Carol Sato Named Director of Medicare Operations for Humana’s Hawaii Market

HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carol Sato has been named director of Medicare operations for Humana (NYSE:HUM) of Hawaii, in an announcement made by Debbie A. Smith, regional president of senior products for Humana’s West Coast Region that includes Hawaii.

“Carol has an impressive history in health care administration and nursing, especially in strategic planning and operations”

Sato – based at Humana’s new Honolulu office in Restaurant Row at 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 400, in Seven Waterfront Plaza – has responsibility for Humana’s day-to-day Medicare operations statewide.

Since 2006, Humana’s Medicare products in Hawaii have included a private-fee-for-service plan and stand-alone prescription drug plans. In January 2009, Humana will begin offering a Medicare Advantage preferred provider organization (PPO) plan in Hawaii.

“Carol has an impressive history in health care administration and nursing, especially in strategic planning and operations,” said Smith. “I’m confident Carol’s strong background will help build on Humana’s personalized approach to Medicare and that she will truly be an advocate for guidance and service to our members in Hawaii.”

A registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, Sato was previously employed by Kaiser Foundation Health Plan in Hawaii as director of benefits administration from 2006 to 2008 and as director of product development from 1995 to 2006. From 1976 to 1995, she served in a variety of supervisory and nursing positions with Kaiser Permanente of Hawaii in Moanalua and on Maui. Sato can be reached at [e-mail].

People who choose Humana Medicare plans choose a company that has in-depth knowledge and experience with Medicare coverage options. Humana’s Medicare products are available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Products include Medicare Advantage plans that integrate medical and prescription drug coverage for coordinated care, stand-alone prescription drug plans, special needs plans and Medigap offerings.

For more information about Humana’s Medicare products, please visit www.humana-medicare.com.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies, with approximately 11.7 million medical members. Humana is a full-service benefits solutions company, offering a wide array of health and supplementary benefit plans for employer groups, government programs and individuals.

Over its 47-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 reports to stockholders;
• Securities and Exchange Commission filings;
• Most recent investor conference presentations;
• Quarterly earnings news releases;
• Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls;
• Calendar of events (includes upcoming earnings conference call dates and times, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and institutional investors);
• Corporate Governance Information.