Humana's Your Practice

Humana Focuses on Well-Being for Medicare Members

Dear Physician and Office Staff:

You will find a number of Medicare-related stories in this quarter's issue of Humana's YourPractice. Depending on where you practice, you might see stories about Meals On Wheels, home infusion drugs and our Active Outlook program, available to Medicare members.

The amount of coverage devoted to Medicare topics in this magazine reflects Humana's commitment to its Medicare members. Humana now represents about 4.5 million Medicare beneficiaries from all around the country, as well as Puerto Rico.

Our Medicare plans have proven popular for two reasons. The first is value. We offer the lowest defined standard prescription drug plan premiums in 38 of 50 states and are second-lowest in 10 states and in the District of Columbia. The second reason is our philosophy. We approach Medicare as more than just insurance. That is why we have created plans that focus as much on well-being as illness.

Let me give you a few examples of what I am talking about.

The SilverSneakers^® program provides eligible Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement members with basic membership to a health club at no additional cost, including conditioning classes, strength tools, pools, steam or sauna rooms, etc. SilverSneakers is available at 8,000 fitness centers across the country. There is even an alternative program for those without health club access.
Since cognitive health is as important as physical health, Humana offers a computer-based training program of exercises to help members improve memory, clarity, focus, accuracy and listening skills. The Posit Science Brain Fitness Program is free for Humana Medicare Advantage plan members and is available at a reduced cost for Humana Prescription Drug plan members.
Don't forget about nutrition. Last year, Humana and the Meals On Wheels Association of America Foundation (MOWAA) combined to deliver more than 38,000 nutritious meals to members who had recently been discharged from a hospital or skilled nursing facility. We are more than tripling the program's reach this year from four markets to 13 markets.
Also this year, Humana will cover home infusion drugs during the coverage gap for certain Medicare Advantage plan members. Eligible members will pay the same copayments/coinsurance that they would have paid before reaching the gap, based on the drug's tier assignment.

Look for Humana's sponsorship of wellness programs, such as those focused on bone, heart and joint health, and look for growing interest in our value-added services focused on body, mind and spirit. Eligibility for these programs varies according to plan design and geography.

We know that by offering these value-added services we can decrease our Medicare members' health care costs through nutrition, exercise, etc. But more importantly, we believe these programs will help them to live happier, healthier lives.

Sincerely,