NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) Feb. 2, 2001—Standard&Poor's today affirmed its various ratings on UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UHG) and its operating subsidiaries (see list). The outlook is stable. Major Rating Factors: -- Strong business position. UHG is one of the largest health care organizations in the U.S., providing health care services and benefits to about 15 million lives at year-end 2000 (excluding both individuals served through UnitedHealthcare platforms located in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Pacific coast region--from which the company has transitioned--and members served under the AARP Medicare Supplement plan), adding about 1.2 million enrollees since year-end 1999. -- Well-diversified and -differentiated positioning. UHG is well diversified, operating about 40 organized health plans, four insurance companies,
