Paul Coussereau

Ross DeVol interviews Paul Kusserow of Humana

Ross DeVol, Paul Kusserow, Ross Duvall, Paul Coussereau

Humana completed an $800 million acquisition of Concentra to integrate occupational health services and shift care to alternative sites, aiming to reduce costly hospitalizations amid a looming global physician shortage. To address demographic pressures and a projected 130,000-physician gap by 2020, the company is leveraging a hybrid model that combines technology like sensor monitoring and telemedicine with expanded roles for nurse practitioners and "health extenders." This strategy seeks to mitigate rising costs for the 15% of members driving the majority of expenses while managing the care needs of an aging population through integrated wellness programs and algorithmic data analysis.