Available Humana Medicare Advantage Plans
Humana Medicare Advantage Plans are an alternative to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Humana’s plans cover Part A and and Part B along with other benefits, such as prescription drug coverage and routine vision, hearing, and dental care.
Humana offers four different types of Medicare Advantage plans, but your specific number of plan options will vary based on your location. To help you out, the Humana website will compile a list of recommended plans based on questions you answer about your current prescriptions, current doctors, and your veteran status. Then, you can directly compare the options that you’re interested in.
Below, we’ll take a look at the different types of plans offered through Humana. Just know that benefits and plan availability may change based on your location.
HMO Plans
Humana’s health maintenance organization (HMO) plans offer medical and prescription drug coverage. With an HMO plan, you need to select a primary care physician (PCP) from a local provider network, whom you can see as often as you need. You can change your selection at any time, but you’ll still need to choose from a list of in-network PCPs. Humana’s HMO plans also require referrals for specialists, so this plan might be a hassle for seniors who regularly see specialists.
Other benefits of Humana HMO plans include routine dental, vision, and hearing care, the SilverSneakers fitness program, and an OTC drugs and supplies allowance. Some plans come with a Healthy Foods Card or meal delivery service, while others include an insulin savings program, which is worth looking into if you have diabetes.
Humana’s HMO plans are best for older adults and other beneficiaries who:
- Want to spend as little money as possible
- Don’t typically see specialists
- Have doctors that participate in-network with Humana
PPO Plans
If you want more choice in what doctors you see, consider a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan from Humana. With this plan type, you can visit any Medicare-approved doctor, even if they’re out of Humana’s provider network. However, you will typically pay more if you choose an out-of-network provider. Generally, Humana’s PPO plans cost more than HMO plans, but you get the benefit of greater flexibility in choosing your doctors. Plus, you don’t need referrals for any services.
Along with Original Medicare benefits, PPO plans may include the same extra benefits you can get with HMO plans.
Humana’s PPO plans are best for older adults and other beneficiaries who:
- Want more flexibility in choosing care providers
- See specialists and don’t want to deal with referrals
- Don’t mind paying a little more in premiums
PFFS Plans
Humana’s private fee-for-service (PFFS) plan type lets you see most Medicare-approved doctors. The only catch is that the doctor must accept the Humana PFFS terms and conditions of payment. Humana decides how much the plan will pay for services and how much you will pay. PFFS plan benefits might include prescription drug coverage, full coverage for annual preventive screenings, hospitalization coverage, and emergency coverage domestically and internationally.
Many Humana PFFS plans also come with an OTC allowance for over-the-counter medications or first-aid supplies and a SilverSneakers fitness program membership.
Humana’s PPO plans are best for older adults and other beneficiaries who:
- Don’t want to choose a PCP
- Want more flexibility regarding which providers they can see
- See specialists and don’t want to deal with referrals
- Don’t mind paying higher out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network healthcare services
Humana Special Needs Plans
Humana also offers special needs plans (SNPs) for people who have specific conditions. An SNP plan can also be an HMO or a PPO. However, SNPs must always include Original Medicare benefits plus prescription drug coverage. Other benefits may include routine dental, vision, and hearing care, an OTC allowance, a SilverSneakers membership, and a Healthy Foods Card.
Humana’s Chronic Condition SNPs cater to Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure, and/or chronic lung disorders. The company’s Dual-Eligible SNP is for individuals who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. It combines your Medicare and Medicaid benefits in one plan that’s easy to manage.
Humana’s SNP plans are best for (and only for) older adults and other beneficiaries who:
- Have a qualifying chronic health condition
- Are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
- Live in one of the 28 states that Humana SNPs are offered in2
FYI: Humana also offers 9 out of the 10 standard Medigap plans to supplement your Original Medicare. Options vary based on your location. For more details, check out our Humana Medigap plans review.