In groundbreaking alliance, Humana partners with Pfizer Health Solutions to
create multi-dimensional 'Green Ribbon Health' program
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced
today that it has been selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) to develop one of the first pilot sites under the new Medicare
Voluntary Chronic Care Improvement Program (CCIP) through a joint venture with
Pfizer Health Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of the worldwide Pfizer
pharmaceutical firm.
Operating as "Green Ribbon Health," the pilot will unite Humana's
expertise in health-benefits innovation - including predictive modeling and
its unique Personal Nurse program -- with Pfizer's leadership in creating
effective health solutions to improve the health and quality of life for
Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions. The program will
operate in a nine-county area that includes Tampa and Sarasota, Fla. The pilot
includes about 20,000 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who are suffering
from diabetes and congestive heart failure as identified by CMS.
The CCIP was authorized as part of the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act.
The pilots are expected to serve approximately 150,000 to 300,000 Medicare
fee-for-service beneficiaries.
"We commend Congress and the administration for their foresight in
establishing these innovative pilot programs, which offer help and hope to
people who need it most," said Michael B. McCallister, president and chief
executive officer of Humana. "By having the courage to reform a 40-year-old
entitlement program, the government is offering chronically ill seniors up-to-
the-minute breakthroughs in technology, evidence-based medicine, behavior
change models and community support networks, all designed to improve health
outcomes and reduce cost inefficiency in the health care system as a whole."
The three-year program leverages Pfizer Health Solutions' innovative
community-based care team model of nurses, doctors, community health workers,
pharmacists and social workers who work in concert with patients, offering
self-care guidance and decision support to improve their health. Patients will
identify their health and environmental needs and work with providers to take
action steps for health and quality of life improvement. Green Ribbon will
present participating seniors with an array of health services to help them
prevent complications and maintain their independence.
"We're honored to have been selected for this important program," said
Jonathan T. Lord, M.D., Humana's senior vice president and chief innovation
officer. "We're confident that the innovations we've developed for our
commercial populations -- to find people who need help and to help them make
their care decisions -- will improve the care, treatment and quality of life
for chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries. As a 20-year participant in the
Medicare program, Humana is committed to the improvement of health and quality
of life for the nation's elderly."
Other program partners who will be working with Humana and Pfizer Health
Solutions in Green Ribbon Health include the Florida Agency for Health Care
Administration, Tampa General Hospital, BayCare Health System and Florida's
Quality Improvement Organization, as well as many disease-specific community
organizations and medical professional groups.
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 located primarily in 15 states and Puerto Rico.
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 43-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 (including detailed description of
unusual items, where applicable);
- 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.
About Pfizer
Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading
prescription medicines for humans and animals, including many of the world's
best-known consumer brands. Pfizer Health Solutions, the wholly-owned care
management subsidiary of Pfizer, partners with healthcare and community
organizations to implement patient-centered programs that focus on prevention,
disease management and care coordination to improve patient health and more
SOURCE Humana Inc.
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http://www.humana.com
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CONTACT:
Tom Noland of Humana Corporate
Communications, +1-502-580-3674, or tnoland@humana.com
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