Contract expands relationship to include HMO plans

Aurora Health Care and Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced today the signing of a 15-year contract under which Aurora will provide health care services to individuals and families participating in Humana preferred provider organization (PPO) and health maintenance organization (HMO) health insurance plans.

The new contract marks Aurora’s return to the Humana Premier HMO network of health care providers and continues Aurora’s participation in Humana’s national PPO network, called the ChoiceCare Network.  Aurora has not participated in Humana’s Premier HMO network since 2000.

The agreement, which replaces an earlier contract between the companies, covers all Aurora physicians, services and facilities, including 3,400 affiliated physicians, 13 hospitals and more than 100 clinics throughout Wisconsin. 

“This agreement will benefit patients and the communities we serve,” said Donald J. Nestor, executive vice president of Aurora Health Care.  “Humana members will have broad access to the many services we offer, and the long-term contract will ensure continuity of care for patients.”

Larry Rambo, chief executive officer of Humana for Wisconsin and Michigan, said:  “As one of Wisconsin’s premier health systems, Aurora Health Care provides a comprehensive range of services that we are proud to offer to our members. Not only does this agreement give Humana members an even broader choice of participating hospitals, physicians and other health care professionals, it also provides the stability of a long-term relationship.”

In Wisconsin, approximately 80,000 health plan members use Humana’s Premier HMO network and more than 200,000 use Humana’s PPO network.  The agreement, between Aurora Health Care and two subsidiaries of Humana Inc. – Humana Insurance Co. and Humana Wisconsin Health Organization Insurance Corp. – was effective January 1, 2005. 

About Aurora Health Care
Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider and a nationally recognized leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care.  Aurora offers care at sites in more than 80 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.

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 (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.