Many of Humana's plans offer a Part B Giveback benefit, meaning the plan pays some portion of members' Medicare Part B premiums, but its star ratings could be better.
UnitedHealthcare offers $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans in most states and has a large provider network, but it doesn’t always score well on customer satisfaction surveys.
Here’s a look at how Humana and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage compare.
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
Humana plans are widely available, and many offer Part B Giveback benefits, but star ratings and customer satisfaction could be better.
Pros
Many plans include Part B Giveback benefits.
Available in 85% of U.S. counties.
Veteran-focused plans offered with USAA.
Cons
Customer satisfaction scores are low in most major markets surveyed.
Star ratings could be better.
Out-of-pocket maximums are on the high side.
Other factors to consider
Provider size | 2nd-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | More than 5.7 million. |
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher | 23%. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 57%. |
Plans available | HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS, SNP. |
Humana Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of Humana Medicare Advantage plans
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans with $0 premiums are widely available and have a large Medicare Advantage provider network, but the company gets below-average results for customer satisfaction in more than half of the major Medicare markets surveyed by J.D. Power.
Pros
Large Medicare Advantage medical network with nearly 1 million providers.
Available with $0 premiums in 45 states.
Cons
Plans with premiums can be expensive.
Customer experience might vary by location.
Other factors to consider
Provider size | Largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | More than 9.8 million. |
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher | 68%. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 60%. |
Plans available | HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS, SNP. |
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans
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?
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
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.