Humana cuts jobs, adds jobs elsewhere

The health insurer Humana is cutting about 1,300 positions a couple months after starting an early retirement program.

A spokesman said Tuesday that the positions amount to less than 3 percent of the insurer's workforce. Those who lose jobs can apply for another position with Humana, which also has 1,450 openings. The final number of cuts has not been determined.

The insurer said more than 1,150 people volunteered for early retirement, and will leave next year.

Humana Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's biggest providers of Medicare Advantage coverage, which involves privately run versions of the federal Medicare program for people who are over 65 or disabled.

Humana says the personnel moves were among several measures it is taking to position itself "for long-term sustainable success."

The company did not release details on where the job cuts, or additions, would take place.