Humana Inc., the best-performing U. S. insurance stock this year, is revealed to reduce its workforce by about 1,400 jobs, or 5 percent, during 2010 to align the size of the company with its membership, as it concentrates on areas of growth.

About 2,500 positions are reported to get eliminated primarily through attrition, becoming more efficient, outsourcing and position eliminations, the Louisville, Kentucky-based company posted today in a statement.

The insurer also plans to recruit 1,100 people in growth areas including medical-cost containment, pharmacy management and specialty products, for a total reduction of 1,400 positions.

"This regrettable but necessary reduction in our workforce is a direct result of Humana's need to align the size of our company with that of our membership", said Michael McCallister, Humana's President and Chief Executive Officer, in the statement.

"We are committed to managing this aspect of our realignment with the utmost care and sensitivity", he added.

Humana backed its 2010 earnings forecast of $5.15 per share to $5.35 per share, and said the workforce changes are not anticipated to lead to any changes to its prior earnings outlook.