Humana expands Medicare Advantage HMO into Northeastern Cook County

Humana Gold Plus health plans feature $0 premium option, rich drug benefit option, free fitness program membership

CHICAGO, IL - Mar 1, 2005 - Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced today that it has re-entered Northeastern Cook County with its Medicare Advantage HMO, called Humana Gold Plus, having received approval to do so from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Beginning April 1, 2005, people eligible for Medicare in 20 suburban Cook County cities north of Chicago, including Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Skokie, Wheeling, Wilmette, and Winnetka, will be able to enroll in Humana's Medicare Advantage HMO, featuring a $0 premium option, prescription drug benefits, free access to the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program and annual diagnostic screenings. Three versions of Humana Gold Plus are available, with premiums ranging from $0 to $179 per month.

"We are very pleased to be able to bring this plan back to Northeastern Cook County," said Rob Hitchcock, Humana regional president for senior products, based in Chicago. "Our re-entry into this service area reflects Humana's commitment to both the Medicare Advantage program and the delivery of easily accessible, affordable health care to those eligible for Medicare."

In January 2003, Humana Health Plan Inc. reduced its service area in Cook County, citing declining federal reimbursements, which left the company unable to offer a viable network of physicians and other health care providers.

"We are pleased that reimbursements have stabilized to the point where they provide enough funding to allow Humana to build a strong, directly-contracted network of physicians and health care providers that ensures a wide range of health care options for members of our plans," Hitchcock added.

Humana has approximately 38,000 Medicare Advantage members in Cook, DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties, including more than 2,000 members in the Humana Gold Choice private fee-for-service plan (PFFS), first introduced in DuPage County in 2001 as a start-up demonstration model for CMS.

About Humana Medicare Advantage

Humana Medicare Advantage is available to all Medicare-eligible individuals who are over 65 years old or qualified by disability. An alternative to 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. More than 427,000 individuals are currently enrolled in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan.

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