Measures intended to ensure access to care for evacuees in Illinois
CHICAGO, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) has modified
certain procedures and requirements to help its health plan members from
hurricane-stricken areas of the Gulf Coast, including parts of Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama. The measures are intended to ease access to needed
health care for Humana's members from the hurricane zone, many of whom have
arrived or are soon expected to arrive in Illinois.
"The damage sustained by the communities and residents of the Gulf Coast
represents a terrible human tragedy," said Julius G. Alberico, chief executive
officer of Humana-Illinois. "Humana is committed to helping its customers in
the affected areas recover as quickly as possible, and we recognize that many
evacuees have sought shelter in Illinois, where they may need health care."
Among the measures temporarily in place for Humana members from areas
affected by the hurricane:
- Humana is approving requests for out-of-network medical services and
lifting requirements for medical pre-certification, referrals, medical
necessity reviews and notification of hospital admissions. Displaced
members who must seek care out-of-network will not be penalized, and
Humana will treat these cases as in-network when calculating the
member's financial responsibility.
- Effective August 28, 2005, Humana will provide a one-month grace period
for the payment of premiums for all individuals and businesses with
commercial or Medicare health plans.
- Humana has waived pharmacy restrictions on refills, so prescriptions
that were lost or left behind during evacuation may be refilled early.
Humana asks members to continue to use the pharmacy or pharmacy chain
they have used in the past if possible.
These and additional guidelines are now in place for Humana members from
certain parishes and counties in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, through
at least September 30, 2005. Humana is continually updating policies and
procedures in recognition of the ever-changing situation following the
disaster. The latest information can be found in a special section of the
company's Web site, http://www.humana.com, devoted to Hurricane Katrina.
For help locating a health care provider or for other assistance, Humana
members can call the toll free number on the back of their Humana health
insurance identification card, or Humana's customer service representatives at
1-866-427-7478.
Earlier, Humana announced that the Humana Foundation will donate
$1,000,000 to disaster relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
In addition, the Humana Foundation will provide an unlimited match - dollar
for dollar - to all donations made by Humana associates through November 1,
2005, to the American Red Cross hurricane relief effort.
Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., a subsidiary of Humana
Inc., is one of the largest health benefit plans in the New Orleans market and
the third largest in the state of Louisiana with approximately 180,000
commercial medical members and approximately 36,000 members in the Medicare
Advantage program.
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.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.humana.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030425/HUMANALOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/423125.html
CONTACT:
Mark Mathis of Humana Corporate
Communications, +1-312-441-5010, or cell, +1-630-835-6651, or
mmathis@humana.com
|
