Humana Medicare Insurance Review
Find out about Humana and see how their Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans compare to other Medicare health insurance providers.
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Humana is a well-known Medicare health insurance provider that has been operating since 1961.
Its popularity across the U.S., affordable health insurance plans, and excellent benefits make it the provider of choice for nearly 8.6 million Americans.
If you’re interested in joining a Humana Medicare plan, read this review to learn everything you need to know about their Medicare offerings in 2021.
Terms you need to know -
Deductibles are costs you have to pay for your prescriptions and healthcare before your Medicare policy covers your medical expenses.
Coinsurance payments are a portion of patients’ costs for medical treatment, services, and items. These are either a percentage of the price or a set daily rate.
Copayments or copays are fixed amounts that Medicare beneficiaries pay for medical services, tests, or items. These can range from a couple of dollars to a few hundred, depending on the expense.
Out-of-pocket expenses are the costs that your health insurance won’t cover. Deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments are all types of out-of-pocket expenses.
Humana Review
Humana is one of the largest for-profit providers of Medicare Advantage insurance and offers Medicare health insurance in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Medicare beneficiaries in more than 80% of all counties can get a Humana plan, making them one of the most widespread providers of Medicare coverage.
In 2021, the company offered five Medicare Advantage plans, three Medicare Part D (PDP) plans, and ten Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.
Humana health insurance also has veteran-focused Medicare Advantage plans (Humana Honor) in 46 states and offers Medicare advantage coverage to dual-eligibles in 26 states. They even have Chronic Condition SNPs in 12 states.
Along with its widespread availability and range of Medicare coverage options, Humana’s customer service and affordability make it one of the top health insurance companies operating today.
Benefits of Humana
✅ Humana health insurance is the second-largest provider of Medicare plans in the U.S. in 2021.
✅ Their plans are available throughout the country and even some overseas U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico.
✅ Members can get access to an extensive network of pharmacies and healthcare providers.
✅ 93% of existing Humana health insurance members are on a plan that received a 5-star rating in 2021.
✅ Humana offers dental and vision benefits on specific plans.
✅ It offers great health perks and benefits for its members through wellness programs, which we’ll cover later in the article.
Shortcomings of Humana❌ Some of their health insurance plans received low scores in 2021.
❌ Their Chronic Condition SNPs are only available in 12 states.
What Is Humana’s Medicare Star Rating?
Humana’s overall weighted star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.1 stars)
Here’s what the different star ratings mean:
(No stars): New Plan
⭐: Poor
⭐⭐: Below average
⭐⭐⭐: Average
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Excellent
In 2021, the average star rating for Medicare health insurance companies was 4.06 stars, while Humana received an overall Medicare rating of 4.1.
This is the overall rating of the company in 2021. Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Services (Part D plans) are scored separately.
Because of this, it’s always a good idea to check star ratings on the Medicare.gov website.
What Are Medicare Star Ratings?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) uses a star rating system to measure the performance of Medicare Advantage and Part D health plans. The aim is to make it easy for buyers to compare the quality of the health plans on offer.
They also provide an overall star rating score for each health insurance company that offer Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans.
The rating for Medicare Part C considers 28 different factors.
The rating for Medicare Part D considers 12 factors.
The rating for Medicare Advantage Plans with Part D coverage considers 38 factors.
The CMS rates health insurance companies and their plans on:
How Medicare providers keep their beneficiaries healthy (for example, preventive services and other health benefits).
How they manage long-term or chronic conditions.
Their members’ experience (overall customer satisfaction).
Member complaints (complaints submitted and whether members are leaving the health plan).
The plan’s overall customer service (call center services, processes claims and appeals, and enrollments).
Other Third-Party Ratings of Humana
Some companies and organizations provide ratings of Medicare health insurance providers each year. Let’s take a look at what they had to say about Humana’s services and products in 2021.
Consumer Affairs
Consumer Affairs is a for-profit company that provides research and reviews of services and products. Based on 1,267 user submissions to the website, Humana scored an overall ranking of 3.9 stars. However, most users on Consumer Affairs rated Human’s plans and services 4 stars or higher.
Consumer Affairs’ overall satisfaction ranking score is based on a scale of 1 to 5 and looks at user submissions over the past 12 months.
Just remember, while their rating is a good way of finding out what people think, the site doesn’t separately score plans and may only offer a limited view of the company’s performance in different areas.
JD Power
Each year, the 2021 J.D. Power Medicare Advantage Study rates customer satisfaction among the ten largest Medicare Advantage providers in the U.S.
J.D. Power surveyed 3,359 members of Medicare Advantage plans across the U.S. The study looks at:
Coverage and Benefits
Provider Choice
Cost
Customer Service
Information and Communication
Billing and Payment
Humana scored 822 out of 1,000 and ranked fourth for overall customer satisfaction.
J.D. Power’s 2021 Medicare Advantage study ranks different Medicare plan providers.
AM Best
The AM Best Credit Rating is an independent, objective opinion about a company’s financial strengths and weaknesses. The credit-rating agency gave Humana an A- (Excellent) grade for financial stability and long-term financial outlook.
Here’s what the different ratings mean:
What does this mean? According to AM Best, Humana Inc. is financially stable and manages its finances well.
How Does Humana Compare to Other Health Insurance Providers?
Overall, Humana is trusted by millions of Medicare beneficiaries across the U.S. Let’s look at how it compares with some other Medicare providers.
Humana vs Aetna
Humana and Aetna are two of the largest Medicare health insurance companies in the U.S. Both companies offer great plans and benefits.
Humana provides coverage to around 8.6 million Medicare beneficiaries, while Aetna has approximately 9.8 million Medicare members.
Humana received a 4.1-star overall score from CMS in 2021, while Aetna scored 3.5-stars.
In the 2021 JD Power member satisfaction survey, Humana received a score of 822 out of 1000, while Aetna scored slightly less (795 out of 1000).
Both providers have top-notch plan options. 87% of Aetna MAPD members were enrolled in a 4 star-rated plan. 92% of Humana’s Medicare Advantage members are enrolled in 4 star-rated programs.
Both health insurance companies have a wide area of coverage. However, Humana is available in more counties (2,703 in 2021) and also offers Medicare Advantage in Puerto Rico.
Humana vs Cigna
Cigna is the seventh-largest provider of Medicare Advantage and provides cover to 2% of all Medicare beneficiaries.
Humana is the second-largest for-profit Medicare provider and has just under 8.6 million members.
Cigna offers its Medicare plans in 23 states and Washington DC (369 counties), while Humana covers all 50 states, including Washington DC, and Puerto Rico (2,703 counties).
In 2021 Cigna received an overall star rating of 4.2, slightly higher than Humana’s 4.1 overall star rating.
In terms of individual plans, 87% of Cigna’s members are on a plan rated 4 stars or higher. In comparison, 93% of Humana’s Medicare members were on a 4-star rated plan or higher.
Interestingly, 76% of Cigna members are enrolled in a $0-premium plan, which is higher than Humana’s estimated 60% of Medicare beneficiaries who are on a $0-premium plan.
Humana’s Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage plans are health insurance policies that private health care companies offer Medicare beneficiaries.
These plans provide the same coverage as Original Medicare and offer added benefits such as fitness perks and insurance for hearing, vision, and dental expenses.
Humana offered five types of Medicare Advantage plans in 2021:
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans
HMO point-of-service (HMO-POS) Plans
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans
Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
There Are Five Main Types of Medicare Advantage Policies
HMO Plans
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans provide health insurance via a specific network of healthcare providers. You’re only covered for service in-network.
HMO-POS Plans
An HMO point-of-service (HMO-POS) health plan covers some health care costs outside your network, but premiums and copayments are typically higher than HMO plans.
PPO Plans
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans allow you to see any provider that accepts insurance. You don’t need a referral from your primary physician to get specialist help.
PFFS Plans
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans allow members to see any health care provider enrolled in Medicare that accepts your plan.
SNPs
Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are plans for people with specific needs or diseases. For example, people who live with chronic conditions or those that live in assisted living facilities.
But this doesn’t mean that you’ll only have five options to choose from. Depending on your county, Humana will offer different options.
For example, Humana might have two HMO plans and three PFFS plans in one county, and three HMO plans and two PFFS plans in another area.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to speak with a Medicare consultant or do your own research before you call your preferred provider to sign up. Reach out to one of PolicyScout’s skilled consultants at 1-888-912-2132 to find out more about Humana health insurance options in your area.
Humana’s Medicare Advantage plan benefits mean that its members can get value for money and live healthier lives. For example:
Part B premium reduction: Humana offers a Part B premium reduction on some of its health insurance plans in certain states.
Dental coverage: Humana members on specific plans can get full or partial cover for dental procedures, tests, and expenses.
Vision care: Humana’s health plans offer vision cover for tests, treatments, and equipment.
Hearing benefits: Some Humana plans offer partial or complete coverage for hearing care, which can help members save on hearing tests and hearing aids.
OTC benefits: Some plans offer members a monthly allowance to help them pay for the costs of over-the-counter drugs such as vitamins, pain medications, and first aid supplies.
Insulin savings programs on some plans: Humana members on specific plans can benefit from the company’s insulin savings program, which reduces the cost of insulin and helps people with diabetes manage their condition.
Telehealth benefits: Members can speak to a primary care doctor, urgent care specialist, or outpatient behavioral health specialist over the phone for free.
Fitness benefits: Humana members can use the SilverSneakers program to access gyms, get discounts on food purchases, and participate in online fitness classes.
Mail-order pharmacy services: Humana members can use the company’s medication delivery service to get their drugs delivered on time to their homes each month.
How Much Do Humana Medicare Advantage Plans Cost?
The cost of Humana health plans can vary, and the amount you pay depends on coverage, benefits, and location.
We’ve provided two examples below to show how much it might cost you to enroll in a Humana health plan and the benefits and costs associated with them.
Just remember that some health insurance companies, including Humana, offer a $0 monthly premium plan. But, you will still have to pay your monthly Medicare costs for Part A and Part B.
Health care insurance companies can offer $0 monthly premium plans for a number of reasons. To learn more, check out our article on zero-premium plans.
Humana offers eight Medicare Advantage policies in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here’s an example of what their plans offered in 2021.
| Plan Name | Is there a monthly premium? | Copayment (Primary Doctor) | Out of Pocket Maximum | Prescription Drugs Tier 1 Copay | Select benefit* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Honor (PPO) | No | $10.00 (in-network) | $10,000.00 | Prescription drug coverage is not included. | Part B premium reduction, dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| Humana Gold Plus H6622-073 (HMO-POS) | No | $10.00 (in-network) | $8,000.00 | $5.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| Humana Value Plus H5216-176 (PPO) | Yes | $20.00 (in-network) | $10,000.00 | $7.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| HumanaChoice H5216-092 (PPO) | Yes | $20.00 (in-network) | $10,000.00 | $4.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| HumanaChoice H5216-080 (PPO) | Yes | $15.00 (in-network) | $8,850.00 | $4.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| HumanaChoice H5216-167 (PPO) | Yes | $0.00 (in-network) | $6,750.00 | $0.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| HumanaChoice H5216-063 (PPO) | Yes | $0.00 (in-network) | $4,500.00 | $0.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| Humana Gold Plus H6622-062 (HMO-POS) | Yes | $0.00 (in-network) | $5,000.00 | $0.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
* Be sure to check each plan to understand coverage limits and options.
**Prices and costs listed here are subject to change and should not be considered as the final amount you will pay for Medicare Advantage coverage. If you would like to find out what a plan might cost you, contact PolicyScout.
As seen above, Humana has a wide variety of plans and pricing options in Minneapolis. This is also true in a large majority of other counties across the country.
Humana offered seven Medicare Advantage policies in Chicago (Cook County). Here's an example of their plan options in 2021.
| Plan Name | Is there a monthly premium? | Copayment (Primary Doctor) | Out of Pocket Maximum | Prescription Drugs Tier 1 Copay | Select benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Gold Plus H1468-013 (HMO) | No | $0.00 | $2,650.00 (In-network) | $0.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| Humana Honor (PPO) | No | $15.00 (In-network) | $10,000.00 | Prescription drug coverage is not included. | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| HumanaChoice H5216-251 (PPO) | No | $0.00 (In-network) | $10,000.00 | $7.00. | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| HumanaChoice R5361-001 (Regional PPO) | No | $20.00 (In-network) | $10,000.00 | Prescription drug coverage is not included. | Limited dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| HumanaChoice H5216-013 (PPO) | Yes | $0.00 (In-network) | $10,000.00 | $6.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| HumanaChoice R5361-002 (Regional PPO) | Yes | 20% of the cost | $10,000.00 | $3.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
| Humana Gold Choice H8145-008 (PFFS) | Yes | $15.00 (In-network) | $6,700.00 | $6.00 | Dental, hearing, vision insurance and more. |
* Be sure to check each plan to understand coverage limits and options.
**Prices and costs listed here are subject to change and should not be considered as the final amount you will pay for Medicare Advantage coverage. If you would like to find out what a plan might cost you, contact PolicyScout.
Humana offers different plans and prices based on location. That’s why it’s essential to research your options before deciding on a provider. Our experienced consultants can help.
If you’re interested in finding a Humana health insurance plan in your county or have a question about Humana insurance, contact PolicyScout today at 1-888-912-2132.
Humana’s Medicare Part D Plans
Part D health insurance plans help people to pay for the costs of prescription medication and other drugs that Medicare doesn’t cover.
In 2021, Humana health insurance offered three Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs). All of these Part D (PDP) plans cost less than $70.00 per month.
These were:
Humana Walmart Value Rx Plan (PDP)
Humana Basic Rx Plan (PDP)
Humana Premier Rx Plan (PDP)
Remember that benefits and costs for each plan will vary based on your medical expenses, your preferred brands of medicine, your plan’s coverage, and where you buy your medication.
How Much Does A Humana Medicare Part D Plan Cost?
The amount you pay for a Humana Medicare Part D plan will also depend on:
Your location
The pharmacy you use
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance amounts
Here’s what you might expect to pay for the different Humana Part D plans in 2021 if you live in Denver, Colorado and use Humana’s preferred retail pharmacies.
| Plan Name | Monthly Premium | Annual Insurance Deductible | Tier 1 Drug Copay | Tier 5 Drug Coinsurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Walmart Value Rx Plan (PDP) | Yes | $445.00 | $1.00 | 25% |
| Humana Basic Rx Plan (PDP) | Yes | $445.00 | $0.00 | 25% |
| Humana Premier Rx Plan (PDP) | Yes | $445.00 | $1.00 | 25% |
* Be sure to check each plan to understand coverage limits and options.
**Prices and costs listed here are subject to change and should not be considered as the final amount you will pay for Medicare Part D coverage. If you would like to find out what a plan might cost you, contact PolicyScout.
Part D plans use a tier system (Tier 1 - 5) to classify what different types of medication will cost and what they will cover. Take a look at this table to understand how the different tiers work.
| Drug Coverage Tiers | |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Preferred generic drugs |
| Tier 2 | Generic drugs |
| Tier 3 | Preferred brand drugs and select insulin drugs |
| Tier 4 | Non-preferred drugs |
| Tier 5 | Specialty drugs |
*Preferred - The brand is on your health insurance provider’s formulary list.
**Non-Preferred - The brand is not on your health insurance provider’s formulary list.
In general, out-of-pocket costs for Tier 1 drugs are minimal and are usually covered by a copayment. Tier 5 drugs are more expensive, and plans typically require that members pay a percentage of the costs.
If you’d like to find out about Humana Prescription Drug plans available in your county and what they might cost, contact PolicyScout to get assistance.
Send us an email at Help@PolicyScout.com or call us at 1-888-912-2132 to speak with one of our consultants.
Medicare Supplement Plans Offered by Humana
Humana also offers Medicare Supplement Plans (also known as Medigap plans). These health plans help to cover the additional costs of healthcare that Medicare doesn’t pay for.
Medicare Supplement Plans offer standardized coverage for Medicare costs and are only available to people who don’t have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D plan.
Here’s an overview of the Supplement Insurance Plans that Humana offered in 2021.
| Benefits | A | B | C | D | F | G | K | L | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Part A Coinsurance and hospital cost up to an additional 365 days after Medicare Benefits are used | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Medicare Part B Coinsurance or copayment | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% |
| Blood (the first 3 pints) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% |
| Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance or copayment | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Care | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | ||
| Part A Deductible | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| Part B Deductible | 100% | 100% | |||||||
| Part B Excess Charges | 100% | 100% | |||||||
| Foreign Travel Emergency (up to plan limits) | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | | | 80% |
How Much Do Humana Medicare Supplement Plans Cost?
In 2021, Humana offers Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, and N. They also offer a high deductible version of Plan F.
Here are some examples of Medicare Supplement Insurance plans rates for a 67-year-old male who lives in Utah and doesn’t use tobacco.
Example - Medicare Supplement Insurance Rates
| Medicare Supplement Insurance | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Plan A | $78.00 - $306.00 |
| Plan B | $120.00 - $338.00 |
| Plan C | $141.00 - $394.00 |
| Plan D | $122.00 - $233.00 |
| Plan F | $122.00 - $414.00 |
| Plan G | $110.00 - $397.00 |
| Plan K | $41.00 - $116.00 |
| Plan L | $70.00 - $231.00 |
| Plan N | $79.00 - $299.00 |
| Plan F (High Deductible) | $35.00 - $66.00 |
**Prices and costs listed here are subject to change and should not be considered as the final amount you will pay for Medicare Supplement Insurance coverage. If you would like to find out what a plan might cost you, contact PolicyScout.
If you want to find out if Humana offers a particular Medicare Supplement Plan in your state, send PolicyScout an email to Help@PolicyScout.com or call one of our Medicare consultants on 1-888-912-2132 today.
How Do I Choose the Right Medicare Plan?
There are over 3,100 Medicare Advantage plans with unique benefits, terms, and costs available today. Choosing the right health insurance policy can be difficult.
It’s always a good idea to research Medicare and the specific Medicare plan you want to join before signing up. This will help you understand the costs and value that you are getting with your plan.
Keep these points in mind if you are thinking about buying a Medicare plan:
Price: Read up on how much the plan will cost you each month, and make sure that you can afford it if your premiums go up.
Benefits: Look at the plan’s benefits and see if it will give you the coverage you need.
Out-of-pocket expenses: Go over the out-of-pocket expenses that your plan doesn’t cover. Make sure you understand your coinsurance, copayments, deductibles, and premiums.
Track record: Do some reading on the company that offers your plan. Look at how long the health insurance company has been operating, check its plan reviews, and determine how many areas they service.
Compare: Look at similar plans in your area before you sign up. Make sure you’re getting the best price, coverage, and benefits.
| About Humana | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Founding Date | 1961 |
| Current CEO | Bruce D. Broussard |
| Coverage Areas | All 50 States, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. |
| Website | https://www.humana.com/ |
| Medicare Members in 2021 | 8.6 million |
Where Can I Learn More about Medicare?
If you’re interested in learning about Medicare or Medicare Advantage, check out our Medicare Hub to learn about enrollments, costs, benefits, and your different options.
At PolicyScout, our goal is to make Medicare accessible to everyone. Our business helps people across the country with their health insurance needs. We hope we can do the same for you.
Speak to one of our experienced Medicare consultants to find out how you can get a plan that is affordable, comprehensive, and suited to you.
You can reach us on 1-888-912-2132 or send an email to Help@PolicyScout.com to get assistance.