"Dr. Rifaat brings a unique combination of business acumen, clinical knowledge and industry experience that can help solidify Humana's position as an innovator and market leader in Illinois," said William Tait, corporate vice president, sales and market operations for Humana.  "As a pioneer in consumer choice health care, he also understands the power of engaging consumers in health care decisions as a means to both control cost and deliver a better health plan experience for the consumer." 

Most recently, Dr. Rifaat served as chief executive officer for Humana's Southeast Region and president of Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc.  He previously served as Humana's chief of innovation deployment and medical director for its Atlanta market.  Prior to joining Humana, he co-founded and served as vice president of sales for HealthMarket, which offered consumer driven health plans to small and mid-market companies in eight states. Earlier, as director of alternative medicine at Oxford Health Plans, he created one of the first alternative medical plans in the industry and received national recognition for its success.  He earned his M.D. at the University of Virginia, holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and was a founding member and secretary of the Consumer Driven Health Care Association.

Dr. Rifaat succeeds Julius G. Alberico, who accepted a senior leadership position with New York Life.  

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.  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 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.