UnitedHealth Group (UNH) plans to create nearly 1,500 jobs in Texas as the health benefits and services company looks to expand its presence in the state. The company currently employs nearly 11,000 Texans and the new hires will increase UnitedHealth's global workforce by roughly 2%. UnitedHealth plans to open a new Irving solution center in July for its Connextions unit, creating 800 jobs. Connextions, which currently has about 7,000 employees, helps health insurers to enroll, retain and service their members. The unit has spent $5.5 million to build the 76,400-square-foot solution center. A new fulfillment center in Sugar Land for pharmacy benefits manager OptumRx will create 330 jobs over the next 12 to 18 months. UnitedHealth said it expects to occupy the new OptumRx office later this year and recruiting should begin in the fourth quarter. The company also said it will add 115 jobs at its Harlingen operations center while its San Antonio operations center will get an additional 250 workers. UnitedHealth, the biggest managed-care company by revenue and membership, reported in April its first-quarter earnings rose 3.1% as swelling health-insurance membership helped boost revenue 7.3%. Write to Melodie Warner at melodie.warner@dowjones.com
