PRESS RELEASE

UnitedHealth Group Donates $500,000 to Help Californians Affected by Wildfires

November 16, 2018
  • Free emotional-support help line available to people affected by the wildfires

  • Company also offers 1:1 match for employee donations supporting disaster-relief efforts

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) and its UnitedHealthcare and Optum businesses are donating $500,000 to help residents of California recover and rebuild from the devastating fires in Butte, Ventura and Los Angeles counties. UnitedHealth Group will donate the funds to California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund. The relief fund supports California communities’ wildfire preparedness, recovery and rebuilding efforts including direct support to individuals and families affected by the wildfires. The company is also matching dollar-for-dollar donations employees make to charities supporting recovery efforts.

“UnitedHealth Group’s meaningful donation will play a critical role in serving the recovery efforts for those whose lives have been uprooted by the fires,” said Antonia Hernández, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation. “When our friends and neighbors need us most, CCF is proud to serve as a trusted place for the business community to come together to support important efforts such as wildfire relief.”

“We are deeply concerned for the individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by the recent wildfires, and we’re committed to helping these communities rebuild,” said David S. Wichmann, Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealth Group. “We also want our colleagues directly affected by these fires to know they and their families will continue to have our support in helping to recover.”

In addition to financial support for the affected communities, Optum is offering a free emotional-support help line to people affected by the wildfires. The toll-free 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. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources. Along with the toll-free help line, emotional-support resources and information are available online at www.liveandworkwell.com.

About California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund

The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund supports intermediate and long-term recovery efforts for major California wildfires, as well as preparedness efforts. For more information, visit https://www.calfund.org/wildfire-relief-fund/.

About UnitedHealth Group

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health care company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and helping to make the health system work better for everyone. UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services. For more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at www.unitedhealthgroup.com or follow @UnitedHealthGrp on Twitter.