Humana’s Health Resources
Guides Patients in Health Decisions

Informed and motivated patients make better decisions about their health care and are more likely to follow their physicians’ advice. That’s why Humana initiated Health Resources, an array of programs to help patients become more engaged and better-educated consumers of health care.

Health Resources is a comprehensive suite of tools, information and services accessible online or by telephone. By using the assortment of clinical guidance and educational resources, patients learn why it is important to comply with treatment plans, prescription regimens and other recommendations.

Health Resources integrates a number of Humana’s resources to:

• Facilitate an understanding of wellness principles
• Identify patients’ informational needs
• Match patients with clinical programs and resources to fill those needs
• Provide fact-based education on patients’ conditions
• Inform patients of nationally accepted best practices and treatment options
• Encourage patients to discuss their choices with their physician
• Promote the physician-patient relationship

Health Resources tailored to patients’ needs

The Health Resources’ offerings range from health assessments to personal discussions with registered nurses to transplant management. Resources, interventions and online education tools can be targeted to the following types of individuals:

• the generally healthy patient with significant risk factors for developing heart disease who needs support in following the treatment plan to control his weight
• the patient with asthma who was recently hospitalized with an acute attack and needs to take medications as prescribed
• the diabetes patient who needs to work more closely with her physician to control her diabetes and stay healthier longer with fewer risks for complications

Better informed patients

Health Resources aims to augment physicians’ patient education efforts. Through information on patients’ conditions, identification of risk factors and discussions about choices and treatment options, patients come with a better understanding of their situation.

Health Resources enables patients to come to appointments better prepared, making the physician’s time with them more productive. The program keeps the lines of communication, encouragement and education open long after the appointment, giving patients guidance and support in following the physician’s instructions.

For more information, contact a Humana customer service representative at 1-800-4-HUMANA (1-800-448-6262).

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Guidance for all levels of need   Humana’s Health Resources work at any point of the health continuum.   The resources include the following:  MyHumana A password-protected, personal home page (accessible at www.humana.com) that gives members assessment tools, a health encyclopedia and information about providers, prescription drugs and their benefits.  Maximize Your Benefits Voice-activated telephone information about lower-cost medication alternatives.  Health Agents Patients can call with questions about future use of benefits. The health agents will also facilitate enrollment into the Health Resource program to meet the clinical need.  HumanaFirst 24-hour answers and information from nurses about pressing health-related questions.  Personal Nurse Registered nurses who work with patients who need help following treatment plans or who need guidance in reaching their longer term health goals.  HumanaBeginnings Registered nurses who offer education and support to mothers throughout pregnancy and the baby’s first month.    Disease Management Specialists focus on the following conditions: asthma, cancer, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), dermatomyositis, hemophilia, lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus), myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and sickle cell disease.  Case Management Assistance for patients facing a crisis or a major medical procedure (includes neonatal intensive care support).  Transplant Management Specialists who help transplant recipients to coordinate benefits, facilitate services and follow treatment plans.  Clinical Review A continually refined physician-focused process to promote the appropriate use of in-network physicians, other care providers and facilities.

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