In addition, Humana will create roughly 75 new positions to compensate for veteran customer service representatives reassigned to support the Business Health Care Group of Southeast Wisconsin (BHCGSW).  The BHCGSW is a coalition of Milwaukee-area employers that have organized to collectively purchase health insurance for their employees in a long-term strategy to reduce health care costs.  Earlier this year, the BHCGSW selected Humana to administer its health insurance program, and Humana expects to serve 95,000 health plan members by January 1, 2006, as a result of the agreement.  The BHCGSW includes many of Southeast Wisconsin's largest and best-known employers, including Briggs & Stratton, Daimler Chrysler, Harley-Davidson, Johnson Controls, Inc., Journal Communications, Manpower Inc., Marshall & Ilsley Corporation, Midwest Express Airlines, Miller Brewing Company, Rockwell Automation and Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.

"This expansion is further evidence of Humana's belief in the quality of Northeast Wisconsin's workforce," said Bruce J. Goodman, Senior Vice President and Chief Service and Information Officer.  "Responsive and caring customer service can distinguish Humana from its competition.  The people of this area, with their dedication and neighborly, helpful nature, have proven their ability to deliver on that vision and create a true service culture. We intend to make Humana's Green Bay Service Center a showplace by hosting health insurance agents and brokers from around the country so they can experience firsthand the special quality of our people."

Humana also announced changes in its local leadership team, placing Jerry Ganoni in charge of small business operations as well as HumanaDental, the company's De Pere-based dental insurance subsidiary.  As President of HumanaDental and Humana Small Business, Ganoni will oversee the majority of Humana's Green Bay area operations.  Ganoni previously served as President of HumanaDental, building the subsidiary into one of the nation's ten largest dental insurers.

"The rising cost of health care is severely impacting smaller companies, many of which struggle to continue providing health benefits to their workforce," said Ganoni.  "Humana, with its expertise in consumer choice and consumer-driven health plans, is well positioned to help small businesses locate affordable solutions and devise cost-effective health benefits strategies.  Humana's small business operation in Green Bay will continue to play an important role in the company's future."

Tod Zacharias, who previously led both Humana's small business and individual product operations, will concentrate on HumanaOne, Humana's rapidly growing line of individual health insurance plans, now covering more than 130,000 health plan members in 15 states.  As President, HumanaOne, Zacharias will focus on expanding the HumanaOne service area to include as many as 14 additional states by the end of 2006.  He will remain based in the Green Bay area, as will customer service operations for HumanaOne.

Humana is now recruiting for the new positions, seeking enthusiastic people to be ambassadors for the company.  Successful applicants will have communication skills, problem-solving ability and a post-high school education or equivalent experience.  Experience in a customer service or call center setting is also preferred.  The company asks job seekers to visit www.humana.com and complete an online application.

Humana operates from four Northeast Wisconsin locations, including its main campus in De Pere's West Business Park, its HumanaDental headquarters in downtown De Pere, plus two locations in downtown Green Bay.  The company is presently the area's fourth largest employer according to the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., 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, including more than 300,000 medical members in Wisconsin.  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 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.

Cautionary Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements. The forward- looking statements herein 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 the company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed by Humana with the Securities and Exchange Commission.