UnitedHealth UK, supplier of ScriptSwitch software, is rebranding as Optum.
HSJ reports that the company’s UK chief executive Katherine Ward will become senior vice president, business development for Optum outside the United States and the firm will recruit a “country manager” for the UK.
UnitedHealth UK has recorded losses for all 11 years that is has been operating in the UK, the most recent being a £8.2m loss and a 27 per cent fall in turnover in 2012. The company is the UK arm of giant US parent firm UnitedHealth.
The UK company bought ScriptSwitch, provider of drug comparison software used by the majority of clinical commissioning groups in England, for £50m in 2009.
Ward said the new name will bring together the two companies under one banner, along with occupational health firm PPC.
The healthcare giant pulled out of providing primary care services in the UK in 2011, in order to focus on providing GP commissioning support.
It provides a range of commissioning support services including contracting support, budget monitoring and risk stratification.
UK staff will reportedly be transferred to the new company in coming weeks.