Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced today that Humana's wholly owned subsidiary, Humana Military Healthcare Services, Inc. (HMHS), in conjunction with the Department of Defense Health Services Region 4, has received a national award in recognition of achievements in managed health care in the Gulf South United States.
The 2001 AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals - National Managed Health Care Congress (NMHCC) Partnership Award recognizes the success of HMHS and the Department of Defense in improving the quality and access to health care for more than 370,000 eligible beneficiaries in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, the Florida panhandle and the eastern third of Louisiana.
"The work of Humana Military and DoD Region 4 to develop a strong partnership has been paramount to building a successful TRICARE program for our military beneficiaries," said Dave Baker, president and CEO of HMHS. "The excellent relationship we have with the military clearly shows the benefit to overall customer satisfaction and improved access to quality care."
The award was jointly accepted by HMHS Region 4 Executive Director Jim Eason and Colonel John Carleton, Executive Director, Lead Agent Office, DoD Region 4 during ceremonies held in Atlanta on March 20th. The award nomination examined a number of specific joint initiatives and noted improved quality of care, improved access to care, extensive ongoing provider involvement in the health care delivery process, and the beneficial impact of the partnership on the TRICARE beneficiary population and their communities.
As a result of these collaborative efforts, military beneficiaries have experienced improved quality of care within their health care system, while enjoying increased access to care. Further, the cost of care -- to beneficiaries and the government -- has decreased significantly as a result of the managed health care partnership.
This is the second time HMHS has been honored to receive the AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical - NHMCC Partnership Award. HMHS's Partnership with DoD Region 3 was recognized by Astra Pharmaceutical in 1999 as improving quality and access to care for TRICARE beneficiaries in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.
As part of the award, each partner received $2,500 to donate to a worthy charity. Both Humana Military Healthcare Services and DoD Region 4 will use the award monies to support the Keesler Air Force Base Fisher House. The Fisher House provides a home away from home for families of patients receiving treatment at the Keesler Medical Center or local medical facilities. It allows families who are far from home to stay in a family environment close to patients.
Humana formed Humana Military Healthcare Services, Inc. in 1993 to concentrate on DoD opportunities like TRICARE (formerly CHAMPUS) by assembling a group of key managers who understand both health plan operations and the delivery of care to the military and its dependents. HMHS partners with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide access to health care services to approximately 1.1 million eligible military dependents in the southeastern United States (Region 3 and 4) through the administration of the TRICARE program.
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health services companies, with approximately 5.3 million medical members located primarily in 15 states and Puerto Rico. Humana offers coordinated health benefits coverage through a variety of plans -- health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations and administrative service products -- to employer groups and government-sponsored plans.
