LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Health insurer Humana Inc. has purchased the privately held firm Harris, Rothenberg International Inc. as part of its push to expand employee assistance program offerings.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Harris, Rothenberg, based in New York, provides services that help employees deal with emotional, financial or legal problems and childcare needs. It serves about 5.5 million people in the United States and another 70,000 internationally.

Humana, based in Louisville, Ky., said Thursday the deal will support its push to help companies cut health care spending and handle productivity problems due to employee health issues, disabilities or absences.

Shares of Humana added 19 cents to $67.85 in late-morning trading, while the broader markets also were up slightly.