1、100-6172 UnitedHealth Group UnitedHealth Group Center 9900 Bren Road East Minnetonka,Minnesota 2004 Annual ReportThe Measure of a CompanyUNITEDHEALTH GROUPQualityAffordabilityAccessibilityUsabilityBy conventional standards of measurement,UnitedHealth Groupachieved strong performance across its diver
2、se set ofbusinesses in 2004.But as important as financial results are,they alone do not fully convey the tangible advances in our efforts to promote optimal health for all people.Perhaps most gratifying is the measurable progress UnitedHealth Group continues to make toward addressing key challenges
3、in health care.This is being realized by marshalingunparalleled capabilities in organizing resources,developing and applying technology,and using data to enhance knowledge across a diverse set of markets.The strategic focus of our company,which has remained unchanged for more than a decade and a hal
4、f,centerson making the health care system a system rich in capability,but consistently inefficient,variable in its results and challenging in its accessibility work better.Over these years,we have held fast to our key beliefs in offering choice and access,simplifying the health care experience,promo
5、ting safe and evidence-based medicine,facilitating care for people and,ultimately,improving affordability.These core principles andelements focused on the needs of the marketplace rather than a particular product orcapability have served as our impetus to pursue innovations and opportunities across
6、thefull spectrum of the health and well-being arena.In so doing,we have had a meaningfulimpact on advancing health and well-being for the constituencies we serve.The shared commitment of our employees,regardless of individual responsibilities or involvement in a particular business unit,is that in e