Texas Restaurant Association and UnitedHealthcare Help Improve Health Benefits Access to Texas Restaurant Owners, Employees

National alliance expands locally to provide easier access to affordable health care coverage

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- More than 37,000 Texas restaurant owners and operators now have access to health insurance and related products and services through the Restaurant Health Care Alliance, a joint project of the National Restaurant Association and UnitedHealthcare.

The Alliance, partnering with the Texas Restaurant Association, provides a suite of health care products that will help Texas restaurant employees access lower-cost health care coverage and related products and services. These include individual and small-business Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Health Savings Account (HSA) health plans as well as discount programs available through OptumHealth Allies.

In addition, restaurant owners and employees will have access to a wealth of information about health care coverage options, and tax and eligibility changes that are occurring in 2011 and beyond.

“The rising cost of providing health benefits coverage for hourly and part-time employees has long been a key challenge facing restaurant owners and operators,” said Richie Jackson, CEO, Texas Restaurant Association. “By helping our members and their employees understand and access the health care options available to them, we believe we can ensure the industry continues to prosper. We look forward to working with UnitedHealthcare in this partnership to provide the resources and information the industry needs.”

“This is a unique opportunity for UnitedHealthcare to work with the Texas Restaurant Association to help provide valuable health care information and products that best meet the needs of restaurant owners and employees in Texas,” said Tom Quirk, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual of Texas.

The restaurant industry is an important part of the Texas economy. It is the second-largest private-sector employer, representing 9 percent of employment in Texas, according to the National Restaurant Association. Also, nearly 30 additional jobs are created for every extra $1 million spent in the state’s eating and drinking places.

For individualized assistance, members can also call 1-800-293-3164 and speak with a consultant who has been specially trained to respond to the health care needs of the restaurant industry.

About Texas Restaurant Association
The Texas Restaurant Association was formed in 1937 to serve as the advocate in Texas and the indispensable resource for the hospitality and foodservice industry. Today, as a leading business association, TRA represents the state’s $36.6 billion restaurant industry, which is comprised of 37,000 plus locations and a workforce of over one million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation, the Association represents, educates and promotes the growing industry. www.restaurantville.com

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.

UnitedHealthcareKim Whitaker, 469-633-8536
kim_t_whitaker@uhc.com
or
Texas Restaurant AssociationWendy Saari, 512-457-4100
wsaari@tramail.org

Source: UnitedHealthcare