LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is delivering much needed assistance to individuals affected by the California wildfires 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 ongoing wildfires.

In addition, UnitedHealth Group and its family of companies are taking additional actions to help those affected by the fires.

Effective Sept. 2 through Sept. 16, 2009, UnitedHealthcare is temporarily allowing affected members who are enrolled in its fully insured health plans and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services to obtain early refills of their prescription medications, if they have refills remaining on file at a retail network or mail order pharmacy. This exception also applies to individuals with prescription coverage through its Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Part D offerings, including AARP MedicareRx plans. For mail order delivery service to affected areas or any other questions related their prescriptions, health plan participants are encouraged to call the pharmacy number on the back of their ID card, or speak directly to a pharmacist about their situation.

Customers who have been displaced or whose network facility is not accessible and require assistance or special accommodations as a result of the wildfires should call the number on the back of their medical ID cards. Customer care professionals are available to help customers who have been displaced from their place of residence locate an in-network health care provider. In an emergency, members should seek care at the nearest medical facility.

OptumHealth, UnitedHealth Group's health and wellness business, is providing a free help line to people in Southern California coping with the emotional consequences of the recent wildfires. Staffed by experienced master's-level 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 available open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for as long as necessary. This service is free of charge. Resources and information are also available online in English at www.liveandworkwell.com and Spanish at www.mentesana-cuerposano.com.

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 UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group 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 more than 70 million individuals nationwide. Visit www.unitedhealthgroup.com for more information.

About OptumHealth

OptumHealth helps individuals navigate the health care system, finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well-being goals. The company's personalized health advocacy and engagement programs tap a unique combination of capabilities that encompass care solutions, behavioral solutions, specialty benefits and financial services. Serving nearly 60 million people, OptumHealth is one of the nation's largest health and wellness companies. It is a business unit of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH). More information about OptumHealth can be found at www.optumhealth.com.





UnitedHealthcare

Cheryl Randolph, 714-226-3441

cheryl.randolph@uhc.com

or

OptumHealth Inc.

Brad Lotterman, 714-445-0453

brad.lotterman@optumhealth.com

Source: UnitedHealth Group