Current Humana Medicare Advantage members will see improved prescription drug
options
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- People eligible for
Medicare will have a wide range of plan options, including medical benefits
that include the new prescription drug coverage with a $0 premium, in approved
Medicare Advantage plans for 2006, Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced today.
The plans, approved by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS),
will be offered to Medicare beneficiaries beginning Nov. 15, 2005 and become
effective Jan. 1, 2006.
Humana will be offering the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP)
in 46 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, the company will have
regional PPOs in 23 states - more than any other health insurer. Humana's wide
array of plan options will include local PPOs, $0 premium HMOs that include
the new prescription drug benefits in all of its Florida markets, Phoenix and
Louisiana as well as private fee for service (PFFS) plans with premiums as low
as $0 that include the new prescription drug benefit.
"People who are already enrolled in Humana Medicare Advantage plans will
have better prescription drug coverage next year than they have in 2005," said
Steve Brueckner, Humana vice president of senior products. "There are no more
maximum annual benefits or monthly limits and for the most part co-pays have
been dramatically decreased."
Brueckner said there are additional key points that illustrate Humana's
continued effort to give people with Medicare affordable plan options for
2006:
- There will be three prescription plan options in the 46 states and
District of Columbia where Humana will be offering the PDP benefit,
each option designed to meet the varying needs of all people with
Medicare.
- The Humana PDP is the only plan with a premium under $20 in 16 states.
- Humana is also one of only two insurers in 29 states with a PDP plan
premium under $20.
Humana has the nation's largest regional PPO plan offering with coverage
in 23 states. There are three plan designs in each region, with the
prescription drug plan being the only difference between the plan options.
Those who enroll in the Humana regional PPO will be able to see Humana
contracted providers in any of the 23 states Humana will be covering and take
advantage of in-network benefits.
The already successful Private Fee for Service plan, currently being
offered in more than 30 states, means Medicare beneficiaries can see any
provider who accepts Medicare and Humana's payment terms and conditions. The
PFFS plan for 2006 includes an enhanced prescription drug plan, and Medicare
eligibles in certain counties in 28 states where Humana offers this benefit
plan can choose a $0 premium plan. There are more than 10 million Medicare
eligibles who live where Humana is offering that plan option.
"Overall, we believe Humana is best positioned to give people with
Medicare a wide variety of plan options that will give them access to
affordable health care," said Brueckner. "Choosing the right plan is critical,
and Humana has the tools and experience to help Medicare beneficiaries choose
the plan that's best for them."
The federal government has made available several tools that people with
Medicare can use to help them decide what benefits they need and what is
available in their area. A Medicare Prescription Drug Cost Estimator, designed
to help determine possible out-of-pocket costs and assist in choosing a plan
design, is available on the Internet at
http://www.medicare.gov/medicarereform/drugbenefit.asp. Those with questions can
also call 1-800-MEDICARE.
About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, 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.
SOURCE Humana Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.humana.com
http://www.medicare.gov/medicarereform/drugbenefit.asp
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/423125.html
CONTACT:
Barbara Kerr, Corporate Communications,
+1-305-626-5736, or bkerr@humana.com, or Regina Nethery, Investor
Relations, +1-502-580-3644, or rnethery@humana.com, both of
Humana
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