Beneficiaries in Louisiana will have access to health plans that feature
prescription drug benefits and low out-of-pockets, alternative to Medicare
supplement
NEW ORLEANS, July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare beneficiaries in rural
America will soon have more than one option for health care coverage thanks to
the passing of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) in 2003. Up until
recently, Medicare beneficiaries in Louisiana had little, if any, health care
insurance options other that traditional Medicare or Medicare supplemental
insurance (MediGap policies).
Beginning January 1, 2006, more than 650,000 Medicare beneficiaries
residing in Louisiana -- part of Medicare Advantage's recently established
Region #16 -- will have access to a new type of Medicare health plan known as
regional preferred provider organizations (PPOs). Regional PPOs differ from
an HMO in that there is no referral necessary to see a physician or specialist
of choice. These plans also differs from traditional Medicare in that they
feature a prescription drug benefit, and are designed specifically by The
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries
living in all areas of the country have ready access to affordable,
comprehensive health care -- especially those who live in underserved rural
areas.
"Humana intends to offer a Medicare Advantage regional PPO in up to 14 of
the nation's 26 regions," said George Renaudin, president of Senior Products
for Humana in Louisiana and Mississippi. "We applaud Congress for taking this
historical step forward to modernize the Medicare program, and we are taking
action to make health care coverage more affordable and accessible by
expanding our Medicare Advantage product offering into regions such as
Louisiana. The MMA has enabled Humana to reduce out-of-pocket costs for
Medicare beneficiaries and enhance benefits, particularly the prescription
drug benefit which previously may not have been available to many
beneficiaries living in rural areas."
About Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc.
Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc. is one of the largest health
benefit plans in the New Orleans market and the third largest in the state of
Louisiana.
Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana Inc. is the only health plan in
Louisiana to be awarded the Excellent Accreditation from NCQA twice in a row.
"Excellent" is the highest accreditation awarded by NCQA, an independent, not-
for-profit organization dedicated to measuring the quality of America's health
care.
About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is one of the nation's
largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately
7 million medical members. Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health
insurance products and related services -- through traditional and consumer-
choice plans -- to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and
individuals.
Over its 44-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to
meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer
engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health
plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.
More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the
Investor Relations page of the company's web site at http://www.humana.com,
including copies of:
- Annual report to stockholders;
- Securities and Exchange Commission filings;
- Most recent investor conference presentation;
- Quarterly earnings press releases;
- Audio archive of most recent earnings release conference call;
- Calendar of events (includes upcoming earnings conference call dates,
times, and access number, as well as planned interaction with
institutional investors);
- Corporate Governance Information.
SOURCE Humana Inc.
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CONTACT:
Ross McLerran of Humana Corporate
Communications, +1-504-219-5101, or rmclerran@humana.com
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