May 30, 2018

Humana sues to keep Tricare contract hidden from public

Bob Herman

Humana has filed a reverse FOIA against the Defense Health Agency. Photo: wellesenterprises/iStock via Getty Images

Humana has filed a "reverse FOIA" complaint against the Defense Health Agency, part of the Defense Department, demanding DHA not release "proprietary and confidential" information about its contract for Tricare — the health insurance program for active military members and their families.

Why it matters: Humana's Tricare contract costs taxpayers $40.5 billion over five years. But Humana argues that if specific "enhancement" contract details were not kept secret from the public, the government would crush Humana's "competitive advantage" by allowing other insurers to copy Humana's plans.

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