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Simon Stevens Appointed Executive Vice President UnitedHealth Group to Lead Enterprise-Wide Health Care Reform Engagement; Will

^{Published on 2009-01-22 07:08:10, Last Modified on 2009-01-22 07:08:53 - Market Wire}
 

MINNEAPOLIS--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) announced today that Simon Stevens will serve as executive vice president, UnitedHealth Group, with major responsibilities in the areas of health care reform and global health interests.

In his new role, which reports to Stephen J. Hemsley, chief executive officer and president of UnitedHealth Group, Mr. Stevens will lead the company's strategic positioning for national health reform, helping ensure its businesses are well positioned to be effective partners in the changing marketplace and evolving government policy environment. He will also establish and direct a UnitedHealth Center for Health Reform, which will draw on thought leadership within the company and from external experts and other resources to address how best to tackle the leading health care challenges facing the U.S.

Stevens also has been appointed president of the company's Global Health interests to oversee the company's current international business opportunities.

Larry C. Renfro, most recently with Fidelity Investments, is joining UnitedHealth Group and will assume Mr. Stevens' position as chief executive officer of Ovations. (A separate release has been issued regarding Mr. Renfro's appointment.)

Mr. Hemsley said, "I am grateful for Simon's successful leadership of Ovations and am delighted that he will now broaden his role and help guide UnitedHealth Group's active and constructive participation in much-needed national health reform, while also leading our international growth. We believe that in this new position Simon will be a great asset to our company as we face a time of change and development; and he will also be a sought after source of expertise and service for our nation."

Since late 2006 Stevens has served as chief executive officer of Ovations, UnitedHealth Group's seniors health business and the nation's largest and most diversified Medicare health plan. Stevens' executive experience in health care spans twenty years of service, in hospitals, primary care and as a payer, in the private and public sectors, both in the U.S. and internationally.

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide. Visit [ www.unitedhealthgroup.com ] for more information.