Humana skewing debate over how to care for older Americans, STAT News says

A STAT investigation reveals Humana (HUM) is skewing the debate over how to care for older Americans, STAT News’ Casey Ross and Tara Bannow report. Ross and Bannow reviewed internal documents and government reports and spoke with dozens of people, including former Humana employees. The insurance giant’s senior-focused primary care clinics were generating extraordinary medical benefits for older Americans, keeping them out of hospitals and away from emergency rooms, they told investors in the fall of 2022. “When we integrate effectively in local markets,” CEO Bruce Broussard said, “we see better clinical outcomes.” But his message conflicted sharply with the company’s own internal research. Just six weeks earlier, data presented to managers showed patients cared for by Humana’s clinics actually had much higher rates of hospitalizations and emergency department visits than those who went to similar non-Humana primary care practices. That more dour assessment didn’t make it into the investor deck, the authors write