CONTACTS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK, N.J. - APRIL 25, 2011 12:00 AM (EDT)
A.M. Best Co. has withdrawn the issuer credit rating (ICR) of "bbb+" of Sierra Health Services Inc. (SHS) (Las Vegas, NV), due to the rating no longer being necessary. SHS is an intermediate holding company whose ultimate parent is UnitedHealth Group Inc. (Minnetonka, MN) [NYSE: UNH].
SHS' subsidiaries, Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company Inc. and Health Plan of Nevada Inc. will continue to be rated by A.M. Best, and their financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and ICRs of "a-" are unchanged.
The principal methodology used in determining these ratings is Best's Credit Rating Methodology - Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Edition, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best's rating process and highlights the different rating criteria employed. Methodologies can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.
Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.