NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 21, 2005--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it affirmed its 'A' counterparty credit rating on UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH) and its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on UNH's subsidiaries. (These subsidiaries are rated 'A', except for United HealthCare Insurance Co. and Golden Rule Insurance Co., which are rated 'A+'.) The outlook on UNH and its subsidiaries remains stable. Standard&Poor's also said that it raised its counterparty credit rating on PacifiCare Health Systems LLC to 'A' from 'BBB-' and removed it from CreditWatch with positive implications, where it was placed on July 6, 2005. The outlook on PacifiCare is also stable. These rating actions follow the completion of UNH's acquisition
