Humana is unique among large health insurance companies by having a disproportionate share of associates remain in the same department of the same company for 15, 20, or 25+ years. The continued use of outdated processes creates significant barriers to innovation, and associates’ narrow expertise and lack of external experience severely impacts the company’s ability to make decisions, as evidenced by the disastrously non-competitive 2022 Medicare benefits offerings that resulted in loss of enrollment. Because of those membership losses, the company has had to eliminate a large number of jobs, freeze hiring, and restructure much of the organization. The restructure is long overdue, but unfortunately the layoffs have resulted in the loss of new talent as well as long term employees.
Although Humana has stellar executive leadership heading diversity, inclusion, and health equity initiatives, not all executive management has embraced diversity. Additionally, many of the old-school Humana leaders do not understand modern management principles and are lacking the skills necessary to lead their teams.
