Humana Expands Medicare Advantage Offerings in California

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced today an expansion of its Medicare offerings in California. Beginning on November 15, individuals eligible for Medicare in Fresno, San Bernardino and Riverside counties can enroll in a local Humana Gold Plus HMO plan – for a January 1, 2010 effective date. This expansion, approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), builds upon other Medicare plans currently available in California, and focuses on providing greater choice to meet the changing needs of senior citizens and disabled people.

“Our network includes some of the most respected hospitals and physicians in the area providing a comprehensive range of treatment and diagnostic services.”

The Humana Gold Plus HMO plans provide Medicare beneficiaries in these California counties with affordable alternatives to original Medicare or a Medicare supplement plan. Members can enjoy broad coverage, all the benefits of original Medicare and prescription drug coverage.

The annual enrollment period to sign up for the Humana Gold Plus HMO plan is November 15 through December 31, 2009. Individuals already participating in the Medicare Part D program have until March 31, 2010, to enroll in the Humana Gold Plus plan.

The plan offers members their choice of a primary care physician in the plan network, no or low monthly plan premiums, low co-payments for doctor visits and annual routine physicals, coverage for most annual screenings at no charge, and emergency coverage anywhere in the world.

“As baby boomers and those eligible for Medicare age, their insurance needs change. We’re committed to changing our Medicare product offerings to meet people where they are in their lives,” said Debra A. Smith, regional president of senior products for Humana’s West Coast and Intermountain Regions. “We’ve listened to Medicare-eligible individuals about what they want and used our experience in health benefits to give them more options that fit their health needs. The addition of these HMOs in California is another example of our commitment to provide people eligible for Medicare access to the right plan for them.”

The new Medicare HMO plan will include money-saving features, like discounts on vision and hearing care, prescriptions and complimentary and alternative medicine, as well as access to Humana’s nurse support service, HumanaFirst, and a member-assistance program to provide those with Medicare additional life support services and guidance.

Medicare-eligible people throughout California continue to have the choice of Humana’s other Medicare plans, including Humana Gold Choice, the private fee-for-service plan that offers members nationwide medical coverage, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

“The expansion of Humana’s participating hospital and physician network in California is a key to the health care options that we offer to individuals eligible for Medicare and employers seeking competitive alternatives,” said Terry M. Smith, vice president of contracting for Humana’s West Coast Region. “Our network includes some of the most respected hospitals and physicians in the area providing a comprehensive range of treatment and diagnostic services.”

Humana Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to original Medicare, not a supplement plan. For more information about enrolling in any Humana plans, visit www.humana-medicare.com or call toll-free 1-866-355-6152.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies, with approximately 10.3 million medical members and 6.8 million specialty 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 48-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