Humana Medicare Insurance Synopsis

Review Summary: Humana offers Medicare Advantage in 49 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Medicare Supplement is offered in 48 states and District of Columbia. It also offers prescription drug plans.

Recommended for: Humana is a good pick for those looking for a Medicare Advantage plan. While Humana offers Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans, it has higher ratings for its Medicare Advantage plans.  

Humana Medicare Insurance Reviews

Humana Medicare Coverage Overview 

Humana offers Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, and Medicare Supplement insurance plans.  

Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare because they include Part A coverage, and Part B coverage, and most plans also include Part D coverage, which is the prescription drug plan.  

Some of Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans also include coverage for dental, hearing, and vision.  

The Medicare Supplement plans are added in addition to Medicare Part A and Part B. 

Humana Medicare Advantage Plan Options 

Humana offers a total of 12 Medicare Advantage plans in the following categories: 

• HMO Plans (health maintenance organizations). HMO Plans typically come with low premiums, but you are restricted to doctors and hospitals with the plan’s network.  
• PPO Plans (preferred provider organization). PPOs typically have higher premiums and/or copays compared to HMO plans, but they come with more options for doctors, clinics, and hospitals.  
• PFFS Plans (private fee for service). PFFS are plans that are purchased through private insurance companies. Premiums depend on what services are included in your plan.  

• SNP Plans (special needs plans). SNP Plans are for those with specific conditions, diseases, or characteristics. These include conditions such as diabetes, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), dementia, chronic heart failure, and HIV/AIDS. 

Humana Medicare Advantage Plan Rates 

Medicare Advantage plan rates and fees will vary depending on where you live and other factors, but here’s a general overview of what you can expect depending on if you decide to go with an HMO, PPO, PFFS or SNP. 

Please note that all premiums are in addition to the Medicare Part B Premium, which currently starts at $148.50 per month. 

Humana Prescription Drug Plan  

For those looking for a standalone prescription drug coverage, Humana offers the following drug plans: 

• Humana Walmart Value Rx Plan (PDP) 
• Humana Basic Rx Plan (PDP) 
• Humana Premier Rx Plan (PDP) 

How to Enroll in Medicare Advantage with Humana 

Medicare patients have three opportunities to enroll in Medicare Advantage with Humana depending on their current situation: 

• For first-time Medicare patients: The first time Medicare patients are able to sign up for Medicare is during what is called the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which starts 3 months before you turn 65 and ends three months after, including your birthday month. This means that you have a total of 7 months to sign up for Medicare. If you fail to enroll during this period, you may face a penalty. You may sign up for Medicare Advantage with Humana during this period.  
• For current Medicare Advantage patients: If you currently have Medicare Advantage through another provider and you want to switch your plan to Humana, you have two opportunities to make the switch: (1) During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which starts on January 1 and ends on March 31; (2) During Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which starts on October 15 and ends on December 7 each year.  

• For Original Medicare patients: If you have Original Medicare, with or without Medicare Supplement insurance, you may switch to Medicare Advantage with Humana during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which starts on October 15 each year and ends on December 7.  

Go here to start shopping for Humana Medicare Advantage plans.  

Humana Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans  

Humana offers the following Medicare Supplement insurance plans, but since Jan. 1, 2020, Plan C, Plan F, and high-deductible Plan F are only available to those who first qualified for Medicare before 2020.  

While there is some plan variation in some states, here is a breakdown of the plans and the coverage they include: 

• Plan A: Includes Medicare Part A coinsurance and coverage for hospital care, Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment, the first three pints of blood, and Hospice care coinsurance or copayment 
• Plan B: Includes Medicare Part A coinsurance and coverage for hospital care, Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment, the first three pints of blood, Hospice care coinsurance or copayment, and the Part A deductible 
• Plan C: Includes Medicare Part A coinsurance and coverage for hospital care, Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment, the first three pints of blood, Hospice care coinsurance or copayment, the Part A deductible, the Part B deductible, skilled nursing care coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency coverage 
• Plan F (and high-deductible Plan F): Includes Medicare Part A coinsurance and coverage for hospital care, Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment, the first three pints of blood, Hospice care coinsurance or copayment, the Part A deductible, the Part B deductible, Part B excess charges, skilled nursing care coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency coverage 
• Plan G (and high deductible Plan G): Includes Medicare Part A coinsurance and coverage for hospital care, Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment, the first three pints of blood, hospice care coinsurance or copayment, the Part A deductible, Part B excess charges, skilled nursing care coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency coverage 
• Plan K: Includes Medicare Part A coinsurance and coverage for hospital care, 50% of Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment, 50% of the first three pints of blood, 50% hospice care coinsurance or copayment, 50% of the Part A deductible, and 50% of skilled nursing care coinsurance 
• Plan L: Includes Medicare Part A coinsurance and coverage for hospital care, 75% of Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment, 75% of the first three pints of blood, 75% hospice care coinsurance or copayment, 75% of the Part A deductible, and 75% of skilled nursing care coinsurance 
• Plan N: Includes $20 copay for office visits and $50 copay for ER for Medicare Part A care, Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment, the first three pints of blood, hospice care coinsurance or copayment, the Part A deductible, skilled nursing care coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency coverage 

Humana Medigap Plan Rates and Fees 

Humana offers a 6% discount when customers purchase their Medigap plans online. However, there is no discount for residents of California, Connecticut, and Ohio. 

Rates vary depending on your location and other factors, but to give you an idea of what the premiums may be, these are the rates for a female in New Jersey who is 65 years old.  

How to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans with Humana 

Medicare Supplement plans are purchased during the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period, which begins on the first day of the first month that you are going to turn 65 and you are enrolled in Medicare Part B. You have six months from the first of the month to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan.  

If you miss the Medigap Open enrollment window, you can still apply, but you risk denial or paying a penalty fee. 

Go here to learn more about how to enroll.  

About Humana  

Humana first opened in 1961 as a nursing home company. It later owned and managed hospitals. In 1983, it began offering health insurance plans. It now focuses exclusively on group health insurance and Medicare plans.  

Additional Benefits 

Most of Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans include dental and vision benefits for routine care. However, coverage depends on the plan you choose.  

For those with Medicare Supplement plans, Humana also offers these additional services:  

• Fitness club service 
• Hearing discount 
• Prescription drug discount 
• Vision discount 
• 24-hour nurse advice line 

Where Plans are Offered 

Humana offers Medicare Advantage in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (not available in New York). Medicare Supplement is offered in 48 states and the District of Columbia (not available in Kentucky or New York). [Source: Humana.com]