The bottom line: Humana Medicare Advantage is available in most counties, and the Part B Giveback benefit on a majority of its plans is a plus, but the company’s star ratings and member experience scores dropped for 2025 plans. Jump to: Full Review
Humana Medicare Advantage pros and cons
Pros
- Widely available: With plans available in 89% of U.S. counties, Humana is an option for most Americans.
- Veteran-focused plans: Humana USAA Honor plans are designed to work with veteran benefits to provide a complete package of health care for those who served.
- Giveback benefits: About 6 in 10 Humana plans offer a Part B Giveback benefit, which means the plan covers some portion of your Medicare Part B premium.
Cons
- Star ratings decline: Only 24% of Humana plans are rated 4 stars or higher for 2025, compared to 87% for 2024.
- Unhappy members: Humana’s scores for customer satisfaction dropped in several major Medicare markets since last year, landing below the regional average in most, according to J.D. Power’s latest study.
- High cost limits: Humana’s average maximum out-of-pocket limit on plans is the highest of the major providers.
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Our full review
Why trust NerdWallet
45+ Medicare companies and brands analyzed by our team of experts.
30+ years of combined experience covering Medicare and personal finance.
Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet’s Medicare content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in Medicare. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets. They have been cited in publications including Healthline, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast.
Humana Medicare Advantage star ratings
Average star rating, weighted by enrollment: 3.63
Humana Medicare Advantage plans are rated below the industry average, receiving an average rating of 3.63 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2025, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted star rating for plans from all providers is 3.96.
Only 25% of Humana's Medicare Advantage members who are in rated plans are in plans rated 4 stars or more for the 2025 plan year. No Humana plans in 2025 received 5 stars.
CMS maintains its own database of star ratings on every Medicare Advantage and separate Medicare Part D plan, ranging from best (5 stars) to worst (1 star). The agency bases these ratings on plans’ quality of care and measurements of customer satisfaction, and ratings may change from year to year.
All Medicare Advantage plans are evaluated on health plan measures, and Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage are also evaluated on drug plan measures.
You can find a plan's rating with the Medicare plan finding tool.
What does Humana Medicare Advantage cost?
About half (49%) of Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans in 2025 have a $0 monthly premium. You'll also be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is at least $185 per month in 2025.
(Most people pay this standard Part B amount, but if your income is above a certain threshold, you'll pay the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). Some Medicare Advantage plans cover part or all of your Part B premium.)
Requirements for copays, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on your plan, location and the services you use. Other out-of-pocket costs to consider include:
Whether the plan covers any part of your monthly Medicare Part B premium.
The plan's deductibles.
Copayments and/or coinsurance for each visit or service. For instance, there may be a $10 copay for seeing your primary doctor and a $45 copay for seeing a specialist.
The plan’s in-network and out-of-network out-of-pocket maximums.
Whether your medical providers are in-network or out-of-network, or how often you may go out of network for care.
Whether you require extra benefits, and if the plan charges for them.
Here are examples of Humana Medicare Advantage costs for some popular plans in a mid-range city:
Humana Medicare Advantage plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
HumanaChoice (PPO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: $330. Out-of-pocket max: $3,600 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $2,000. |
Humana Gold Plus (HMO-POS) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: $525. Out-of-pocket max: $3,000 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $1,000. |
Humana USAA Honor Giveback (PPO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $4,500 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $6,000. |
Selected plans are available in ZIP code 66013. *Inpatient hospital copay is per day for days 1-5. **Inpatient hospital copay is per day for days 1-7. | |
To get a sense of costs, use Medicare’s plan finding tool to compare information among available plans in your area. You can select by insurance carrier to see only Humana plans, or compare across carriers.
Humana Medicare Advantage plan types
Humana offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans as well as stand-alone prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans without drug coverage. And Humana and USAA have partnered to offer the Humana USAA Honor Giveback plan — part of the Humana Honor portfolio designed for veterans — that offers a Part B Giveback.
Other plan offerings include the following types:
- HMO plans
A Medicare health maintenance organization (HMO) generally requires that you use a specific network of doctors and hospitals. You may need a referral from your primary doctor in order to see a specialist, and out-of-network benefits are usually very limited.
- HMO-POS plans
HMO point-of-service plans are HMO plans that allow members to get some out-of-network services, but you’ll pay more for those services.
- PPO plans
Medicare preferred provider organization (PPO) plans provide the most freedom, allowing you to see any provider that accepts the insurance. You may not need to choose a primary doctor, and you don’t need referrals to see specialists. You can seek out-of-network care, although it may cost more than seeing an in-network doctor.
- PFFS plans
Humana’s private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans allow you to see any Medicare-approved provider who accepts your Humana plan. You won’t have to pick a primary doctor, and you won’t need a referral to see a specialist.
- SNPs
Special needs plans (SNPs) restrict membership to people with certain diseases or characteristics. Hence, the benefits, network and drug formularies are tailored to the needs of those members. Humana offers two types of SNPs:
Chronic Condition SNP: For people with one or more conditions such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure or chronic lung disorders.
Dual-Eligible SNP: For people who are entitled to Medicare and who also qualify for assistance from a state Medicaid program.
Third-party ratings of Humana
AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A (Excellent) for most
AM Best is a credit rating agency that specializes in the insurance industry. In December 2024, AM Best affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) for Humana Health Group.
AM Best downgraded the FSR to B+ (Good) from B++ (Good) for Humana Insurance of Puerto Rico Inc. and Humana Health Plans of Puerto Rico Inc., which are Humana subsidiaries.
An A rating in this category indicates that AM Best believes Humana has an excellent ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations. (The two subsidiaries with a B+ rating are deemed to have a “good” ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations.)
J.D. Power Ranking
In its 2024 U.S. Medicare Advantage Study — the 10th it's done so far — J.D. Power measured member satisfaction with Medicare Advantage plans based on eight factors ranging from level of trust to how well a provider resolves problems or complaints. The study was fielded in the 10 biggest state Medicare markets, and here’s how Humana ranked out of all major providers:
California: 7th out of 8.
Florida: 5th out of 6.
Georgia: 2nd out of 4.
Illinois: 3rd out of 5.
Michigan: 4th out of 4.
New York: 5th out of 5.
North Carolina: 4th out of 4.
Ohio: 3rd out of 4.
Pennsylvania: 7th out of 7.
Texas: 2nd out of 6.
NCQA Score Range: 2.5 to 4.0 out of 5
The National Committee for Quality Assurance rates health insurance plans on a 5-point scale (with 5 being best) based on quality of care, patient satisfaction and health plans’ efforts to keep improving.
In its September 2024 ratings of Humana plans, the NCQA awarded ratings between 2.5 and 4.0 stars. About 10% of the rated plans received a 4.0, and the rest received a 3.5 or lower. Five plans received a 2.5 rating.
Humana Medicare Advantage service area
Humana offers Medicare Advantage plans in 48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Humana Medicare Advantage plans are available in 89% of U.S. counties.
Humana is the second-largest for-profit Medicare Advantage provider, but lost 259,000 Medicare Advantage members for the 2025 plan year, according to health care analytics firm Chartis. More than 5.7 million Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan.
About Humana
Humana is a health insurance company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Its insurance offerings include Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Medicaid coverage and dental and vision plans.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other Humana Medicare offerings:
Humana customer service
Humana members can contact their plan’s customer service in the following ways:
Call 800-457-4708 (TTY: 711), which is available daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Use online chat, after you've logged into your account.
Are Medicare and Humana Medicare Advantage the same?
Original Medicare is federal government-provided health insurance for people 65 and older and those under 65 with certain conditions or disabilities. Medicare Advantage is a bundled alternative to Original Medicare, provided by private insurance companies like Humana, that provides the same coverage as Original Medicare, and usually prescription drug coverage.
Compare Medicare Advantage providers
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage providers. These insurers offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.
Find the right Medicare Advantage plan
It’s important to do your research before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan for yourself. Here are some questions to consider asking:
What are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred medical provider or providers, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, it’s crucial to understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
Are there extras? Does the plan offer any extra benefits, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
- Plans available for most Americans.
- Above-average member experience scores among major providers.
- Part B Giveback benefit in 61% of plans.
- Only 24% of plans are rated 4 stars or higher.
- Customer satisfaction scores are low in several major markets.
- Average out-of-pocket maximums are on the high side.
Frequently asked questions
Is Humana Gold Plus a Medicare Advantage plan?
Is Humana Gold Plus a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes, Humana Gold Plus is an HMO Medicare Advantage plan offered in most states that Humana operates in. Because it’s a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan, you’ll need to choose a primary care physician within the Humana network who can provide referrals to see specialists.
Is HumanaChoice PPO a Medicare Advantage plan?
Is HumanaChoice PPO a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes, HumanaChoice PPO is a Medicare Advantage plan offered in every state Humana operates in. Because it’s a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan, you can see any Medicare-approved medical provider who accepts the plan, although you’ll typically pay more if they’re not in Humana’s network.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2025 Star Ratings Data Tables (ZIP). Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2025 Landscape (202412) (ZIP). Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 3.AM Best. AM Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of Humana Health of Puerto Rico Group’s Subsidiaries; Affirms Credit Ratings of Humana Inc. and Most of Its Health Insurance Subsidiaries. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 4.J.D. Power. Regional Medicare Advantage Plans Have Higher Customer Satisfaction than Commercial Member Health Plans, J.D. Power Finds. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 5.NCQA. Health Plans. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 6.Chartis. Medicare Advantage market growth slows amid intensified headwinds. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies; in many places, one insurer serves more than half of the market. NerdWallet reviewed 26 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurers having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.) At the national level, these reviews include nine of the 10 largest brands by enrollment. At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in 47 of the 49 states that offer Medicare Advantage plans, and includes the top two insurers in 35 of those states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as pricing, plan availability by state, plan types available, consumer experience, extra benefits offered and more. These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans
Insurance company | CMS star rating | States available | Members in high-rated plans | Member experience | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(855) 821-0556 / TTY 711 Call UnitedHealthcarefrom UnitedHealthcare | |||||
3.95 | 3.95/5 | 49 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.41 (Average) | |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | |||||
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.63 | 3.63/5 | 48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico | Low (49% or less) | 3.62 (Above average) |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | |||||
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.29 | 4.29/5 | 44 states and Washington, D.C. | High (85% to 100%) | 4.01 (Above average) |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | |||||
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.97 | 3.97/5 | 29 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.82 (Above average) |