Healthcare insurance and services provider UnitedHealthcare and OPEN: The Small Business Network from American Express have initiated a joint marketing agreement that will offer a select suite of healthcare products at preferred prices to American Express business cardmembers, beginning in the second quarter of 2005.

The agreement will enable participating American Express business cardmembers to receive savings on UnitedHealth Allies health discount cards. Business cardmembers in more than 30 states will also have access to preferred pricing on small group health insurance.

Additionally, business cardmembers will be able to pay for their healthcare products using their American Express cards – the first time employers have been able to use any credit card to pay for UnitedHealthcare products.

One of the most challenging issues facing small businesses is access to affordable health care benefits, and we are pleased to partner with OPEN from American Express to help meet this growing need, said Robert Sheehy, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. This alliance is consistent with UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to ensure that small businesses have access to affordable, quality health care options.

OPEN: The Small Business Network is a division of American Express that offers small business owners a wide range of tools, services and savings designed to meet their needs, including charge and credit cards, convenient access to working capital and credit information, enhanced online account management capabilities and enhanced savings on everyday business expenses from industry-leading partners.