--Tailored, flexible benefit packages created for employees at historically black colleges and universities

--African American Employee Benefit Solutions program to address racial disparities in health care with innovative benefit designs, integrated care management, and wellness programs

Tuesday, March 14, 2006—UnitedHealthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH), today announced a unique partnership with leading African American academic health centers and business leaders to implement health solutions for employees and faculties of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

"UnitedHealthcare is pleased to collaborate with North Carolina Mutual and AV International to offer African American Employee Benefit Solutions (AAEBS), an affordable health-enhancing benefits program designed specifically for historically black academic institutions,"said Reed Tuckson, M.D., senior vice president, Consumer Health and Medical Care Advancement at UnitedHealth Group and former president of a minority academic health university.

"We are especially excited by this opportunity to combine our expertise in wellness and care facilitation services with the special knowledge and experience of African American academic medical centers. Together we can make a real difference in helping people make better health decisions and getting the care they need."

According to John Maupin, D.D.S., president of Meharry MedicalCollege: "Historically Black Colleges and Universities have struggled valiantly to offer affordable and effective health care to their campuses - a struggle made more difficult because of the disparities in health and medical care outcomes experienced by their communities. This partnership represents the first time a major health company such as UnitedHealthcare has incorporated the expertise of the black medical community in the design and operation of products to meet our specific needs."

The new AAEBS plans focus on providing affordable access to a comprehensive suite of services that includes medical, vision, dental, life, disability and behavioral-health benefits. In addition, based on the input of the black college community, African American Employee Benefit Solutions integrates health promotion and disease prevention initiatives recommended by minority physician experts into the core offering focusing on conditions such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and sickle cell anemia.

"Unfortunately, health disparities are but one of the difficulties faced by African American communities," said Arthell Davis, Vice President of Group Operations, North Carolina Mutual, the oldest and largest insurance company with roots in the African American community. "There are also many disparities related to overall financial welfare and with North Carolina Mutual's experience in the life insurance arena, this partnership is able to offer services that focus on the total health of our community, including its financial well-being."HBCUs are vital national resources," said Andre Duggin, AV International CEO and Chairman of the Board.

"We know from our experience in working with minority businesses in insurance designs and risk management interventions how important it is to design products that are tailored to meet the special challenges faced by the administrators of these institutions. We have designed AAEBS to do just that."The students and faculty of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities are motivated survivors and self-achievers," said Tuckson. "We look forward to providing them with effective tools and supportive services that assist them in maximizing their health as they work to transform their communities."