National Council on Aging and Humana Cares Partner to Pilot Stanford University’s Online Chronic Disease Self-Management P

Participants in national online pilot learn proven practical skills to help better manage their conditions and benefit from interacting with others living with chronic illness

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The National Council on Aging and Humana Inc.’s (NYSE: HUM) Humana Cares national complex and chronic care management division are partnering to pilot Stanford University’s online Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP). This is the first time that the Stanford online self-management workshops have been offered as part of a chronic care management solution by a national health insurer.

One hundred Humana members throughout the United States will participate in the online workshops that focus on better managing the problems common to those suffering from any chronic condition, such as heart disease, arthritis, stroke, or diabetes.

“Stanford’s approach aligns perfectly with our goal of helping our members attain the best quality of life possible,” said Jean Bisio, Humana Cares president. “It’s a truly interactive program designed to help people be more engaged in managing their own health, and benefit from interacting with others who also live with chronic illness every day.

“In the original trial, after six months, CDSMP participants reported many significant improvements in their health, including increased energy, decreased disability, fewer hospitalizations, and better communication with their physicians,” said Bisio.

Stanford’s CDSMP has been proven through more than 20 years of development and research supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

During the six-week workshops, members are equipped with proven practical skills to help them manage their conditions over the long-term. They participate in self-management activities, including proper diet, exercise, appropriate use of medications, symptom management, and enhanced communication with their doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals.

“Harnessing the power of self -management will improve health and save money, and we thank Humana Cares for piloting this program as part of its approach to improving the health and reducing the cost of care for people with multiple chronic health conditions,” said Jay Greenberg, Sc.D, NCOA senior vice president for Social Enterprise.

”Providing members with tools that increase their confidence and get them more engaged in their own care is important,” said Greenberg.

The first of four workshops consisting of about 25 Humana Cares members is already under way, and the national pilot is expected to conclude by the end of 2012.

About Humana Cares

Humana Cares, headquartered at a 75,000-square-foot national care center in St. Petersburg, helps seniors and others living with complex and chronic health conditions overcome the barriers to better health.

Nearly 180,000 Humana members across all 50 states are already benefiting from the individualized help Humana Cares’ nurses, social workers and community health educators provide in person and by phone. The program’s goal is to improve the member’s quality of life and reduce health care costs.

Humana Cares offers a holistic approach by assisting the member in the coordination of their care and managing transitions, but also taking on broader issues, including caregiver education; home safety assessments; and nutrition and transportation concerns.

To date, Humana Cares members have experienced a 26 percent decline in hospital readmissions and a 13 percent drop in emergency room visits.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is a leading health care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong well-being.

By leveraging the strengths of its core businesses, Humana believes it can better explore opportunities for existing and emerging adjacencies in health care that can further enhance wellness opportunities for the millions of customers and consumers across the nation with whom the company has relationships.

Humana is one of Florida’s leading health care companies with more than 400,000 Medicare members in the state; more than 200,000 commercial health plan members in Florida; and is one of the state’s largest health care employers with nearly 5,400 associates statewide.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s website at 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 (including upcoming earnings conference call dates and times, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and institutional investors)
  • Corporate Governance information.

About NCOA

The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, please visit:

www.ncoa.org | www.facebook.com/NCOAging | www.twitter.com/NCOAging



CONTACT:

Humana Corporate Communications
Nancy Hanewinckel, 941-585-4763
[email protected]

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Florida  Kentucky

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Seniors  Health  Professional Services  Insurance  Consumer  Managed Care

MEDIA:

Logo
 Logo