| Humana | The Humana Bldg., 500 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202 |
| www.humana.com | (502) 580-1000 Fax: (502) 580-4188 |
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Humana's health care plans cover nearly five million members subscribing to health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider plans, point of service plans, and exclusive provider plans. With more than 40,000 hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers under contract, Humana is the third-largest HMO in the nation. Founded in 1961, Humana was the second-largest for-profit hospital operator during the late 1970s, but the company eventually opted to sell its hospitals and focus on its burgeoning health insurance business. The company has also distinguished itself as a steady contributor to the civic and community life of its native state of Kentucky.
As an HMO, Humana receives small monthly fees, usually through its members' employers, and small co-payments when members seek medical services. Humana recently acquired Employers Health Insurance, the country's 10th-largest commercial group health insurer, which provides insurance and health benefits to small businesses. The company also won a contract from the Department of Defense to insure over one million military personnel.
But all isn't exactly rosy for Humana. A class-action suit from Tampa, Florida charges that on multiple occasions, Humana misrepresented the quality of its individual plans to customers. Another class-action lawsuit in Nevada accuses Humana of receiving special discounts and not passing them on to its customers. Despite complaints, Humana is continuing its pattern of growth, planning to move its business northeast to offer HMOs to Medicare patients in New York and northern New Jersey.
Patients haven't been the only ones complaining about HMOs. Florida's Broward County Medical Association sued Humana in 2000 on behalf of its members who complained due to a routine and unfair decline in payment. The doctors claim their suit is to protect the practice of medicine and the availibility of the proper procedures to their patients. Humana refused to comment.
Also in 2000, Humana agreed to pay the U.S. government $14.5 million for "accidentally" double-billing the government for eight years.
All for naught
During the summer of 1998 the biggest news for both employees and investors of Humana Inc. was the merger planned with Minneapolis-based United Health Corporation, that would have turned the combination into one of the largest health maintenance organizations in the country. In August 1998 United took a $900 million dollar loss before the purchase and decided to scrap the merger.
When it rains...
Amid flagging earnings, lawsuits, and bad PR, Humana CEO Gregory H. Wolf resigned in August 1999. Humana officials declined to comment as to whether the resignation was voluntary or otherwise. David A. Jones, the company's founder and chairman, served as chief executive until Michael McCallister stepped in to fill the role. In an effort to arrest the financial downward spiral the company was experiencing, Humana announced it would sell off its non-core elements, which included several Medicaid businesses.
From the examining table to the web site
In 1999 Humana was named to PC Week magazine's 3rd Annual Fast-Track list of the top e-business technology companies. Eligibility, benefits questions, and claims status issues are directed to the web site, where the company is hoping transactions grow to 30 percent of the total by the end of 2001.
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Humana advertises job openings in newspapers, trade magazines, and participates in job fairs in several cities. It also posts listings for its corporate headquarters on the company web site, located at www.humana.com/jobs.html. Each year, the company hires hundreds of new employees for this Louisville, KY office. Applicants can send their resumes via either regular mail or fax, but should consult the web page for the appropriate address and/or fax number. Humana headquarters has three different human resource divisions; the web page provides information on each. In addition, Humana's Employers Health Insurance maintains a separate recruitment site at www.employershealth.humana.com/jobs.htm. Most of the Employers Health positions are in either Green Bay or Madison, WI.
Employees say "a second language is always an asset," and especially encourage Spanish speakers to apply. If you have a contact at the company, it's a good idea to have them refer you to HR instead of applying blind. Insiders say referrals are "usually the ones with the highest priority" and reveal that Humana also relies heavily on campus recruiting and job fairs. Expect interviews to last anywhere from two to four hours. In general, candidates meet with Human Resources and move on to interview with individuals from the specific department to which they are applying. If hired, you'll be required to undergo drug and tuberculosis testing.
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There have been recent "shake-ups" in Humana's top management, and some employees describe the company as being in a "state of flux." However, employees are optimistic about the company's future; they point to Humana's success within "each new market it enters" and to a new "online service" that will "improve interoffice communication dramatically." While the relationship between middle and lower management has been "rocky" in the past, this situation, too, is "being addressed." Humana employees rave about their "resilient and talented" colleagues, and "young, aggressive" upper management. "The team atmosphere is what we strive for," beams one insider.
Though each Humana office differs, employees remark that the corporate environment has a "relaxed atmosphere" in which "the customer should - and does - come first." In general, the tech services departments tend to be relatively "laid back," while in others, "things can get political." Posted office hours are 8 to 5, though some insiders report working "fairly long" days. As one employee explained, "the managed care industry is very competitive, and the company expects a lot out of its people." Some departments have flex-time options - for example, in the IS department in Louisville KY, employees can work nine hours a day for nine days with every other Friday off. Working mothers often take advantage of part-time options, or telecommute three to four days a week. Management-level employees wear a suit and tie, with casual day on Friday.
Employees say they are happy about their benefits, which include inexpensive health and dental insurance, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement. Employees describe the Louisville, KY headquarters, as "a bit strict" - there's a "great deal of policy and procedure that must be maintained. We are the keepers of the secrets, if you will; so people tend to hold down on the party thing." Humana employees may not do a lot of partying, but they do enjoy "very nice facilities," complete with a private fitness center.
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Human Resources
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Health insurance;Military healthcare;Medicare and medicaid supplements
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Aetna/US Healthcare;CIGNA;Columbia/HCA Healthcare;Kaiser Permanente;Oxford Health Plans;United Healthcare
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