Humana announced earlier this month that it intends to nearly double the size of its Medicare geographic reach through its Medicare health plan product offerings, increasing its Medicare operations from the current total of 25 states to 46 states in 2006.  Many of the new positions the company is creating in Louisville relate specifically to Humana's Medicare expansion plans.

The new positions are primarily in customer service, information technology and sales and support roles, as well as in the company's clinical and human resources areas.

Humana hopes to fill some of the new positions with people who are eligible for Medicare, as these individuals bring experiences that make them uniquely qualified to serve the company’s Medicare members.

Humana decided to locate these new positions in Louisville for several reasons, according to Bonnie Hathcock, the company's senior vice president and chief human resources officer.

"Two things in particular stood out for us: the quality of the Louisville-area work force and the quality of life here," she said. "We're confident that we will find the right people for these new positions.  Also, our associates here like living in Louisville, Southern Indiana and the surrounding counties.  The quality of life is excellent.  We're excited about everything going on downtown, with our expanding park system, the public school system, and the commitment from local government leaders to environmental issues. Taken together, the decision to locate these jobs in Louisville makes good sense for Humana."

Recently recognized as one of the Top 20 "Best Places to Work in Kentucky" (large-employer division), Humana will offer comprehensive, competitive salary and benefits packages for the new positions. The company asks potential applicants to visit www.humana.com to complete an online application.

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 7 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 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 website at www.humana.com, including copies of:

• Annual report to stockholders;
• Securities and Exchange Commission filings;
• Most recent investor conference presentation;
• Quarterly earnings press releases;
• 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.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements may be significantly impacted by certain risks and uncertainties described in Humana's Form 10-K  for the year ended December 31, 2004, and its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.