Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) recently entered into an in-network deal with The University of Alabama at Birmingham ("UAB") Health System in a bid to provide HUM's Medicare Advantage members in Alabama greater access to care. The agreement came into effect earlier this year. This partnership provides Medicare Advantage members in Alabama with in-network access to several UAB and UAB-affiliated facilities, such as UAB Hospital, UAB Hospital-Highlands, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital & Clinics, UAB Medical West and UAB Medicine Outpatient Clinics. With the availability of high-quality healthcare services at such facilities, improved health outcomes will remain an inevitable result for Humana members. The recent move indicates HUM's efforts to expand treatment options in Alabama and subsequently, strengthen its presence across the United States. With access to UAB's facilities, more individuals are likely to opt for HUM's Medicare Advantage plans. The resultant benefit of membership growth will be higher premiums, which remain the most significant top-line contributor of a health insurer. Individual Medicare Advantage premiums advanced 13.3% year over year in the first quarter. Management anticipates this business line to witness a ...