Humana Reports Third Quarter Financial Results, Provides 2010 Financial Guidance
Reaffirms 2009 EPS guidance of approximately $6.15
2009 YTD cash flows from operations of over $1.1 billion
Medicare operations continue to perform well
TRICARE contract protest upheld by GAO
Commercial results continue to be impacted by general economy

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) today reported diluted earnings per common share (EPS) for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 (3Q09) of $1.78, consistent with management’s guidance of $1.75 to $1.80. The company earned $1.09 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 (3Q08) which reflected $0.40 per share in realized losses primarily associated with other-than-temporary impairments in investments and sales of distressed financial institution securities. The 3Q08 results also included high stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) claim expenses.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 (YTD09) the company reported $4.67 in EPS compared to $2.79 in EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 (YTD08). The YTD08 results reflected both high stand-alone PDP claim expenses and lower investment income primarily due to significant realized losses on investments.

“Our results this quarter reflect continued solid performance in our Government businesses, offsetting continuing challenges in our Commercial Segment,” said Michael B. McCallister, president and chief executive officer of Humana. “We continue to anticipate consolidated results in line with our previous expectations and thus are reaffirming our 2009 EPS guidance.”

The company anticipates EPS of approximately $6.15 for the year ending December 31, 2009 (FY09). Looking ahead to the year ending December 31, 2010 (FY10), the company projects EPS to be in the range of $5.05 to $5.25. The 2010 estimate includes military services EPS between breakeven and $0.10 per share (including the impact of asset write-downs and other charges) and excludes any potential impact from pending health legislation or regulatory reform.

"Looking to 2010, we're forecasting substantial net-new Medicare Advantage member growth, attributable to both large-group and individual customers," McCallister said. "In addition, as we've said in the past, we target an overall Medicare pretax operating margin of approximately 5 percent, which next year will include a significant increase in group membership, a traditionally lower margin business, a moderating margin for our stand-alone PDPs, and an individual Medicare margin that approximates the overall target. We also anticipate stabilizing our Commercial operating results with administrative cost reductions and continuation of pricing actions."



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