HispanicBusiness

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) today reported diluted earnings per common share (EPS) for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 (4Q12) of $1.19, compared to $1.20 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 (4Q11). Results for 4Q12 were relatively unchanged versus those for 4Q11, but exceeded management's previous expectations.

For the year ended December 31, 2012 (FY12) the company reported $7.47 in EPS compared to $8.46 for the year ended December 31, 2011 (FY11), which was higher than management's previous expectations for FY12 EPS in the range of $7.25 to $7.35. FY12 consolidated results included $0.48 per share of benefit from favorable prior period medical claims reserve development compared to $0.77 per share in FY11.

The company continues to anticipate EPS for the year ending December 31, 2013 (FY13) in the range of $7.60 to $7.80 as improving operating results and modest accretion from the Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc. (Metropolitan) acquisition that closed in late FY12 are expected to be generally offset by slightly higher flu-related medical costs than previously anticipated, as well as additional interest expense associated with the company's recent senior notes offering.

"The progress we made building our clinical capabilities in 2012 positions us strongly for success in 2014 and beyond," said Bruce D. Broussard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Humana. "For 2013, we will continue to enhance our integrated care delivery model, which we believe represents the future of health care delivery, as we forecast another year of growth in revenues, earnings and Medicare membership."

Consolidated Highlights

Revenues -- 4Q12 consolidated revenues were $9.56 billion, an increase of 6 percent from $9.06 billion in 4Q11, with total premiums and services revenue up 5 percent compared to the prior year's quarter. The year-over-year increase in premiums and services revenue was primarily driven by higher Retail and Employer Group segment revenues resulting from higher average individual and group Medicare membership, partially offset by the company's new South Region TRICARE contract being accounted for as self-funded versus fully-insured for the previous contract. The new contract became effective on April 1, 2012.

FY12 consolidated revenues increased 6 percent to $39.13 billion from $36.83 billion in FY11 with total premiums and services revenue also up 6 percent compared to the prior year period, as a result of similar segment-level changes as those affecting the fourth quarter year-over-year change.

Benefits expense -- The 4Q12 consolidated benefit ratio (benefits expense as a percent of premiums) of 83.7 percent increased by 190 basis points from 81.8 percent for the prior year's quarter due primarily to a 360 basis point increase in the Retail Segment benefit ratio, as discussed more fully below.

The consolidated benefit ratio for FY12 of 83.7 percent increased by 160 basis points from the FY11 consolidated benefit ratio of 82.1 percent also primarily due to a 290 basis point increase in the benefit ratio for the Retail Segment.

Operating expenses -- The consolidated operating cost ratio (operating costs as a percent of total revenues less investment income) of 17.5 percent for 4Q12 declined from 17.7 percent in 4Q11 primarily due to substantial reductions in this operating metric for the Retail