Dec 3 (Reuters) - Humana Inc ( HUM ) said on Tuesday

that Chief Financial Officer Susan Diamond was stepping down and

Celeste Mellet would replace her, effective Jan. 11.

The CFO change comes as the health insurer struggles to

manage its medical costs related to its large business of

Medicare Advantage insurance plans, which led the company to

withdraw its 2025 profit forecast in April.

The insurer now forecasts its 2025 adjusted profit to be "at

least in line" with this year's results, which are expected to

be at least $16 per share.

Humana also replaced its CEO earlier this year, with Jim

Rechtin taking over from Bruce Broussard, who helmed the health

insurer for more than a decade.

Mellet currently serves as CFO of Global Infrastructure

Partners, an infrastructure fund manager recently acquired by

BlackRock, and has previously worked as CFO for Evercore and

Fannie Mae.

"She has a proven track record of working with

cross-functional teams to drive improved performance throughout

the complex organizations where she has served as a leader,"

Humana CEO Rechtin said in a statement.

Diamond, who is stepping down after 18 years with the health

insurer, will serve in an advisory role through the end of 2025

to ensure a smooth transition, Humana said.