Medicare Modernization Act offers significant enhancements in health plan
coverage options with plans that feature prescription drug benefits, low out-
of-pocket costs
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Humana Inc.
(NYSE: HUM) announced today that it has received approval from The Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer a regional PPO, a new type of
Medicare Advantage health plan, in 23 states. This plan is a direct result of
the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003, and will be offered by Humana to
Medicare beneficiaries in 14 recently created Medicare Advantage regions. (See
table at the end of this release for a list of states where Humana's MA-PPOs
are offered.)
Beginning Jan. 1, 2006, more than 42 million Medicare eligible
beneficiaries throughout the United States will have access to the Medicare
Advantage regional preferred provider organization (MA-PPOs) health plans.
These plans differ from Medicare Advantage HMOs in that there is no referral
necessary to see a physician or specialist of choice. MA-PPOs also differ
from Original Medicare in that they feature a prescription drug benefit and
have been designed by CMS to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries living in all
areas of the country have ready access to affordable, comprehensive health
insurance.
Humana currently offers Medicare Advantage HMO and local PPO plans in more
than 40 markets nationwide, and Medicare Advantage private fee for-service
(PFFS) plans statewide in more than thirty states.
"This award by CMS is significant in that it allows Humana to better meet
the needs of people with Medicare who live in areas that have not previously
had access to alternative Medicare plans," said Stefen Brueckner, Humana vice
president of senior products. "Until recently, many Medicare beneficiaries
residing in areas other than metropolitan hubs had little, if any, health care
insurance plans to choose from other than Original Medicare or Medicare
supplement (Medigap) plans."
Brueckner added, "Congress has taken a historical step in modernizing the
Medicare program, and we are taking action to make healthcare coverage more
affordable and accessible by expanding our product offerings into new markets.
All 14 regions where Humana will offer the regional PPO will have two plan
options that will include the prescription drug benefit. In some regions, a
third PPO will have a zero premium but will not include the prescription drug
benefit. Those options, coupled with membership in the SilverSneakers(R)
Fitness Program at no additional cost to our members makes this approach very
attractive to Medicare beneficiaries around the country."
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 news releases;
- Replays 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.
2006 HUMANA MEDICARE MMA # of MEDICARE
ADVANTAGE REGIONAL PPOs REGION BENEFICIARIES
Alabama 10 750,733
Arizona 21 769,443
Arkansas 15 471,368
Georgia 8 1,019,219
Florida 9 3,041,852
Illinois 14 1,720,335
Indiana 13 910,9890
Kansas 18 405,801
Kentucky 13 677,660
Louisiana 16 650,510
Michigan 11 1,501,197
Mississippi 16 457,314
Missouri 15 917,825
North Carolina 7 1,258,190
Ohio 12 1,784,284
Oklahoma 18 541,369
Pennsylvania 6 2,167,299
South Carolina 8 636,365
Tennessee 10 912,365
Texas 17 2,504,912
Virginia 7 981,773
West Virginia 6 359,789
Wisconsin 14 834,673
SOURCE Humana Inc.
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CONTACT:
Barbara Kerr of Humana Corporate
Communications, +1-305-626-5736, or bkerr@humana.com
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