Humana Adds New Plan Option, Enhanced Pharmacy Benefits For 2005 Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service Offering In DuPage County

CHICAGO, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Humana Inc. announced today that it has filed its 2005 Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service (PFFS) benefit package for DuPage County with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The 2005 benefit package will be effective Jan. 1 and available to Medicare eligible residents of DuPage County, pending CMS approval.

Humana’s 2005 Medicare Advantage PFFS plan features several enhancements over the current offering, including the addition of a second plan option, called Humana Gold Choice Basic, that features a $49 monthly premium, unlimited generic drug benefits with a $12 co-pay, $5 primary care physician co-pay, and $25 specialist co-pay. The original Humana Gold Choice PFFS plan carries a $119 monthly premium and features a 4-tier pharmacy benefit that includes coverage of name brand prescription drugs. Both plans offer the Medicare drug discount card and free access to the SilverSneakers(R) Fitness Program.

“Our private fee-for-service offering is ideally suited for seniors seeking an affordable alternative to traditional Medicare, or for those who want the flexibility of seeing the doctor of their choice without a referral. Members can receive medical care either in or out-of-network, as long as providers accept Medicare assignment and Humana’s terms and conditions,” said Rob Hitchcock, Humana regional vice president for Senior Products.

Humana has offered the PFFS plan in DuPage County since 2001, when it was first introduced as a start-up demonstration model for CMS. Currently, Humana has nearly 2,000 Medicare Advantage PFFS members in DuPage County.

Humana Medicare Advantage is an alternative to traditional Medicare, not a supplement. For more information about enrolling in Humana Gold Choice PFFS plans, call toll-free 1-800-201-5779, or via TDD for the hearing impaired at 1-877-833-4486.

Humana is one of Illinois’ leading health benefits providers with more than 600,000 health plan members statewide. In addition to Humana’s Medicare Advantage PFFS plan, Humana offers Medicare Advantage HMO plans in Cook, Kane and Kendall counties.

About Humana Medicare Advantage

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. Unlike traditional Medicare, Humana Medicare Advantage includes a prescription drug benefit, limits on out-of-pocket expenses, unlimited, medically-necessary inpatient hospital stays and worldwide coverage for emergency care and urgently needed care. More than 368,000 individuals are currently enrolled in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan.

About Humana Inc.

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 43-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: Mark Mathis, Corporate Communications of Humana Inc.,+1-920-337-5354, or cell, +1-920-265-7083, or mmathis@humana.com