ADDING MULTIMEDIA UnitedHealthcare to Launch Connected Care Telehealth Program in Rural Colorado

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Mon Aug 17, 2009 5:24pm EDT

* Connected Care program to launch in several Centura Health clinics as well as
federally qualified health centers
* Colorado among the first states in the country to benefit from nationwide
rollout of innovative technology that will expand physicians` reach into
underserved areas
* Program will provide people in certain rural areas access to world-class
primary care physicians and specialists, making it easier for patients to see
the doctors they need

DENVER--(Business Wire)--
UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) company, announced it will
launch the Connected Care program in Colorado, giving patients in certain rural
locations expanded access to physicians and specialists using advanced
telehealth technology. The Colorado program is among the first in
UnitedHealthcare`s work with Cisco (NYSE: CSCO) and others to build a national
telehealth network. 

The new "Connected Care" program combines audio and video technology and health
resources to greatly expand physicians` reach into rural, urban and other
underserved areas. 

UnitedHealthcare is partnering with the State of Colorado and Centura Health,
with assistance from the Colorado Rural Health Center, to implement the
innovative program that leverages advanced technology to give residents access
to physicians and medical specialists when in-person visits are not possible. 

"This is just another example of where Colorado is leading the nation to a
healthier future," said Gov. Bill Ritter. "Through innovative technology and
impressive collaboration we`re solving critical health care challenges and
making care affordable and accessible in all parts of Colorado. We`re pleased to
have it happening in our state and congratulate the partners on the launch of
this important project." 

Connected Care sites will be built in several Centura Health facilities as well
as federally qualified community health centers in Colorado. The sites will
feature sophisticated audio, video and health care technologies that will
connect patients with medical specialists located hundreds of miles away,
enabling for coordinated care with primary care physicians located in the rural
communities. Connected Care uses Cisco`s high-definition video conferencing and
other collaborative network technologies to create an experience remarkably
similar to having the doctor in the same room with the patient. 

UnitedHealthcare is working with Centura Health, the Colorado Rural Health
Center and the Colorado Community Health Network to identify communities and
sites as initial pilot locations for the telehealth clinics. Possible locations
include rural health clinics or federally qualified community health centers.
The Connected Care sites, which will be installed starting during the first
quarter of 2010, are expected to make available nearly 4,800 specialist visits
per year in those communities. 

The Colorado program initially will target specialties in rural areas that are
either not currently available at a local level or only available on a part-time
basis. These are likely to include Cardiology, Dermatology, Pulmonology,
Diabetes Management and ENT, among others. 

"Connected Care helps eliminate distance as an obstacle to accessing needed
health care and provides underserved populations with a more convenient way to
receive quality care," said Beth Soberg, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Colorado. "We
are excited to bring the `house call of the 21st century` to Colorado and to
expand upon the state`s current health care infrastructure through the use of
this innovative technology." 

UnitedHealthcare has a history of supporting Colorado health care programs. The
company has this decade provided $7.5 million in grants to support rural health
programs statewide, including for health information technology, facility
improvements and wellness programs. 

"Connected Care provides a real-time solution in rural Colorado, maximizing
technology that bridges the distance to clinical knowledge, specialized
expertise and quality health services," said Gary Campbell, president and CEO of
Centura Health. "We believe Connected Care will enhance the rural health
infrastructure and unlock new possibilities for how our physicians and medical
staff interact with and touch our patients." 

For instance, Connected Care allows patients to simultaneously have group video
consultations with multiple physicians who are in different locations. This will
eliminate the need for follow-up referral appointments and allow for more
collaborative diagnostic exams, likely reducing time and expense for both
physicians and patients. 

"The goal of this program is to augment the communities` existing health care
systems and provide more convenient access to people who need health care
services," said Lou Ann Wilroy, executive director of the Colorado Rural Health
Center, a nonprofit that functions as the State Office of Rural Health. "For
many people in rural areas, seeing a specialist means traveling hundreds of
miles, which is especially challenging for the elderly and critically ill.
Connected Care will help alleviate that problem." 

More details on the Connected Care program, and its collaboration in Colorado,
can be found at www.ConnectedCareAmerica.com. 

About Centura Health

Colorado's largest health care provider, the Centura Health family includes 12
hospitals, seven senior living communities, medical clinics, Flight For Life and
home care and hospice services. A nonprofit, faith-based organization, Centura
Health is a joint venture organization that was formed in 1996 by Catholic
Health Initiatives Colorado and Adventist Health System. Centura Health provides
care and comfort to more than half a million people each year and is one of
Colorado`s largest private employers with nearly 13,000 associates. For more
information on Centura Health, visit www.centura.org. 

Centura Health hospitals are: Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville; Littleton
Adventist Hospital in Littleton; Parker Adventist Hospital in Parker; Porter
Adventist Hospital in Denver; Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs; St. Anthony
Central Hospital in Denver; St. Anthony North Hospital in Westminster; St.
Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco; St. Francis Health Center in Colorado
Springs; St. Francis Medical Center in Colorado Springs; St. Mary-Corwin Medical
Center in Pueblo; and St. Thomas More Hospital in Cañon City. 

About the Colorado Rural Health Center

The Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) was established in 1991 as Colorado`s
State Office of Rural Health. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, CRHC`s
serves dual roles as the State Office of Rural Health with the mission of
assisting rural communities in addressing healthcare issues; and as the State
Rural Health Association, advocating for policy change to ensure that rural
Coloradans have access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare services of the
highest quality. The Colorado Rural Health Center has a diverse and inclusive
statewide constituency of over 3,500 people and organizations. CRHC collaborates
with a variety of partner organizations such as public and private sector
corporations, government agencies, foundations, hospitals, and other health
facilities. For more information visit www.coruralhealth.org, call 303-832-7493,
or call toll free 800-851-6782 from rural Colorado. 

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare (www.unitedhealthcare.com) provides a full spectrum of
consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services to individuals, public
sector employers and businesses of all sizes, including more than half of the
Fortune 100 companies. The company organizes access to quality, affordable
health care services on behalf of more than 25 million individual consumers,
contracting directly with approximately 590,000 physicians and care
professionals and more than 4,900 hospitals to offer them 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. 

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UnitedHealthcare
Will Shanley, 720-628-1155
will.shanley@uhc.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009

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