Medicare Modernization Act Promises Significant Enhancements in Health Plan Coverage Options for Medicare Beneficiaries in 2006

Medicare Modernization Act Promises Significant Enhancements in
Health Plan Coverage Options for Medicare Beneficiaries in 2006
Beneficiaries in Texas will have access to health plans that feature
prescription drug benefits and low out-of-pockets, alternative to Medicare
supplement 


SAN ANTONIO, July 19  /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare beneficiaries in rural America
will soon have more than one option for health care coverage thanks to the
passing of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) in 2003.  Up until recently,
Medicare beneficiaries in Texas had little, if any, health care insurance
options other that traditional Medicare or Medicare supplemental insurance
(MediGap policies).

Beginning January 1, 2006, the more than 2.5 million Medicare beneficiaries of
Texas -- Medicare Advantage's recently established Region #17 -- will have
access to a new type of Medicare health plan known as regional preferred
provider organizations (PPOs).  Regional PPOs differ from an HMO in that there
is no referral necessary to see a physician or specialist of choice.  These
plans also differs from traditional Medicare in that they feature a
prescription drug benefit, and are designed specifically by The Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries living in
all areas of the country have ready access to affordable, comprehensive health
care -- especially those who live in underserved rural areas.

"Humana intends to offer a Medicare Advantage regional PPO in up to 14 of the
nation's 26 regions," said Steve Brueckner, Humana vice president, Senior
Products.  "We applaud Congress for taking this historical step forward to
modernize the Medicare program, and we are taking action to make healthcare
coverage more affordable and accessible by expanding our Medicare Advantage
product offering into regions such as Texas.  The MMA has enabled Humana to
reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries and enhance benefits,
particularly the prescription drug benefit which previously may not have been
available to many beneficiaries living in rural areas."

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;
   - 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.


DATASOURCE: Humana Inc.



CONTACT:  Ross McLerran of Humana Corporate Communications,

[phone], or  



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



Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/423125.html 

Copyright