Humana profit jumps, but sees lower 2010 profit

Health insurer Humana Inc posted a 65 percent jump in third-quarter profit on Monday, helped by lower prescription drug claims and higher enrollment in Medicare plans for seniors.

But the large provider of Medicare plans also projected a decline in profit in 2010. Health insurers face lower reimbursement from the government next year in Medicare.

Net income was $301.5 million, or $1.78 per share, compared with $183 million, or $1.09 per share, a year earlier, when the company was hit by investment losses.

Analysts on average expected $1.77 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

(Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf; Editing by Derek Caney)