Advocacy Services

family playing underneath a table tent

Beginning March 1, 2024, Columbia University has moved to a new platform for advocacy services. Advocate4Me is the front door to an enhanced benefits experience for United Healthcare members.

  • Health advocates are able to answer medical, Optum Rx, Optum Behavioral and Optum Financial inquiries without transfers.
  • Nurse advocates are available to provide health education and proactive outbound support.
  • Super advocates are available to support complex issue escalations.
  • Behavioral health specialists who partner with Elite Advocates. They seamlessly connect members to appropriate behavioral health resources including external vendors.

Further services include:

  • Referrals to United Healthcare/Optum programs
  • Connect members via a warm transfer to Columbia University’s third party vendors such as Maven or TELUS.
  • 1:1 support for special and complex family needs.
    • Advocates serve the entire family with 1:1 support and multi-disciplinary engagement on complex and urgent issues.
  • 1:1 support for gender-affirming care.
  • Social determinants of health: Addressing social barriers to well-being.
  • Community services
  • Cost-saving programs
  • Local support groups
  • Veteran-specific support

Contact:

  • Call 800-232-9357, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.   
  • Chat at myuhc.com or through the UHC mobile app, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
  • Open the United Healthcare app for assistance on the go  

For retiree medical information, including questions concerning Medicare, contact Via Benefits at 855-803-2540.