Humana partners with high-tech companies to provide solutions for physicians
with Y2K problems

New initiative reinforces Humana as a leader of innovative technology in the health insurance industry

LOUISVILLE, KY — January 4, 2000 — After being recognized by PC Week magazine as one of the nation’s top 30 Web innovators, Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) reinforced its commitment to leading the health insurance industry with top-tier information technology. The company has lined up several web-enabled options for physicians to ensure access to Humana during the transition into the Year 2000 if their systems have Y2K related trouble. The alternatives, a result of recent Humana strategic partnering, include:

• ZirMed.com, for Internet browser-based claims filing capabilities;
• TriZetto, for Y2K readiness assessments, Y2K remediation (including software upgrades if needed), software hosting, and attractive financial arrangements for all services; and
• Dell Computer Corp., for turnkey computer system solutions

Humana’s commitment to building the foundation of a successful e-business includes the use of technologies that help providers transition into the year 2000 with minimal disruption to their practice, patients and Humana members.

"We are collaborating with leading vendors to give our physician partners an alternative to communicate with Humana electronically in the event they have failures in their electronic transactions," said Bruce J. Goodman, Humana’s senior vice president and chief information officer.

ZirMed.com provides Internet claims submission alternatives

A new partnership with ZirMed.com will provide physicians multiple choices when filing insurance claims with Humana electronically during the transition into the Year 2000. ZirMed.com is one of the first Internet technology companies in the nation to offer health care providers the technology to enter and file medical claims data directly on the Internet. ZirMed.com’s master software technology eliminates the need for purchasing, installing and updating expensive software and systems. Because ZirMed.com’s process (patent pending) is Internet browser-based, physicians in the Humana network can use it with a computer and Internet access, regardless of the type of computer or browser used.

"ZirMed.com’s innovative technology reduces administration costs associated with the current reimbursement system," said Kenneth H. Dicken, ZirMed.com’s president and chief executive officer. "We consider our service an Internet bridge that connects physicians and health plans. It saves time and money for both parties, and ultimately, for patients."

"Humana recognizes that Web-based applications are the future of health care management, a fact supported by their recent ranking by PC Week as a top 30 Web innovator," Dicken said. "By recommending ZirMed.com to physicians as an alternative during the transition into the Year 2000, Humana is once again taking a leadership role in health care technology."

TriZetto to provide a suite of services

The TriZetto® Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: TZIX), a leading provider of application services and business portals for the health care industry, will provide Humana affiliated physicians and employers nationwide alternative application services and connectivity support. Physician practices that experience Y2K problems affecting their ability to conduct their business, including submission of claims, can contact TriZetto to assess their exposure and receive support, including conversion to Y2K-compliant systems and applications.

"TriZetto is a company with a great depth of healthcare knowledge and experience," said Gail Knopf, TriZetto’s vice president of e-commerce. "Our ability to rapidly solve problems and provide application and network connectivity solutions to physicians to ensure business continuity will be very valuable during this Y2K period."

Standard computer configurations and support from Dell

Humana has chosen Dell OptiPlex corporate desktops as its standard for its physician partners. To support Humana’s new Web-based business initiative, Dell created a Premier Pages^sm Service Web site for Humana physicians to efficiently purchase turnkey solutions that include Dell personal computers, pre-installed software, and optional services.

Dell Premier Pages are customized, password-protected Web sites that Dell creates for business and institutional customers. More than 35,000 customer-specific Premier Pages are currently hosted through Dell’s Web site at www.dell.com.

"As Humana looks to the future, we intend to continually enable the delivery of high-quality services to our physicians in ways that are innovative, convenient, and provide exceptional value," Goodman said. "Dell’s Premier Pages Service provides the access, connectivity, and convenience so important to our physician partners."

ZirMed.com is one of the first application service providers (ASP) in the nation to offer real-time, interactive technology enabling physicians to enter and file medical claims data directly on the Internet. The company was established in January 1999. Located in Louisville, Ky., ZirMed.com can be reached at (877) 494-7633 or http://www.zirmed.com.

The TriZetto^SM Group, Inc. is a leading provider of Internet-enabled application services and business portals for the healthcare industry. As a vertical application services provider for the healthcare industry, TriZetto hosts and provides access to leading business and Internet applications. HealthWeb®, its Internet portal, facilitates information-exchange and e-commerce among all key healthcare participants: providers, health plans, employers, and consumers. Headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., TriZetto can be reached at (949) 719-2200, http://www.trizetto.com or www.healthweb.net.

Ranked No. 78 among the Fortune 500 companies and No. 210 in the Fortune Global 500, Dell Computer Corporation is the world’s leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $23.6 billion for the past four quarters. Dell designs, manufactures, and customizes products and services to customer requirements and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number 1-800-388-8542 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web site at www.dell.com.

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded managed health care companies with approximately 6 million medical members located primarily in 15 states and Puerto Rico. Humana offers coordinated health care through a variety of plans — health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, point-of-service plans, and administrative service products — to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals. More information about Humana is available at http://www.humana.com.