailored to your needs.
What is the difference between a rheumatologist and an orthopedic surgeon?
Rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons commonly focus on treating musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and osteoporosis. However, their approaches and specialties differ.
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in surgical interventions, addressing issues stemming from injury, congenital disabilities, and degenerative diseases caused by wear and tear. In contrast, rheumatologists do not perform surgeries. They concentrate on systemic diseases affecting the entire body, such as lupus, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain rare inherited disorders.
Collaborations between rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons are common, especially in cases like rheumatoid arthritis, where both specialties contribute to comprehensive care. This interdisciplinary approach ensures patients receive holistic treatment tailored to their specific conditions.
How do you find a UnitedHealthcare orthopedic surgeon near you in the US?
With Zocdoc, finding top orthopedic surgeons near your home or workplace is effortless. Visit the Zocdoc website and provide details like your current address, zip code, symptoms or condition you're seeking treatment for, preferred appointment date and time, and medical insurance information. After clicking 'search,' you'll receive a curated list of nearby doctors.
Zocdoc offers free access to its extensive database of doctors, each with a detailed profile showcasing their educational background, years of experience, certifications, affiliations, languages spoken, patient demographics they specialize in, and expertise in managing various conditions. You can also check if your chosen orthopedic surgeon accepts your insurance plan.
Selecting your insurance from the drop-down menu lets you see if the doctor is in-network.
Although adding your insurance to your Zocdoc account streamlines the process, remember to bring your insurance card to your appointment, as some offices may still require it. For further assistance, you can visit the Zocdoc’s patient help center page. Book your appointment hassle-free and securely with Zocdoc and find a trusted UnitedHealthcare orthopedic surgeon near you.
Statistics on orthopedic surgery in the US
Approximately 25,500 surgeons practice in the United States. Private practice dominates the orthopedic landscape, constituting about 73.5 percent of all orthopedic practices. Group practices focused solely on orthopedics are prevalent within private practices, accounting for close to 44.3 percent of practices. Orthopedic surgeons perform an average of 32 monthly procedures, with arthroscopy of the knee being the most frequently performed procedure.
Sources
UnitedHealthcare[1]
UnitedHealthcare[2]
Better Health Channel
Healthline
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD
Becker's Healthcare
UnitedHealth Group
