EIRMC, West Valley Medical Center to continue to serve Humana's Medicare Advantage members

Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC), a full-service regional medical center in Idaho Falls, and West Valley Medical Center, a community hospital in Caldwell, will continue to provide in-network medical care to all Medicare Advantage members enrolled in plans offered by Humana (NYSE: HUM), under terms of a renewal agreement announced today.

“We look forward to continue serving Humana's Medicare Advantage members in southeast Idaho”

Under the renewed contract, members of Humana's Medicare Advantage products will have in-network benefit access to all inpatient, outpatient and emergency services provided by both hospitals. EIRMC, the largest and most comprehensive medical facility in the region, is located at 3100 Channing Way in Idaho Falls. West Valley Medical Center, a 150-bed, nationally-accredited facility, is located at 1717 Arlington Avenue in Caldwell. Both hospitals are part of the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) family.

Both Idaho hospitals will provide in-network care to members of Humana's Medicare Advantage health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO) and private fee-for-service (PFFS) health plans. Humana has approximately 30,500 members in Idaho.

"We look forward to continue serving Humana's Medicare Advantage members in southeast Idaho," said Doug Crabtree, chief executive officer, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. "This agreement allows those eligible for Medicare to have better access to doctors and medical services, removing barriers to care, and connecting more patients with what we believe is the best medical staff in the region."

With more than 300 hospital beds and more than 300 physicians on staff, EIRMC serves as the region's health care hub, offering specialty services including open-heart surgery, leading-edge cancer treatment, trauma, neurosurgery, intensive care for adults and infants, and ground, fixed wing and helicopter ambulance services. EIRMC is also home to Idaho's only Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons and Level 1 Intensive Care Unit.

"As a community hospital committed to each individual's health care experience, we are pleased to be able to provide medical services to Humana's Medicare Advantage members in the western Treasure Valley," said Kathy Moore, chief executive officer, West Valley Medical Center. "We hope Humana's members will continue to benefit from our patient-centered approach that our neighbors in Canyon County have enjoyed since 1950."

Part of the HCA family since 1975, West Valley Medical Center focuses on high-quality, cost-effective health care to Treasure Valley residents and ranked in the top 10 percent of U.S. hospitals for treatment of heart failure, heart attack and surgical care improvement in the second quarter of 2009, according to Hospital Compare, a quality tool provided by Medicare.

"A renewal agreement with two major hospitals in Idaho is especially significant for our Medicare Advantage members in the state," said Oraida Roman, regional president for senior products for Humana's Intermountain Region. "Increasing access to quality health care allows our members to have greater access to services and providers, giving them an improved sense of well-being and health."