Humana introduces health plans for seniors

Humana Inc. announced it is launching two private fee-for-service health plans for seniors in New Mexico.



Called Humana Gold Choice Basic and Humana Gold Choice Standard, the plans allow seniors to see any physician or hospital statewide as long as the provider accepts Humana's payment terms and conditions. The plan is designed for Medicare beneficiaries who want an alternative to high monthly premiums associated with a Medicare supplement or who prefer to choose a provider without network restrictions, says Dr. George F. Smith, regional president of senior products for Humana in New Mexico.



The 2005 benefit package is available to Medicare beneficiaries throughout New Mexico. The plan is a direct result of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 that was designed to give the nation's 42 million Medicare beneficiaries access to prescription drug coverage.



Humana (NYSE: HUM), which has about 7 million members nationwide, recently announced plans to double the size of its Medicare geographic reach through its Medicare health plan. The company will increase its Medicare operations from 25 states to 46 in 2006. Humana intends to offer both the stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare Advantage Health Plan with Prescription Drug Coverage in addition to its current Medicare offerings.