NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Nov. 29, 2004--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s (NYSE: UNH; 'A/Stable/A-1') announced plan to acquire Definity Health Corp. for about $300 million in cash does not have an effect on the ratings. Definity is a leading provider of consumer-driven health benefit programs with about $100 million in projected 2005 revenues. Standard&Poor's believes that the acquisition is modest in size and is consistent with UNH's acquisition strategy to enhance selected product and service capabilities. Standard&Poor's acknowledges the transaction will result in modest incremental intangible assets. Total goodwill and intangible assets were about 94% of shareholders' equity as of Sept. 30, 2004. This ratio, though high, is generally
