UnitedHealth (UNH) 10-Q 2009 Q2 Quarterly report

Exhibit 12.1

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(dollars in millions)	2009		2008		2009		2008
Earnings before income taxes	$	1,301	$	509	$	2,838	$	2,068
Fixed charges		161		185		316		357
Total earnings available for fixed charges	$	1,462	$	694	$	3,154	$	2,425
Fixed Charges:
Interest, capitalized and expensed	$	139	$	164	$	270	$	318
Interest component of rental payments		22		21		46		39
Total fixed charges	$	161	$	185	$	316	$	357
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		9.1		3.8		10.0		6.8

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing total earnings available for fixed charges by the fixed charges. For purposes of computing this ratio, fixed charges consist of interest expense including amounts capitalized plus the interest factor in rental expense.