[June 13, 2011]

Optum Provides Free Emotional Support Help Line for Tornado Victims in Northeast States; Also Announces Financial Support for Red Cross Efforts in Region

Optum, a leading health services company, is offering a free emotional support help line for individuals in Northeast communities affected by the recent tornados.

The company's toll-free help line number, 866-342-6892, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is free of charge and open to anyone. Staffed by experienced master's-level behavioral health specialists from the company's OptumHealth business, the free help line offers assistance to callers seeking help in dealing with stress, anxiety and the grieving process. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources to help them with specific concerns, including financial and legal matters.

In addition, through a $500,000 annual commitment, Optum participates in the Annual Disaster Giving Program of the American Red Cross, which is offering shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to people in the affected communities.

Along with the toll-free help line, emotional support resources and information ae available online in English at www.liveandworkwell.com and in Spanish at www.mentesana-cuerposano.com.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About Optum
Optum is an information and technology-enabled health services company serving the broad health care marketplace, including care providers, plan sponsors, life sciences companies and consumers. Its business units - OptumInsight, OptumHealth and OptumRx - employ more than 30,000 people worldwide.

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