WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Humana Inc. , one of the nation’s largest health benefits companies, will demonstrate at this week’s World Health Care Congress proprietary technologies that are providing consumers with a better health plan experience and engaging them in the proactive management of their health.
“Humana’s industry-leading efforts to engage consumers and rein in runaway health costs are showcased through our Innovation Center display at this week’s World Health Care Congress,” said Jack Lord, M.D., the company’s chief innovation officer and head of the Innovation Center. “Enhancing consumerism and improving the experience members have with Humana are the cornerstones of our work to reshape health benefits. Through Humana’s Innovation Center, we are developing products and services that provide guidance to our members so they can make smart decisions on which benefits they should choose, how best to access health services when needed and ways in which they can achieve and maintain their optimal level of health.”
At Humana’s Innovation Center booth (#606), World Health Care Congress attendees will have a chance to test-drive Humana’s Health Plan Wizard, a Web- based program that gives consumers the tools they need to make an educated decision about the health benefits plan that is right for them and their families. The Wizard asks enrollees about their health care and budget needs, and then uses this information to display Humana health plan options based on enrollees’ responses. This interactive tool gives members the ability to more thoroughly evaluate their needs and more confidently “choose and use” an appropriate benefits plan.
In addition to Plan Wizard, Humana will highlight its clinical insight tool, which provides employers the knowledge they need to manage their health costs on a daily basis. The tool also is a means by which Humana can identify the “pre-sick” in an employee population and provide one-on-one guidance, often through the company’s unique Personal Nurse program, to avert the need for care episodes involving hospitalization.
“Our work in predictive modeling and providing members with information that evaluates the likelihood of certain health outcomes is having a positive impact on our members’ ability to maintain their best level of health,” Lord said. “What’s interesting about our program is that opt-in members, particularly those with chronic conditions, are partnered with Personal Nurses. In concert with the members’ physicians, Humana’s Personal Nurses and members develop game plans that maintain compliance with treatment protocols and strive to eliminate avoidable negative outcomes that result when treatment plans aren’t followed.”
Humana’s success in lowering health cost increases for employers and consumers is evidenced by its innovative family of consumer-choice “Smart” products. In data announced this week, the average annualized claims cost increase for Smart customers is 4.6 percent, well under half the national health care inflation rate. The Smart product claims increase has been in the mid-single digits consistently since Smart products were launched four years ago. Membership has grown steadily and now stands at 258,000.
About the 2005 World Health Care Congress
The World Health Care Congress is the first focused and inclusive conference to determine and implement solutions for an improved U.S. health care system, focusing on the needs of the nation’s largest employers.
The World Health Care Congress will convene the major constituencies in health care including: leading health care purchasers, payers, providers, suppliers, analysts and governmental officials. Delegates will determine actionable goals and feasible implementation strategies for a new healthcare model that is based on value, quality and consumer choice. For more information visit http://www.worldcongress.com/ .
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.
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CONTACT: Tom Noland of Humana Corporate Communications, +1-502-580-3674,or tnoland@humana.com
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