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Humana offers
SilverSneakers® Fitness Program memberships to Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan members; Program provides free fitness center
memberships to more than 2 million Humana PDP members
7/5/2006
Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) will offer a special free membership in the
award-winning SilverSneakers® Fitness Program between now and Dec.
31, 2006 to its approximately 2.6 million Medicare Prescription Drug
Plan enrollees across the country.
Humana provides a specially designed exercise program and free fitness
center memberships to nearly all of its Medicare Advantage members in
46 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. through the SilverSneakers
Fitness Program, the nation's leading exercise program designed
exclusively for older adults.
Medicare beneficiaries who have enrolled in Humana's new Medicare Part
D benefit's stand-alone prescription drug plans for 2006-07 are now
eligible for the same membership in SilverSneakers through the end of
this year.
The special SilverSneakers membership will be available to Humana
Medicare stand-alone PDP members in every state except for Alaska,
California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C.
Medicare-eligible individuals - those 65 and older or qualified by
disability - can enroll in the SilverSneakers Fitness Program at no
charge beyond their monthly insurance premium.
The free basic fitness center membership includes use of exercise
equipment, classes and amenities, such as swimming pools, hot tubs and
saunas. The SilverSneakers membership also includes a free low-impact
aerobic group exercise class designed specifically for seniors.
"We're pleased we can offer this value-added service to our Medicare
PDP members," said Steve Brueckner, Humana vice president for senior
products. "From Humana's perspective as one of the nation's leading
Medicare providers, SilverSneakers is a winning proposition because it
provides our Medicare members with an added benefit that can enhance
their health and well-being."
"The long-term health benefits of regular exercise for senior adults
are compelling," said Mary Swanson, founder, president and CEO of Axia
Health Management, the Arizona-based company that designed and manages
the SilverSneakers program. "In addition to helping seniors stay
physically healthy, SilverSneakers also offers a great way for them to
socialize, meet new friends and have fun."
In fact, a leading health care actuarial firm found that older adults
who exercise less than once a week have 8 percent higher medical costs
than those who exercise regularly. Other studies show that 51 percent
of adults 65 to 74 years of age, and 65 percent of adults over age 75
get no leisure-time physical activity.
By contrast, 80 percent of all SilverSneakers members say their health has improved since joining the fitness program.
About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the
nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with 9.3
million medical members. 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 45-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 news releases;
-- Replays 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.
About SilverSneakers
The SilverSneakers Fitness Program is managed by Arizona-based Axia
Health Management, a leading national provider of preventive health
programs, which help individuals make lifestyle changes to improve
their health and reduce the risk of disability and disease.
More than 200,000 Humana Medicare members in 46 states are currently
enrolled in the SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The program includes a
network of 1,700 fitness centers.
More information on SilverSneakers is available at the program's Web site at www.silversneakers.com.
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