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New West Physicians Signs Network Agreement with Humana

^{Published on 2009-12-21 12:05:11 - Market Wire}
 

DENVER--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--New West Physicians, a primary care group practice in the metro Denver area serving more than 250,000 patients, will now provide health care services to individuals and families enrolled in a commercial health plan with Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), under terms of a long-term agreement announced today.

"Increasing physician and clinic locations helps our members benefit from the convenience of establishing an ongoing relationship with a physician closer to home. We are excited about this relationship with New West Physicians, and to have such respected physicians available to our members."

Under the new contract, effective immediately, members of Humana's commercial products will have in-network benefit access to New West Physicians' 13 office locations and full staff of medical professionals, including 49 physicians and 12 nurse practitioners and physician's assistants.

"Humana continues to fulfill our commitment to provide Humana members and employers in the Denver metro business community with a wide array of ways to access health care," said Dan Oftedahl, president of Humana of Colorado. "Increasing physician and clinic locations helps our members benefit from the convenience of establishing an ongoing relationship with a physician closer to home. We are excited about this relationship with New West Physicians, and to have such respected physicians available to our members."

Humana serves approximately 110,000 members in Colorado. The new contract with New West Physicians covers Humana commercial health plan members, and does not include Humana Medicare Advantage members.

Besides traditional health benefit products such as preferred provider organizations (PPO), self-insured plans (ASO) and Medicare Advantage products, Humana also offers consumer-driven health plans, individual health products and dental, vision, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance.

"Our contract with Humana will further enable families and individuals in our community to access and benefit from our expert physicians and services," said Ruth Benton, chief executive officer of New West Physicians. "We look forward to welcoming Humana members as they take advantage of New West Physicians' many locations around the greater Denver area."

For more information, visit [ www.nwphysicians.com ] or call 303.716.8059.

About New West Physicians

New West Physicians is a primary care physician group and medical management company serving more than 250,000 patients at 13 Denver-area offices. New West's internal medicine and family medicine professionals strive to be our patients' medical home, coordinating care and working with each person and family to help create and maintain long-term healthy lifestyles. New West regularly conducts its own internal research to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality care reflecting the best and most current evidence-based medicine. For additional information and office locations, please visit [ www.nwphysicians.com ].

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 approximately 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