In Western North Carolina, many children now associate rain and power outages with fear, and local counselors report an uptick in anxiety — signs of lingering trauma from Tropical Storm Helene. Research shows that about 10% of young people exposed to disasters may suffer from chronic distress lasting a year or longer.
Behind every sobering statistic are real stories: students carrying invisible grief through the school day, parents searching for help and finding waitlists, neighbors showing up with open hearts but limited tools.
Youth mental health needs are rising sharply. The impact of the storm — and the long road to recovery — have left deep emotional wounds, especially for children and teens. In many places across WNC, access to care is scarce or nonexistent. This is an emergency we must face head-on. Because what kind of future can we build if our young people feel hopeless today?
The answer starts with solutions designed by — and for — youths. That is the promise of CARE4Youth, a new collaboration between Carolina Across 100, UNC’s Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Over the next three years, CARE4Youth will support 10 cross-sector community teams across 18 counties — including four cohorts here in WNC covering Henderson, Transylvania, Alleghany, Ashe and Burke counties — as they work to strengthen the systems that surround young people. Each team brings together schools, health departments, youth-serving nonprofits, community colleges, churches, hospitals and — most importantly — young people themselves.
We know the challenges our youths face are complex, shaped not only from past trauma of events like Helene, but also feelings of disconnection and growing social pressures. But efforts like these — where we empower young people to lead and shape the solutions that impact their lives — can shift the trajectory for an entire generation.
We’ve seen what’s possible when people come together with purpose. In Asheville, a volunteer pharmacist made sure residents had access to mental health medications at Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry’s free clinic when pharmacies were down after Helene. Across the region, more than 200 providers organized online to offer free or low-cost counseling to those impacted by the storm. And in May, in Boone, members from our organizations gathered at the UNC System Behavioral Health Convening, where mental health leaders, educators, and counselors from all 16 UNC campuses, our state’s 58 community colleges, and independent colleges and universities came together to discuss youth mental well-being in the region and beyond.
These moments all point to one truth: There is a collective, statewide resolve that no town, school, family, and especially no young person, should face mental health challenges alone. That shared determination is exactly what CARE4Youth seeks to strengthen. It isn’t a pilot or a quick in-and-out. It’s a long-term commitment to collaboration, built on the knowledge that each community understands its own needs best.
This work is personal. As people who work closely with communities across the state supporting young adults navigating their futures with courage and uncertainty, both of us have heard stories that are hard to forget.
To the people and youths of WNC: Your strength and grace are unmatched, rooted in generations of perseverance. In the wake of Helene, we were proud to support local recovery efforts — from delivering over 173,000 critically needed supplies and keeping urgent care clinics like FastMed open, to working side-by-side with local leaders in WNC to understand recovery needs and build more resilient systems.
We remain just as committed today, as the emotional recovery continues. As partners in this work, we’re proud to stand beside you. We’ll keep building, together, so young people in WNC and across the state feel connected and hopeful. They deserve nothing less.
Cheryl Parquet is Associate Vice President of Community Engagement at Blue Cross and Blue Shieldof North Carolina
Abigail Holdsclaw serves as Lead Community-Based researcher for the ncIMPACT initiative at theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.

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UnitedHealth tops profit forecasts but medical costs linger for health care giant  AP News
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Join Us on Capitol Hill — July 14
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Process changes, such as more real-time information and a shortened form for fewer visits, are meant to allow PTs to treat patients quicker.
In another update to a process that began last summer, UnitedHealthcare has implemented changes to its prior authorization requirements in certain Medicare Advantage plans for PT treatment visits following an initial evaluation when services are provided in office and outpatient hospital settings. As a result of continued APTA advocacy and communication with UHC, the insurer contacted APTA staff in March with the stated changes, indicating they are made to help ensure timely provision of services to patients.  
The latest revisions include:
In its communications with APTA, UHC said there would not be a published statement or messaging to providers with this new information. Providers are directed to this FAQ for more information: Changes to prior authorization requirement for Medicare Advantage outpatient therapy services – UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.
As APTA has reported earlier, the association’s advocacy brought other changes to UnitedHealthcare policies that will somewhat ease certain prior authorization requirements. These changes are outlined below.
As of Jan. 13, UHC allows up to six follow-up visits after an initial evaluation without requiring a clinical review. Previously, a clinical review was required before any follow-up visits could occur, which APTA strongly argued would delay needed services and hinder effective care. In announcing the change, UHC said that “based on feedback from providers, UnitedHealthcare has updated the prior authorization requirement for physical, speech, and occupational therapy and chiropractic services that became effective Sept. 1, 2024, for UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage individual and group retiree members.”
Coverage for the six visits applies under any one of the following circumstances:
Providers must continue to submit a prior authorization request for the entire plan of care, including the full duration and number of visits requested. In addition, the six visits must occur within eight weeks of the initial evaluation. Only care plans requesting more than six visits or care plans exceeding eight weeks will be assessed for medical necessity. The initial consultation/evaluation still does not require prior authorization.
Additionally, UHC provided the following information:
Providers are instructed to continue to follow the submission process via the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal, and UHC directs those with questions to read the Skilled Nursing Facility, Rehabilitation, and Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Medical Policy or visit its Prior Authorization and Notification webpage; or to call 800-873-4575. The company also has posted an overview of the policy changes that includes an extensive Q&A.
Providers contracted by OptumCare and WellMed should refer to the number on the member ID card for prior authorization instructions.
In addition, UHC released these two notices announcing the changes:
Medicare Advantage: Updates to prior authorization requirement for outpatient therapy and chiropractic services | UHCprovider.com
Changes to prior authorization requirement for Medicare Advantage outpatient therapy services, updated Jan. 8, 2025 | UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans
Date: March 21, 2025
Contact:  news@apta.org
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Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing said he ‘had it coming,’ according to prosecutors  The Seattle Times
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Increasingly, payers and employers are leveraging the latest trends in data analytics and cutting-edge technologies to help better address challenges in health care. In fact, 67% of employers said they already have a strategy in place to collect, store and analyze data that can lead to meaningful improvements in employee health and well-being.
In the past, an imperfect and often complicated health care system, along with rising costs, impacted consumers’ ability to easily access care. Nearly 11% of U.S. adults avoided health care due to costs in the previous year, in fact, according to a new report from America’s Health Rankings.
The use of data and analytics in health benefits has expanded in recent years from helping provide actionable insights to powering the development of innovative products and capabilities that create simpler, more personalized health care experiences.
“We made over 400 enhancements to our digital experience last year and plan to deliver a similar number through 2025,” said Amy Jordan, vice president of product with UnitedHealthcare’s commercial business. “UnitedHealthcare’s newest innovation, our Smart Choice provider search capability, empowers members to more easily find and connect with quality network providers from the palm of their hand.”
Available to eligible UnitedHealthcare commercial members in the member app and website, Smart Choice provides results that meet member preferences and maximize member benefits, which may result in easier access and lower costs.
When members use the UnitedHealthcare app or myuhc.com to search for providers, they will see Smart Choice results based on multiple factors, including a member’s personal preferences and health plan benefits as well as nationally recognized standards* for safe and effective quality care, according to Jordan.
“This is just one way we are putting data and innovation to work as part of a broader goal aimed at reducing heath care expenditures, improving outcomes and creating better member experiences,” Jordan said.
In recent years, the ability to access, analyze and use data to shape the future of health care innovations and insights has changed significantly.
“My first couple weeks on the job, I was literally taking printed PDF reports and typing numbers into Excel files to bring the story of data to life. That was two decades ago,” says Craig Kurtzweil, chief data and analytics officer for UnitedHealthcare’s commercial business. “Back then, it was a challenge to even access the data, let alone to translate it and visualize it in a way that an employer could understand.”
Data is now foundational to the health care industry and a cornerstone of its innovation:
“In the past, you had data, but it could take months to get your hands on it.” Kurtzweil says. “Now there is a flood of data — insightful and valuable data — but it’s become increasingly apparent that responsible AI and ML strategies can help translate that ocean of data into actionable insights.”
When Kurtzweil and his team meet with employer groups about their health plan performance today, the conversation goes well beyond volume-based discussions and top-line results.
Kurtzweil and team once informed a particular employer with an over 77,000-member population that 42% of their employees had complex conditions, including cancer. As a result of this analysis, the employer deployed a cancer-specific care management team to better support those members, resulting in over $267,000 in savings to those employees by closing 105 gaps in care. [1].
“We can now collect that data, integrate that data and apply those responsible and fair algorithms and machine learning to it in order to uncover trends within employer populations and gain actionable insights for them,” Kurtzweil says.
As more data is captured via overall engagement with the health system, artificial intelligence and machine learning can help sort that data.
In fact, the global health care AI market is predicted to reach $614 billion by 2034, up from $27 billion in 2024, and 92% of surveyed employers said they believe that artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise in health care.
These technologies assist in innovation at UnitedHealth Group — within Optum and UnitedHealthcare — helping make sense of 2 trillion health transactions annually. [2]
While safety, privacy, transparency and responsible use are at the forefront of using AI and ML, timeliness, simplicity and efficiency are also key drivers. Yet no matter how fast or efficient the data is captured, reliable human analysis remains critical and necessary.
“While AI and ML may be important tools in health care as we move forward, developing and implementing it responsibly — and ensuring that the privacy and security of member health data is protected — is essential,” Kurtzweil said.
Learn more about how UnitedHealthcare is working to transform the future of health care.
Footnotes
[1] UnitedHealthcare National Accounts ASO client 2022–2024 analysis, Health Plan Performance Review Oct. 2024. This case study is true. Savings calculated on book-of-business case rate savings for these programs. Savings for enrolled members are case specific. Results will vary based on client-specific demographics and plan design. Results will vary depending on the state where the insured policy is issued and the amount of engagement by employees.
[2] UnitedHealth Group internal data collection and reporting, 2024.
Disclaimers
* Standards utilized by UnitedHealth Premium®. UnitedHealth Premium® is proprietary to UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealth Premium evaluates physicians based on safe, timely, effective and efficient quality care criteria to help members make more informed choices for their health care. It’s intended only as a guide and should not be the sole factor considered when selecting a physician. Designations have a risk of error and members should discuss designations with a physician before choosing one. If a member already has a physician, they should also consult with them for advice on selecting other physicians. The fact that a physician does not have a Premium Care Physician designation does not mean that the physician does not provide quality health care services. All physicians in the UnitedHealthcare network have met certain minimum credentialing requirements (separate from the UnitedHealth Premium criteria). Please visit the medical care directory specific to the member’s benefit plan for physician designations and detailed information about UnitedHealth Premium and the evaluation methodology.
Advocate services should not be used for emergency or urgent care needs. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The information provided through Advocate services is for informational purposes only and provided as part of your health plan. Wellness nurses, coaches and other representatives cannot diagnose problems or recommend treatment and are not a substitute for your doctor’s care. Your health information is kept confidential in accordance with the law. Advocate services are not an insurance program and may be discontinued at any time.
Employee benefits including group health plan benefits may be taxable benefits unless they fit into specific exception categories. Please consult with your tax specialist to determine taxability of these offerings.
Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.
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