KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (May 19, 2009) UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group, (NYSE: UNH) company, is delivering much needed assistance to tornado victims with a $25,000 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

The donation will be used to support immediate relief efforts, including shelter, meals and supplies, for those affected by the tornado that swept through Kirksville last week.

"Our hearts go out to the injured and those who have lost property, homes and businesses as a result of this tornado," said Steve Walli, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Missouri. "As the local health plan serving this community, we are committed to working with the American Red Cross to provide the necessary resources for those affected by this devastating event."

In addition to the financial commitment, UnitedHealthcare's sister organization, OptumHealth, will provide a free help line to people – regardless of their health plan affiliation – in Missouri and Oklahoma who are trying to cope with the emotional consequences of the recent tornado. Staffed by experienced behavioral health specialists, the free help line offers assistance to callers seeking help in dealing with stress, anxiety and the grieving process. Callers may also receive referrals to a database of community resources to help them with specific concerns, such as financial and legal issues.

The toll-free help line number is 866-342-6892 and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge. Resources and information are also available via the Internet in English at www.liveandworkwell.com and in Spanish at www.mentesana-cuerposano.com.

"The Red Cross responded immediately to the recent tornado in Missouri by setting up shelters, serving meals and providing emotional support to affected families and individuals," said Jennifer Niyangoda, director of Corporate Partnerships at the American Red Cross. "All American Red Cross emergency assistance is provided free of cost, made possible through generous donations from individuals and corporations like UnitedHealthcare."

People interested in providing additional assistance can contact the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help provide food, shelter, and counseling for people impacted by disasters like the recent tornado by logging onto RedCross.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make a donation.

UnitedHealth Group recently became an American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) Member to provide continued support for American Red Cross critical relief efforts in communities across the country.

About the American Red Cross
Help people affected by disasters, like the current floods, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C., 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare provides a full spectrum of consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services to individuals, public sector employers and businesses of all sizes, including more than half of the Fortune 100 companies. The company organizes access to quality, affordable health care services on behalf of more than 25 million individual consumers, contracting directly with approximately 590,000 physicians and care professionals and more than 4,900 hospitals to offer them broad, convenient access to services nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.