New jobs will support health plan customers in New York and throughout the United States

UnitedHealthcare is hiring 150 additional employees at its Tonawanda operations center in 2012.

The new jobs follow nearly 125 that were added in 2011, bringing the company's total workforce in the Buffalo area to more than 700 employees by the end of this year.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, New York Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy, State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, State Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Anthony Caruana joined Bill Golden, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual of New York and Karen Bogdan, UnitedHealthcare's Tonawanda site director, to announce the company's expansion plans.

"UnitedHealthcare is excited about the Tonawanda and Buffalo region as an employer and business partner, and we welcome the opportunity to be a key driver in the region's growth," Golden said. "Our employees in Western New York consistently deliver high-quality, customer-centric support to individuals and businesses throughout New York State and across the country, making this a key region for business expansion as the company continues to grow."

UnitedHealthcare opened its Tonawanda facility in April 2005 to support its employer-sponsored and individual health plan customers throughout New York State and across the United States. Tonawanda employees answer plan participants' calls, process claims and provide clinical case management.

People with health care or customer service experience are encouraged to apply for positions in customer service, claims processing and case management. To learn more about available positions, visit careers.unitedhealthgroup.com.

By the end of 2012, UnitedHealthcare will employ more than 4,000 people in New York. Currently, the company serves more than 3.8 million New York residents with a health care provider network of more than 230 hospitals and 43,500 physicians and care professionals statewide.

"Success builds on success, and today's news that UnitedHealth will add 150 new jobs in Tonawanda is a great boost for the already bustling call center operation in the region. Today's announcement demonstrates what we've always known - that western New York's workforce and the whole community are top-rate, and a wise choice for any growing business. I applaud UnitedHealth for continuing to invest and bring good-paying jobs to Tonawanda, which will total 700 by the end of this year, and look forward to continued expansion down the road," said U.S. Senator Schumer.

"New York State's economy is coming back stronger than ever, with companies like UnitedHealthcare investing in creating new jobs at New York facilities like this one in Tonawanda," Lieutenant Governor Duffy said. "As a result of Governor Cuomo's leadership, New Yorkers are going back to work in communities all across the state, and by investing here in Western New York, UnitedHealthcare is continuing to play an important role in the state's economic recovery and help drive the region's growth."

"This is great news for Tonawanda. Western New York is a thriving hub for the health care sector, from insurers and care providers to cutting-edge research. By expanding its operations and growing its workforce, UnitedHealthcare will contribute to the region's health care community as well as the local economy, and I commend its commitment to Western New York," said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

"The State Legislature, working with Governor Cuomo, has made strides in improving New York State's business climate. Especially during the last two budget cycles, the decision to cut spending and lower taxes has signaled to companies such as UnitedHealthcare that this is a climate in which they can expand their business and create jobs. UnitedHealthcare's announcement to add 150 jobs here in Western New York is an acknowledgement that New York's economy is moving in a stronger, more positive direction. I applaud the executive and management team for their continued investment in their Tonawanda facility," said New York State Senator Ranzenhofer.

"I am very pleased that UnitedHealth Group will once again expand its workforce to now total more than 700 employees at the Tonawanda site," said New York State Assemblyman Schimminger, D-C-I-Kenmore. "Today's announcement of job growth will spark economic growth, as well as provide better support for more than 230 hospitals and more than 43,000 physicians statewide. I applaud UnitedHealth for its continued investment in Tonawanda, the region and the health care industry."

"UnitedHealth Group's continued growth and success here in Tonawanda is a testament to the quality of our local workforce and the willingness of UnitedHealth to invest here," said Erie County Executive Poloncarz. "It's our hope that these 150 new hires will help UnitedHealth to new success, and that many more new hires will be on the way."

"We are extremely pleased to see the expansion of the workforce here in the Town of Tonawanda. UnitedHealthcare is a great addition to our Colvin Woods Park, and the increase of 150 employees shows the positive growth and impact the company has made by developing and expanding in a very short time frame during these difficult economic times. We look forward to a close working relationship to support the company in our community," said Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Caruana.

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 650,000 physicians and care professionals and 5,000 hospitals nationwide. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 38 million people and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.