Humana Enhances 2005 Medicare Advantage Private Fee For Service Benefits In North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare eligible beneficiaries in North Carolina who enroll in the Humana Gold Choice Private Fee for Service (PFFS) plan now have even better benefits for 2005, the company announced today. Seniors who enroll in the Humana Gold Choice PFFS will have the freedom to see any provider, statewide, without a referral, who accepts Medicare payments and Humana's terms.

With monthly premiums ranging from $0 to $105, Humana Gold choice provides an affordable alternative to most Medicare supplement plans.

The Humana Gold Choice PFFS is the only Medicare Advantage plan in the state to feature prescription drug benefits (including a $100 monthly allowance for brand drugs and six month rollover of up to $600), an annual- out-of-pocket maximum, and worldwide emergency and urgent care coverage.

"Our plan has been designed specifically for the Medicare beneficiary who is on a fixed income and 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 Patrick Farley, PFFS Director, Humana MarketPOINT, North Carolina. "It features a $10 generic drug co-pay and $5 office visit co-pay to see a primary care physician and offers emergency and urgent care worldwide. Humana's experience in serving this segment of the market enables us to offer benefits choices to seniors that are very competitive," Farley added.

The Humana Gold Choice PFFS plan was first introduced into North Carolina this past September. For more information about enrolling in a Humana Gold Choice PFFS plan, call toll-free 1-866-653-7295.

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, limits on out-of-pocket expenses, and worldwide coverage for emergency care and urgently needed care.

Humana offers Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS plans in 15 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 368,000 individuals are currently enrolled in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan.

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 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 (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.

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CONTACT: Barbara Kerr of Humana Corporate Communications,+1-305-626-5736, or bkerr@humana.com

Web site: http://www.humana.com/

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