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LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 26, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced today that David A. Jones, Jr., who has served as vice chairman of the company's board of directors since 1996, has been appointed chairman of the board.

As part of the board's ongoing succession process, Mr. Jones was recommended by the board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to succeed Humana co-founder David A. Jones. Mr. Jones, 73, retired at the close of today's annual shareholders' meeting in accordance with Humana's policy requiring board members to step down at the annual meeting following their 73rd birthday. The selection of Mr. Jones Jr. was unanimously approved by the board at its meeting immediately following the shareholders' meeting.

"As a successful venture capitalist and longtime board vice chair, David Jones brings vigor, strategic insight and a wealth of experience in health care to his new role," said John R. Hall, chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. "His appointment as chairman will help keep the board fully engaged in overseeing shareholder interests and supporting the ongoing success of Chief Executive Officer Mike McCallister and his leadership team."

"While humbled by this appointment, I'm at the same time eager to lead the board as Humana pursues promising and diversified business opportunities," Jones said. "Humana's board and operational leadership are strong and stable, and we're optimistic about the company's prospects for significant growth in revenues, health plan membership and net income."

Mr. Jones, 47, is chairman and managing director of Chrysalis Ventures, LLC, a Louisville-based venture capital firm which he founded in 1993. Chrysalis Ventures provides equity capital for young growth companies in the Southeast and Midwest.

Mr. Jones is immediate past chairman of the Greater Louisville Health Enterprises Network, a business consortium designed to promote the growth of the health care economy in Louisville and the surrounding region. He also serves on the advisory committee of the Brookings Center on Health Policy, on the board of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and on the Yale President's Council on International Activities.

Prior to forming Chrysalis Ventures, Mr. Jones practiced corporate and international law. He served in the U.S. Department of State's general counsel's office from 1988 to 1992, working principally on political and economic issues involving East Asia.

A magna cum laude graduate of Yale University, Mr. Jones earned a J.D. degree from the Yale University School of Law. He has been a Humana board member since 1993.

At Tuesday's board meeting, Michael E. Gellert, 73, a board member since 1968, also stepped down pursuant to the company's board retirement policy. Mr. Gellert was a member of the board's executive committee and chairman of the audit committee.

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 7 million medical members located primarily in 15 states and Puerto Rico. Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health insurance products and related services -- through traditional and consumer-choice plans -- to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals.

Over its 44-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company's web site at http://www.humana.com , including copies of:

- Annual report to stockholders;
     - Securities and Exchange Commission filings;
     - Most recent investor conference presentation;
     - Quarterly earnings news releases;
     - Replay of most recent earnings release conference call;
     - Calendar of events (includes upcoming earnings conference call dates,
       times, and access number, as well as planned interaction with
       institutional investors);
     - Corporate Governance information.

SOURCE Humana Inc.

Regina Nethery, Humana Investor Relations, +1-502-580-3644, or Rnethery@humana.com ;
or Tom Noland, Humana Corporate Communications, +1-502-580-3674, or
Tnoland@humana.com

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