Humana Medicare Gap Coverage – Costs, Benefits, and Reviews
If you’re weighing your options for Medicare gap coverage, understanding Humana’s offerings is a key step.
Our guide cuts through the clutter to present what Humana Medicare gap coverage entails, including its costs and benefits, to help you make a fully informed decision.
With an objective analysis of user reviews and comparisons, you’ll navigate the details of Humana’s Medigap plans with ease.
Key Takeaways
- Humana Medigap plans provide supplemental coverage with added benefits such as a large network of doctors, prescription drug coverage, wellness programs, a 24/7 nurse hotline, and travel coverage.
- Humana offers a variety of Medigap plans across 49 states and D.C., with options including high-deductible plans and stable rate increases, making its coverage adaptable to varying healthcare and financial needs.
- Enrollment in Humana Medigap plans is facilitated through an online platform and help from licensed sales agents, with customer satisfaction rates showing improvement according to recent American Customer Satisfaction Index reports.
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Understanding Humana Medicare Gap Coverage
Humana Medigap plans to fill the gaps of Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) by covering out-of-pocket expenses. This expands Humana Medicare Supplement coverage for health services not included in Original Medicare.
These Medicare Supplement insurance plans are tailored to a variety of healthcare and financial requirements, promoting members’ ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
What makes Humana stand tall in the crowd is the extra advantages it provides to its policyholders, giving it a competitive edge.
Some of these advantages include:
- Access to a large network of doctors and hospitals
- Prescription drug coverage
- Wellness programs and discounts
- 24/7 nurse hotline
- Travel coverage
With these additional Medicare benefits complementing the basic benefits, Humana Medigap plans offer comprehensive coverage and peace of mind for Medicare beneficiaries.
However, not all glitters are gold. Humana’s Medicare Supplement insurance plans have garnered a significant number of complaints, precisely 223% more than the industry average.
This is an important factor potential customers should consider before making their choice.
Despite these complaints, Humana Medicare plans offer a wide range of plan types and extra benefits that are not typically offered by competitors, such as fitness and meal delivery programs.
Key Features of Humana Medigap Plans
Humana Medigap plans come with a plethora of features that cater to the diverse needs of policyholders. These features include a variety of plans, additional benefits, and stable premium rate increases.
But what exactly are these plans, and what do they offer? We shall examine the details.
Plan Variety
Humana provides a wide range of Medigap plans, such as the Humana Plan A, Plan B, Plan F, and the high-deductible version of Plan F.
These plans are available in 49 states and Washington D.C. This wide array of options ensures that there’s a plan for everyone, catering to the diverse healthcare needs of individuals.
However, bear in mind that Plan F is only accessible to those eligible for Medicare before 2020.
For those seeking coverage but are on a tight budget, Humana offers a solution – high deductible plan options for Medigap Plans F and G. This expands the range of their plan structures to accommodate various budgetary requirements, ensuring no one is left behind when it comes to healthcare coverage.
Additional Benefits
Humana goes beyond providing basic healthcare coverage. It enhances the Humana coverage experience of policyholders by offering additional services and discounts including fitness programs, meal delivery, and a 24/7 nurse line.
These supplementary benefits provide added value beyond basic coverage and can greatly influence your overall satisfaction and healthcare experience.
However, keep in mind that these supplementary benefits may vary depending on the plan and the resident’s state. It’s always advisable to review the details of each plan to ascertain the specific supplementary benefits they provide.
Stable Rate Increases
When it comes to premium rates, stability is key. With Humana, premium rates for Medigap plans generally experience an annual increase of approximately 3-5%. This stability ensures predictability for policyholders, allowing for better financial planning.
However, the rate of increase varies across the different Humana Medigap plans. For instance, Plan F experiences an approximate 5% increase, Plan G sees a 4% increase, and Plan N sees a rise of about 3%.
Over the years, Humana has maintained a relatively stable premium base rate increase, typically averaging in the 4% to 5% range. Additionally, members may experience an ageing increase of 0% to 3% depending on their age.
Popular Humana Medigap Plans
Among the Medigap plans offered by Humana, three plans stand out due to their popularity – Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N. Each of these plans has its own unique offerings and benefits that cater to a diverse range of healthcare needs.
Plan F
Humana’s Plan F offers the most comprehensive benefits among all 12 lettered plans, making it the best option for those seeking extensive coverage.
From full coverage of Medicare Part B excess charges to international travel emergency coverage, Plan F leaves no stone unturned when it comes to healthcare coverage.
However, with the onset of 2020, new Medicare members are no longer eligible to enroll in Plan F, resulting in some restrictions on enrollment.
For newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries, Humana offers Plan G as a highly recommended alternative, offering a comparable level of comprehensive coverage.
Plan G
Humana’s Plan G offers extensive coverage and reduces healthcare expenses. Offering the highest-coverage option for new Medicare members, it includes all the benefits of Plan F, except for coverage for the Medicare Part B deductible.
Moreover, Plan G covers 100% of Medicare Part B excess charges, thereby lowering your healthcare costs significantly.
Plan G’s benefits include:
- Coverage for skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Part A deductible for hospitalization
- Medical emergency assistance when traveling outside of the United States
This plan, developed by a licensed insurance agent, truly goes the extra mile in ensuring comprehensive coverage for its members, as approved by insurance commissioners.
Plan N
Plan N offers a balance between benefits and coverage at a more affordable price. This plan is ideal for individuals with fewer healthcare requirements, offering full coverage for Medicare Part B coinsurance expenses.
However, it’s worth noting that participants of Plan N will encounter a $20 co-payment for office visits and a $50 co-payment for emergency room visits.
It is interesting to note that Humana’s quoted prices for Medigap Plan N were about 51% higher than the most affordable Plan N policy available in the region.
This discrepancy can significantly impact consumers’ decision-making process when selecting a plan. Therefore, anticipate these additional out-of-pocket costs in addition to the premium when considering Plan N.
Factors Affecting Humana Medigap Premiums
Various factors come into play when it comes to the premiums for Humana Medigap plans.
Some of these factors include:
- The applicant’s age
- The applicant’s location
- The applicant’s tobacco use
- The type of plan chosen (e.g. Plan A, Plan F, etc.)
- The applicant’s health status
Additionally, the Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a golden window for obtaining reduced premiums.
During this period, companies like Humana are prohibited from employing medical underwriting, which means they cannot refuse coverage or impose higher rates based on preexisting conditions, thereby ensuring applicants receive the most favorable rates.
The monthly premiums for a Humana Medicare Supplement plan are affected by a variety of factors, including:
- The applicant’s age
- Tobacco use
- Physical location
- Personal healthcare needs
- Choice of plan
These factors significantly influence the premium price.
How to Enroll in a Humana Medigap Plan
Enrolling in a Humana Medigap plan is a straightforward process. Humana provides a user-friendly online platform for thorough research and comparison of various plan options.
To ease the decision-making process, you have the option to compare different Humana Medigap plans side by side using your ZIP code, thereby helping you select the most suitable plan.
At times, the enrollment process may appear complex. In such instances, you can reach out to a licensed Humana sales agent for assistance with enrolling in a Medigap plan.
To finalize your enrollment in a Humana Medigap plan, you will need to provide either your Medicare card or a letter from the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board.
These documents are necessary to complete the enrollment process. With these in hand, you can complete the form and submit your official enrollment election to Humana.
Expert Opinions on Humana Medigap
Humana has earned accolades from experts for its extensive infrastructure and competitive rates for its Medigap plans.
However, experts also caution potential policyholders about potential rate hikes for older members due to the discontinuation of older plans for new customers, leading to higher rate increases over time.
Humana Medigap Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is a key indicator of the service quality of a company. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index in 2021, Humana’s Medigap plans have a customer satisfaction rate of 74%.
In 2022, this rating increased to 77 out of 100, indicating favorable customer feedback.
Another noteworthy aspect of Humana’s Medigap plans is its medical loss ratio of 80%, which signifies that a substantial portion of premiums is allocated toward medical claims.
Humana has also received an A- (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating by AM Best for most of its health and dental subsidiaries, showcasing its strong financial accountability and reliability.
Comparing Humana to Other Medigap Providers
The rates of other Medigap providers compared to Humana vary depending on the specific plan and location.
While Humana offers competitive rates, it is recommended to compare different types of Medicare Supplement plans and their costs to find the most suitable option.
Humana also stands out for providing competitive supplementary services such as fitness programs, meal delivery, and a 24/7 nurse line.
However, note that Humana’s Medigap plans have a complaint rate triple the industry average, suggesting a higher complaint ratio for Humana.
According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index in 2021, Humana’s Medigap plans have a customer satisfaction rate of 74%, offering insight into Humana’s standing.
Tips for Choosing the Right Humana Medigap Plan
Selecting the appropriate Humana Medigap Plan is not a one-size-fits-all process. It’s important to consider the desired benefits and future needs, review and compare Medicare Supplement plans, and compare insurance companies to ensure the selection of a plan that aligns with individual requirements.
The premium cost for various Humana Medigap plans may differ depending on factors like location and the specific plan selected. Comparing the different types of Medicare Supplement plans provided by Humana is necessary to accurately assess the premium costs for each plan.
Additionally, considering additional benefits when selecting a Humana Medigap plan is essential as these benefits provide added value beyond basic coverage.
Some of the additional benefits offered by Humana Medigap plans include:
- Coverage for prescription drugs
- Vision and dental coverage
- Fitness and wellness programs
- Access to nurse advice lines
- Discounts on hearing aids
Taking these additional benefits into account can help you choose a Humana Medigap plan that best meets your needs and budget.
Summary
In a nutshell, Humana Medigap offers a comprehensive range of plans with additional benefits and competitive rates. However, potential enrollees should be mindful of factors such as the high complaint rate and potential rate hikes for older members.
With a variety of plan options and benefits, Humana Medigap plans to cater to diverse healthcare needs and budgets. It’s crucial to review and compare plans, consider premium costs, and assess additional benefits to choose the right plan that suits your unique needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
→ What is gap coverage with Humana?
Gap coverage with Humana refers to the phase where you pay more for prescription drugs after spending $3,750 and lasts until you reach $5,000 in spending.
This is known as the Coverage Gap, or “Donut Hole.”
→ What is the donut hole in 2023 for Medicare?
In 2023, the Medicare donut hole begins once you and your insurance plan have collectively spent $4,660.
At this point, you will pay 25% of the cost of your prescriptions, both brand-name and generic.
→ What plans are plans to fill gaps in Medicare coverage?
Consider purchasing a Medigap policy to help cover costs that Original Medicare does not, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments.
It provides insurance through a private company and helps fill the gaps in Medicare coverage.
→ What additional benefits are provided to Humana Medigap policyholders?
Humana Medigap policyholders receive additional benefits such as fitness programs, meal delivery, and access to a 24/7 nurse line to support their healthcare needs.
These benefits can provide valuable support and convenience for policyholders.
→ What is the annual percentage increase in Humana Medigap plan premiums?
The annual percentage increase in Humana Medigap plan premiums is typically around 3-5%.
ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company
Russell Noga is the CEO of ZRN Health & Financial Services, and head content editor of several Medicare insurance online publications. He has over 15 years of experience as a licensed Medicare insurance broker helping Medicare beneficiaries learn about Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap insurance, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.