MINNEAPOLIS - (Dec. 5, 2007) -- UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company, announced that the New York State Department of Civil Service has awarded UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York the contract to administer pharmacy benefits under the Empire Plan, the health plan for state employees and other participating public agencies in New York. 

The agreement represents coverage for more than 1 million members and will provide access to quality and affordable prescription medications, a high level of service and enhanced health care information.

UnitedHealthcare was selected as the successful bidder through a highly competitive, open procurement process administered by the Department of Civil Service.  The company’s full-service pharmacy benefit manager, UnitedHealth Pharmaceutical Solutions (UHPS), will manage the program.

“UnitedHealthcare has been supporting New York State employees’ health care needs through the Empire Plan since 1995,” said Steve Burdick, UnitedHealthcare senior vice president, who manages the company’s overall relationship with the Empire Plan.  “Building upon that relationship, we will now also offer customized solutions for the unique requirements of the New York State pharmacy contract and an innovative, holistic approach to improving access to quality, affordable care.  We are committed to exceeding the State’s expectations for transparency, accountability and service.”

Under UnitedHealthcare’s administration of pharmacy benefits, Empire Plan members will have access to a broad range of affordable pharmaceutical products and support to help them make optimal health care choices.  UHPS will use the administrative and mail distribution services of Medco Health Solutions, a leading pharmacy benefit manager with the nation's largest mail-order pharmacy operations and online prescription management.

The four-year contract is effective Jan. 1, 2008.

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare provides a full spectrum of consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services.  The company organizes access to quality, affordable health care services on behalf of more than 28 million individual consumers, contracting directly with more than 535,000 physicians and care professionals and 4,700 hospitals nationwide to offer consumers broad, convenient access to services nationwide.  UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.