CHICAGO, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com Analyst
Blog features: Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), Intel
Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:
WMT), Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) and Unitedhealth Group,
Inc. (NYSE: UNH).
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Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:
Humana Unveils Long-Term Policy
Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) has launched a new and affordable
long-term care insurance offering - HumanaOne Independent Care
plan, which has the flexibility to ensure that individuals can pay
for care from any resource they need in the case of chronic
illness.
Humana has launched this plan in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, North
Carolina, South Carolina
and Tennessee with the motive to
make health choices available for individuals and to remove the
health-related expense pressure.
The HumanaOne Plan helps individuals to plan for their own
needs, as about 70% of U.S. people after the age of 65 need health
care assistance at home or in a facility. So this plan will help in
providing the freedom to choose who and how you pay for the
assistance.
Humana, through this HumanaOne Plan, will offer its holders
monthly cash payments, which they can use to cover their particular
needs, such as engaging an aging-assistance concierge service,
paying for groceries and pet care or reimbursing a neighbor who
assists with daily living tasks. In addition, the policyholders
eligible to begin receiving payments must receive certification of
their chronic condition from a licensed health care
practitioner.
In addition, Humana started a pilot project to improve the care
of members with congestive heart failure using the Intel Health
Guide.
The Intel Health Guide is a computer in a patient's home that
provides daily monitoring of vital signs such as weight and blood
pressure and transmits that information over the Internet. It is
equipped with a two-way video so nurses and patients can talk
face-to-face.
Humana partnered with Intel-GE Care Innovations, which is a
joint venture between Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC) and
GE Healthcare.
The project thus allows Humana nurses to manage the care of
patients anywhere in the country by using the Intel Health Guide.
Nurses can also observe physical traits that may indicate changes
in a member's condition and can alert physicians accordingly.
Humana reported fourth-quarter operating earnings of
$1.65 per share on February 7, surpassing the Zacks Consensus
Estimate of 80 cents. This also
compares favorably with earnings of $1.48 in the year-ago quarter.
In December, Humana also completed its acquisition of Concentra,
which delivers occupational medicine, urgent care, physical therapy
and wellness services to patients at more than 300 locations in 42
states.
The purchase of Concentra is expected to raise Humana's
consolidated 2011 revenue by $800
million. Humana will also gain new opportunities in the
growing area of health care. In addition, the deal will enhance
Humana's business, diversify its revenue stream and provide
opportunities for expansion.
Headquartered in Louisville,
Kentucky, Humana offers various health and supplemental
benefit plans in the U.S. The company markets its products through
various channels, including television, radio, the Internet,
telemarketing, and direct mailings, and has strategic alliances
with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), State Farm, and
United Services Automobile Association to market its products. It
competes with Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) and Unitedhealth
Group, Inc. (NYSE: UNH).
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