Texsan Heart Hospital Expands Network Agreement with Humana Humana Medicare Advantage Members Now Have In-Network Access at Texsan

SAN ANTONIO, Nov 04, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Texsan Heart Hospital, a licensed acute-care facility with a primary focus on providing cardiovascular care to South Texas residents, will now provide in-network medical care to all commercial and Medicare Advantage members enrolled with Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) under terms of a long-term expanded agreement announced today.

Under the new contract, Humana members will have in-network access to all inpatient, outpatient and emergency services provided by the hospital, located at 6700 IH-10 West. Texsan was previously only contracted for services to Humana's commercial members.

"We look forward to working with Humana in providing our services to their Medicare Advantage members," said Craig Desmond, president and chief executive officer of Texsan Heart Hospital. "This agreement gives many retirees in our community additional plan options to access comprehensive, cost-effective and patient-focused cardiovascular care services." Texsan Heart Hospital, which opened in January 2004, performs more heart surgeries than any other hospital in the area. The hospital is the recipient of the 2010 HealthGrades award for Cardiac Care Clinical Excellence, placing it in the top 10 percent of the nation for heart care. It was also named one of the leading hospitals in America by Consumers' Checkbook survey, as reported in the May/June 2009 issue of AARP The Magazine.

Texsan Heart Hospital is a 190,000 square-foot facility featuring four operating suites, four cardiac catheterization labs, a 10-bed day patient area and a cardiovascular emergency department.

"We are proud to add Texsan Heart Hospital as an important new addition to Humana's network of hospitals and health care providers for our Medicare Advantage members," said George Smith, M.D., president of senior products for Humana in Texas. "This new hospital relationship not only enhances our network of hospitals, but also provides Humana's members with even greater access and options for quality health care in South Texas." Humana Medicare Advantage is an alternative to original Medicare, not a supplement plan. For more information about enrolling in any Humana Medicare plan, or the upcoming Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 Medicare enrollment period, visit www.humana-medicare.com or call toll-free 1-866-355-6152.

About Texsan Heart Hospital Texsan Heart Hospital resulted from the efforts of local physicians to create the finest facility in San Antonio for cardiovascular care. The hospital is partially owned by its parent company MedCath, which is based in North Carolina, and local physicians. It is a facility designed by the physicians who practice here to help make patients and their families as comfortable as possible, while providing caregivers with the tools they need to provide outstanding care.

About Humana Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health and specialty benefits companies, with approximately 10.3 million medical members and 7.3 million specialty-benefit members. Humana is a full-service benefits solutions company, offering a wide array of health and specialty benefit plans for employer groups, government programs and individuals.

Over its 48-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 reports to stockholders -- Securities and Exchange Commission filings -- Most recent investor conference presentations -- Quarterly earnings news releases -- Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls -- Calendar of events (includes upcoming earnings conference call dates and times, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and institutional investors) -- Corporate Governance Information SOURCE: Humana Inc.

CONTACT: Humana Corporate Communications Ross McLerran, 210-617-1771 [e-mail] or Texsan Heart Hospital Wayne Kip, 210-736-8003 Vice President of Business Development [e-mail] Copyright Business Wire 2009 -0- KEYWORD: United States

North America

Texas INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Health

Cardiology

Hospitals

Professional Services

Insurance SUBJECT CODE: Contract/Agreement