Military & Veteran
11/02/2023

Supporting Veterans and Military Spouses All Year Long

by Karen Moran, President, Humana Military

November is an important month for the military community, with it being National Veterans and Military Families Month and Veterans Day falling annually on November 11. And while appreciation months and holidays are valuable ways to shine a light on Veterans and military families, it’s important to remember that this community needs support year-round, in large and small ways.

At Humana Military, and our parent company Humana, we’re working to walk the walk when it comes to caring for the people who have given so much to the United States of America.

Addressing health equity in the military community
A study published recently by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas adds to the growing volume of research telling us how members of the U.S. military community face unique challenges to their health when compared to civilians. Food insecurity, diabetes, loneliness and social isolation are just a few of the issues that disproportionately affect the military community. That’s why Humana Military started an initiative called Military Health and Resilience (MHR) in 2019. 

MHR is a clinically integrated program that addresses health-related social needs. We have started with two communities – San Antonio, Texas and Jacksonville, Florida – and have partnered with local and national military health influencers to create and support programs that lead to improved family resiliency, increased readiness, higher productivity and lower healthcare costs. In 2022, MHR expanded their reach to launch projects across the TRICARE East Region.

Supporting military and veterans service organizations
Humana Military dedicates annual funds to support the Military Service Organizations (MSOs) and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) doing crucial work in the military community. We believe that partnering with established, trusted MSOs and VSOs can lead to greater impacts for military families than working on our own.

Here are just a few of the organizations we have the privilege to work with:

  • United Services Organizations (USO) - The USO is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to supporting the morale and well-being of U.S. military personnel and their families. Their mission is to strengthen America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home, and country. By partnering with the USO, Humana Military helps create programs and initiatives that provide opportunities for social connection, build resilience, and encourage physical activity. Through these collaborative efforts, Humana Military and the USO work together to ensure that our military community feels supported, connected, and empowered to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
  • Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF) - The preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers—the spouses, parents, family members, and friends who care for America’s wounded, ill, or injured veterans. We support EDF’s annual Heroes and History Makers event, and partner with them on their Respite Care program, the Hidden Helpers Coalition, and the Campaign for Inclusive Care.
  • The Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF): A Congressionally chartered nonprofit dedicated to advancing military medicine that serves military, medical, academic and government programs. We are members of HJF’s Leader Forum, are the Chairman Sponsor for the Heroes of Military Medicine event, and have partnered with them on research collaborations.
  • National Military Family Association (NMFA): The voice of military families for over 50 years, and the other co-chair of The Military Coalition’s Healthcare Committee. We work closely with NMFA to understand family members needs and challenges, provide funds matching support for their annual Giving Tuesday campaign, and support the State of the Military Family event.
  • The Armed Services YMCA: The constant in a military family’s life on the home front and during deployment, when transitioning between bases, and in times of conflict and peace. We support their annual Angels of the Battlefield event, have funded children’s waiting rooms at MTFs in our region and supported their food assistance programs.
  • Military Officers Association of America (MOAA): The nation's largest and most influential association of military officers, and the co-chair of The Military Coalition’s Healthcare Committee. We work closely with MOAA to understand their members needs and challenges, help fund research programs, and support annual fundraising events.
  • AMSUS: The Society of Federal Health Professionals, an educational and professional development association serving the DoD, VA, DHHS, DHS, and industry partners and advocates for advancing health through interagency collaboration. We are members of their Executive Advisory Board and support and participate in their Annual Conference.

Veteran and military spouse hiring
Humana strives to be an inclusive employer and workplace, and that extends to Veterans and military spouses. In a 2021 survey, 21% of civilian spouses reported being unemployed, and that same year the U.S. Department of Labor reported the national civilian unemployment rate at 3.9%. Because of Humana’s Veterans Hiring Initiative, which started in 2011, the company has hired more than 6,000 Veterans and military spouses. Humana is committed to empowering our military, Veterans and their spouses with meaningful employment and growth opportunities.

We’ve done this by:

  • Providing employment and development opportunities to military service members, Veterans and spouses;

  • Exceeding our talent demands with uniquely qualified military talent that enhances the service provided to our members and beneficiaries; and

  • Being a corporate leader in support of the military and Veteran community.

Service members, Veterans and military spouses have made Humana a better company and a better place to work. In 2022 alone, Humana won the following awards for our military-inclusive culture:

It is an honor to serve, support and work alongside service members, Veterans and military families. Let’s take this month to recognize, remember and celebrate the military community, and I encourage all of us to embrace that spirit of caring all year long.