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Humana Introduces Affordable Consumer-Focused Health Benefit Coverage to Employers in Utah

Posted on: Tuesday, 17 April 2007, 15:00 CDT

Addressing the challenges faced by employers to provide affordable health care benefits for employees, Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced today the introduction of its diverse portfolio of insurance products in Utah offering important new choices and flexibility to businesses and consumers.

A Fortune 125 company with more than 11.3 million members nationally, Humana and its health insurance plans offer lasting value for consumers at a time when fewer employers are offering health benefits. Humana offers traditional health insurance products but is known as the industry innovator in providing consumer-focused plans that provide a better health care experience for employers and members.

"We asked business owners what their key worries were with respect to health benefits for their employees, and the same concepts resurfaced again and again," said Gary Goldstein, M.D., chief executive officer of Humana's Western Region. "They want predictability, a long-term solution to rising costs and a hassle-free process. We listened. At its heart, that's what our consumer-focused products are all about."

Humana's portfolio includes a variety of product options for employers, a convenient network of hospitals and physicians, personalized online tools, disease management programs and wellness solutions priced competitively to fit within the employer's needs and comfort level.

Humana's participating provider network in Utah offers members access to the area's most respected and well known hospitals and physicians. Members have access to 29 hospitals and more than 2,750 physicians in Utah.

"We are excited about the opportunity to work with Humana in Utah," said John Hanshaw, President of MountainStar Healthcare Network, which is a member of Humana's participating provider network. "Our partnership signifies a commitment by both organizations to provide Humana members with convenient access to the quality care and complete range of services for which MountainStar Healthcare is known."

In the past two years, Humana has launched products for Medicare beneficiaries and individuals in Utah. The company has approximately 43,000 members in its Medicare Advantage private-fee-for-service plan (PFFS), Medicare Advantage preferred provider organization (PPO) and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan (PDP). Humana also offers HumanaOne individual health insurance as well as a self-insured employer (ASO) product. The company has more than 17,000 members in Utah in its dental insurance product, HumanaDental.

With this most recent launch, Humana now provides affordable PPO benefit plans for businesses of two or more employees. Humana's portfolio includes flexible traditional PPO and high deductible health plan options, along with a cutting-edge hybrid PPO product, CoverageFirst.

CoverageFirst is designed for those employers who understand the long-term benefits of a consumerism product, but are not ready to adopt high deductible plans with Health Savings Accounts. CoverageFirst offers a traditional PPO design, but with an up-front benefit allowance. This benefit allowance encourages members to become engaged in their health care, to become educated consumers, without having to manage a bank account.

"We're confident that Humana's consumer-focused tools and programs encourage behavior changes that result in cost savings for an employer in Utah, wiser health-care consumers and healthier, more productive employees," Dr. Goldstein added. "We have the expertise and experience to give small businesses and larger employers a simpler, more affordable health benefits plan."

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 11.3 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 46-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.

Source: Business Wire

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