Humana Settles Physicians' Class Action

19 October 2005

Humana and representatives of hundreds of
thousands of physicians, state and local medical societies announced today
that they have agreed to settle the national class action lawsuit pending in
the federal court for the Southern District of Florida before U.S. District
Judge Federico Moreno. The preliminary approval hearing will take place
Wednesday October 19 in Miami, FL.

Similar to earlier settlements with Aetna, Cigna, Prudential and
HealthNet, approval of this settlement will provide a mechanism by which
physicians can obtain compensation in connection with the claims brought in
the lawsuits. Humana will establish a settlement fund from which physicians
can seek compensation.

"Humana should be commended for joining the growing list of health
insurance companies that have settled with the nation's physicians. As in
previous settlements, the agreed upon landmark business practice changes will
result in a more efficient health care system for all concerned and redirect
precious resources to the care of patients.

Thousands of physicians and their
professional associations and representatives have worked long and hard for
this agreement. We look forward to final judicial approval and implementation
of this agreement," noted lead co-counsel for the physicians, Archie Lamb.
Humana shall be required to implement important changes to its business
practices which will result in significant savings to physicians in overhead
costs and time spent contesting claims. The expected final judicial approval
of the settlement agreement shall extinguish liability for lawsuits filed
against Humana over the last decade by physicians and physician groups.

"Although we, of course, believe that the business practices changes
required by the settlement agreement will far exceed the $75 million estimate
noted by Humana, what is truly important is the implementation of the changes
and the benefit in time and energy savings to physicians as they seek to
improve and save the lives of millions of Americans," concluded Lamb.
Mr. Lamb will be available in Miami, FL for interviews this week. To
schedule an interview, please contact Advocacy Ink at 703-548-1160.