Humana Launches Medicare Advantage Private-Fee-For-Service Health Plans for Medicare Beneficiaries in New Mexico
Posted on: Tuesday, 12 July 2005, 15:01 CDT
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare beneficiaries in New Mexico now have an affordable alternative to traditional Medicare or supplemental health plan following the launch today of two private-fee-for- service (PFFS) health plans from Humana Inc. . Seniors who enroll in the Humana Gold Choice Basic or Humana Gold Choice Standard will have the freedom to see any physician or hospital statewide without the restrictions of a network or referral as long as the provider accepts Humana's payment terms and conditions.
In addition, the 2005 benefit package, as filed with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is available now to Medicare beneficiaries throughout New Mexico at substantially lower monthly premiums than the most common supplemental (Medigap) plans available.
This plan is a direct result of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 designed to afford the nation's 42 million Medicare beneficiaries ready access to prescription drug coverage. This plan is ideally suited for beneficiaries living throughout rural America who, up until now, may have had little if any health plan options other than traditional Medicare.
"Our plan has been designed specifically for the Medicare beneficiary who wants an alternative to the high monthly premiums associated with a Medicare supplement, or prefers to choose a provider without network restrictions found in HMOs," said George F. Smith, M.D., regional president of Senior Products for Humana in New Mexico. "Both of our private-fee-for-service health plans feature prescription drug benefits, fixed dollar co-pays for physician services and worldwide emergency and urgent care coverage. Additionally, those who join one of our plans will also be entitled to free membership in Silver Sneakers, an exercise and fitness program designed specifically for seniors, including free access to a network of fitness facilities."
"Humana's experience in serving this segment of the market enables us to offer Medicare beneficiaries the choice in health care delivery that they deserve," Dr. Smith added.
Humana, which serves approximately 7 million members nationwide, recently announced that it intends to nearly double the size of its Medicare geographic reach through its Medicare health plan product offering filed with CMS. The company will increase its Medicare operations from 25 states to 46 states in 2006. Humana intends to offer both the stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (PDP) and Medicare Advantage Health Plan with Prescription Drug Coverage (MA-PD) in addition to its current Medicare product offerings.
"As alternatives to traditional Medicare and supplemental plans, Humana's private-fee-for-service benefit options offer more than just affordability," said Dr. Smith. "Humana's industry-leading disease management programs and care-management services are empowering members to be better health care consumers. Providing information to help consumers make informed decisions is crucial to having a meaningful and successful relationship between people with Medicare and their health benefits carrier."
For more information about enrolling in a Humana Gold Choice PFFS plan, call toll-free 1-800-201-5779.
About Humana Medicare Advantage and the Humana Gold Choice PFFS
Humana Medicare Advantage (formerly known as Medicare+Choice) is available to all Medicare-eligible individuals who are over 65 years old or qualified by disability. This type of health plan is an alternative to original Medicare and is a direct result of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 passed by Congress. Unlike original Medicare, Humana Medicare Advantage plans include a prescription drug benefit, and worldwide coverage for emergency care and urgently needed care.
Humana offers Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS plans in 25 states. The Humana Gold Choice PFFS is open to all Medicare eligible beneficiaries, and differs from a traditional HMO in that members have the freedom to select any doctor, hospital, or health care provider of choice without the restrictions of a network or referral as long as the provider accepts Medicare assignment and Humana terms and conditions. More than 380,000 individuals are currently enrolled in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan.
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 press releases; - 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.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030425/HUMANALOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Humana, Inc
CONTACT: Ross McLerran, of Humana Corporate Communications,+1-210-325-9904, or rmclerran@humana.com
Web site: http://www.humana.com/
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/423125.html
Source: PRNewswire
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