UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services Statement on the TRICARE South Region Contract Protest

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct 29, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) today announced it has sustained a protest of the Department of Defense TRICARE South Region Managed Care Support contract award to UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services. Based on procurement protocol, the Department of Defense will review the recommendations issued by GAO and decide how to proceed with the procurement.

"UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services made a very strong proposal to the Department of Defense. We stand ready to support the health care needs of our nation's service members, retirees and their families. We will continue to participate in the process as the Department of Defense determines how to implement GAO's recommendations," said Lori C. McDougal, CEO of UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services.

On July 13, 2009, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services the TRICARE South Region Managed Care Support contract. The incumbent, Humana Military Healthcare Services protested the contract award on July 22, 2009.

About UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services (UMVS) is a UnitedHealth Group business. UMVS is headquartered in Minneapolis. The TRICARE South Region Managed Care Support contract covers 3 million active-duty and retired members of the uniformed services and their families in 11 states.

About UnitedHealth Group UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves approximately 70 million individuals nationwide.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain statements, estimates, projections, guidance or outlook that constitute "forward-looking" statements as defined under U.S.

federal securities laws. Generally the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "project," "will" and similar expressions, identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. These statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions, trends and uncertainties and involve risks and uncertainties. We caution that actual results could differ materially from those that management expects, depending on the outcome of certain factors including the duration of the contract, service needs, the level of enrollment in the program and our performance relative to contract standards.

SOURCE: UnitedHealth Group UnitedHealth Group CONTACT: UnitedHealth Group Jack Sheehan, Communications Director 952- 931-6067 (Office), 952-270-7594 (Mobile) E-mail: [e-mail] Copyright Business Wire 2009 -0- KEYWORD: United States

North America

Minnesota INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Health

Hospitals

Professional Services

Insurance

Defense

Contracts SUBJECT CODE: Contract/Agreement