Quick answer: Humana is the second-largest Medicare Advantage insurer in the country and one of the biggest names in Medicare overall. For 2027 it offers Medicare Advantage plans (HMO, PPO, PFFS, and Special Needs Plans), standalone Part D prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) coverage, available across 48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Its Medicare Advantage plans typically bundle dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage. For 2027, 95% of its Medicare Advantage members are in plans rated 4 stars or higher, up from about 20% in 2026. It offers broad access and strong benefits, but some plans have exited certain areas, so compare plans in your own ZIP code before enrolling.
Choosing a Medicare plan is one of the most consequential financial and health decisions you will make, and Humana is a name you will encounter constantly while shopping. But is it right for you? This guide gives you an honest, up-to-date look at what Humana Medicare offers for 2027, how its plans work, what its star ratings actually say, the changes that matter this year, and how to compare before you enroll.
Who is Humana?
Humana is one of the largest health insurers in the United States, and in recent years it has reshaped itself into a company focused almost entirely on government-sponsored health coverage for seniors. After exiting the Affordable Care Act marketplace, short-term medical, and employer group commercial plans by 2025, Humana now centers its business on Medicare, Medicaid, and military members.
That focus makes it a major player in Medicare specifically. Alongside UnitedHealthcare and CVS Health’s Aetna, Humana is one of the three largest Medicare Advantage insurers, with a broad national footprint and strong financial stability. It offers Medicare Advantage in 48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
What Medicare plans does Humana offer?
Humana sells the three main types of Medicare coverage a shopper compares. Understanding the difference is the first step to deciding whether Humana fits.
Medicare Advantage (Part C). These are all-in-one plans that replace Original Medicare, bundling your hospital and medical coverage and usually prescription drugs, plus extra benefits. Humana offers several structures, including HMO plans (lower cost, network-based), PPO plans (more provider flexibility), PFFS plans, and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) designed for people with specific conditions or dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility.
Part D prescription drug plans. These are standalone drug plans for people who keep Original Medicare and want prescription coverage added. Humana is one of the largest Part D providers in the country.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap). These plans pair with Original Medicare to help cover out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and coinsurance. They do not include drug coverage, so people often add a Part D plan alongside.
Most shoppers are choosing between two paths: a Humana Medicare Advantage plan that bundles everything, or Original Medicare plus a Humana Medigap and Part D plan. Which is better depends on your health, budget, and how much provider flexibility you want.
Is Humana an HMO or a PPO?
Both. Humana offers Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans, along with Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) in some areas. With an HMO, you generally must use doctors in the plan’s network and may need referrals to see specialists. A PPO lets you see out-of-network providers, usually at a higher cost. The plan type is part of each plan’s name, so check it in the Medicare.gov Plan Finder before you enroll.
What’s included in Humana Medicare Advantage plans
The appeal of Medicare Advantage is the extras that Original Medicare does not cover. Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans generally include dental, vision, and hearing coverage, and in many cases prescription drugs, all in one plan.
For 2026, Humana enhanced some of these benefits, making enhanced dental standard in nearly all counties and adding a vision benefit that includes annual glasses. Many plans also offer over-the-counter allowances and other supplemental perks. As always, the specific benefits, copays, and provider networks vary by plan and location, so the plan available in one county may differ from another.
How Much Does Humana Medicare Cost?
What you pay for Humana Medicare depends on the type of plan and where you live. Humana sets different premiums, copays and out-of-pocket limits in different counties, so there’s no single national price. What’s consistent is the federal framework every plan works within.
Many Humana Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 monthly premium, but $0 doesn’t mean free. You still pay your Medicare Part B premium, plus copays, coinsurance and deductibles when you use care. Federal rules cap how much a Medicare Advantage plan can charge you for covered medical care each year, and a separate cap applies to Part D drugs.
If you choose Original Medicare with a Humana Medigap policy instead, you’ll pay a separate Medigap premium. That premium depends on the plan letter, your age, where you live and how the insurer prices its policies.
| Cost item | What to expect | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan premium (Medicare Advantage) | $0-premium plans are common; others charge a monthly premium. Varies by county. | Medicare.gov Plan Finder |
| Part B premium | Paid by nearly everyone with Part B, even in a $0-premium plan. CMS had not announced the 2027 amount as of November 1, 2026. | Medicare.gov / CMS announcement |
| Medicare Advantage in-network out-of-pocket maximum | Up to $9,850 in 2027 (federal limit); many plans set lower limits. | Plan’s Summary of Benefits |
| Part D deductible | Up to $700 in 2027; many plans charge less. | Medicare.gov Plan Finder |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,400 in 2027; $0 for covered drugs after that. | Medicare.gov |
| Medigap premiums | Vary by plan letter, age, state and insurer. | Humana or your state insurance department |
Humana’s 2027 Medicare Star Ratings (and How 2026 Compared)
Humana’s star ratings improved sharply for 2027. According to Humana’s October 9, 2026 announcement, 95% of its Medicare Advantage members are enrolled in plans rated 4.0 stars or higher, and 42% are in plans rated 4.5 stars. Six of Humana’s Medicare Advantage contracts earned 4.5 stars and 12 earned 4.0 stars, which is 11 more contracts at 4 stars or above than the year before. Humana’s stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan also earned 4.5 stars.
That’s a big change from 2026, when only about 20% of Humana’s Medicare Advantage members were in plans rated 4 stars or higher. Across the industry, about 71% of Medicare Advantage drug plan enrollees are in contracts rated 4 stars or higher for 2027.
Star ratings are assigned by contract, not by company, so the plan offered in your county may score higher or lower than these averages. Before you enroll, look up the exact plan on the Medicare.gov Plan Finder, where each plan’s rating is listed. Medicare’s 5-star Special Enrollment Period, which lets you switch into a 5-star plan outside open enrollment, applies only to 5-star plans. Humana’s 2027 announcement lists no 5-star contracts, so it doesn’t apply to Humana plans this year.
2027 Medicare Changes That Affect Humana Plans
Several federal rule changes take effect January 1, 2027, and they apply to Humana’s Medicare Advantage and Part D plans just as they do to other insurers’ plans.
- Higher Part D out-of-pocket cap: the yearly limit on what you pay for covered drugs rises from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027. Once you reach it, you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.
- Higher maximum Part D deductible: plans can charge a deductible of up to $700 in 2027, up from $615 in 2026. Many plans charge less.
- Higher Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket limits: plans can set an in-network maximum of up to $9,850 in 2027, up from $9,250. PPO plans can set a combined in- and out-of-network limit of up to $14,800.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: you can still choose to spread your Part D drug costs into monthly payments across the year instead of paying large amounts at the pharmacy.
- Check your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC): it shows whether your plan and county are still covered and how your costs, drug list and network will change for 2027. Some Humana plans won’t be offered in 2027, so read it carefully.
Pros and cons of Humana Medicare
The strengths:
- Broad national access, with Medicare Advantage available across most of the country.
- All-in-one convenience, bundling medical, drug, dental, vision, and hearing coverage in many Advantage plans.
- Strong financial stability and a large, established Part D presence.
- A range of plan types, including SNPs for people with specific needs.
The drawbacks:
- Star ratings dipped for 2025 and 2026 before rebounding for 2027, and ratings still vary widely from plan to plan.
- Some service complaints have affected its reputation in recent years.
- Plan exits in some counties reduced choice and may affect provider access locally.
- Network limits are inherent to Medicare Advantage HMOs, which restrict you to in-network providers except in emergencies.
Who might Humana Medicare be good for?
Humana can be a strong fit if you want an all-in-one Medicare Advantage plan with built-in dental, vision, hearing, and drug coverage, you value a large national insurer, and a well-rated Humana plan is available in your ZIP code with your doctors in network. Its wide Part D presence also makes it worth comparing if you are on Original Medicare and shopping for a drug plan.
It may be less ideal if the specific plan in your area has a low star rating, if your preferred doctors are out of network, or if you want the provider freedom of Original Medicare with a Medigap plan. As with any insurer, the right answer depends far more on the specific plan available where you live than on the brand name.
How to compare and enroll in Humana Medicare
Medicare shopping rewards careful comparison. Here is how to approach it:
Know your enrollment window. You can first enroll around your 65th birthday. To switch or join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan for the next year, use the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 lets you change or drop an Advantage plan. Certain life events open special enrollment periods.
Compare plans in your ZIP code. Use the official Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to see the exact Humana plans, costs, and star ratings available where you live, alongside competitors.
Check your doctors and drugs. Confirm your preferred providers are in network and your prescriptions are on the plan’s formulary before choosing.
Weigh total cost, not just premium. Look at premiums, deductibles, copays, out-of-pocket maximums, and the star rating together.
Enroll through an official channel, such as Medicare.gov, Humana directly, or a licensed broker or your free State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for unbiased help.
Frequently asked questions
What Medicare plans does Humana offer?
Humana offers Medicare Advantage plans (including HMO, PPO, PFFS, and Special Needs Plans), standalone Part D prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) coverage. Its Medicare Advantage plans usually bundle dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.
What are Humana’s Medicare star ratings for 2027?
For 2027, 95% of Humana’s Medicare Advantage members are in plans rated 4 stars or higher, and its stand-alone Part D plan earned 4.5 stars. That’s up from about 20% of members in 4-star-plus plans in 2026. Ratings vary by contract, so check the exact plan you’re considering on Medicare.gov.
Is Humana Medicare Advantage good?
It can be, depending on the plan available where you live. Humana offers broad access, strong benefits, and financial stability, and its star ratings rebounded strongly for 2027, though some plans left certain counties. Compare the specific plan’s rating, network, and costs in your ZIP code.
How much does Humana Medicare cost per month?
It depends on your county and plan. Many Humana Medicare Advantage plans charge no monthly premium, but you’ll still owe your Part B premium and costs like copays when you get care. Some plans charge a premium for richer benefits. To see actual prices for your ZIP code, use the Medicare.gov Plan Finder or Humana’s site.
Is Humana an HMO or a PPO?
Humana sells both, plus PFFS plans and Special Needs Plans in some areas. HMOs usually keep you in a set network of doctors and may require referrals. PPOs cost more to use out of network but let you go outside it. The plan’s name in Plan Finder tells you which type it is.
Does Humana Medicare Advantage include dental and vision?
Yes. Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans generally include dental, vision, and hearing coverage, and for 2026 enhanced dental is standard in nearly all counties and the vision benefit includes annual glasses. Specific benefits vary by plan.
Does Humana offer Part D prescription drug plans?
Yes. Humana is one of the largest standalone Part D providers in the country, which suits people on Original Medicare who want drug coverage. Out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,100 per year in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027 across Part D plans.
When can I enroll in a Humana Medicare plan?
You can first enroll around your 65th birthday. The Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7 lets you join or switch Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 allows changes to Advantage plans. Special enrollment periods apply to certain situations.
How do I compare Humana Medicare plans?
Use the official Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov to compare the exact Humana plans, costs, and star ratings in your ZIP code against other insurers, and confirm your doctors and prescriptions are covered before enrolling.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not insurance, financial, or medical advice, and it is not affiliated with or endorsed by Humana. Plan availability, benefits, costs, networks, and star ratings vary by location and change each year. Always verify current details on Medicare.gov or directly with the insurer, and consider speaking with a licensed agent or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program before enrolling.
