Humana Medicare Insurance Plans
Humana Medicare Advantage and Humana Medicare Supplemental Plans
Nov 3, 2009
Beneficiaries of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) have the option to buy private insurance policies approved by and considered a part of the national Medicare Program. Among the many private insurance companies providing Medicare coverage, the Humana insurance conglomerate offers a broad range of Medicare insurance options, from comprehensive Medicare Advantage Plans to Medigap supplemental insurance.
Humana Insurance – Humana Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans, which offer base Original Medicare insurance coverage as well as additional benefits—such as prescription drug coverage, vision, and dental—are sold by private insurance companies. Humana Medicare health insurance plans in the Advantage category are broad, and include the following:
- Humana Gold Choice Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) – these Humana insurance plans are popular because they don't force beneficiaries to seek doctors within restricted networks. Rather, beneficiaries are able to choose any provider and facility which accepts Humana insurance. Humana PFFS plans have a monthly premium payment schedule, and provide prescription drug coverage equal to or better than Medicare Part D.
- Humana Gold Plus HMO - these Humana insurance plans have lower out-of-pocket expenses, primarily because beneficiaries must stay within narrow health provider networks. Prescription drug coverage is offered at or beyond a Medicare Part D level, and copayments are lower than with more expensive PPO plans.
- HumanaChoicePPO - these Humana insurance plans provide more flexibility in that beneficiaries may choose any doctor or medical facility they wish. However, in-network providers cost less, as beneficiaries are penalized with higher costs for going out of the recommended network. This medicare insurance plan offers prescription drug coverage at or beyond Medicare Part D levels as well.
As with all Medicare Advantage plans, all of the Humana health insurance plans listed above offer standard Original Medicare insurance coverage along with the various expanded coverages tied to each plan.
Humana Insurance – Humana Medicare Part D Plans
Medicare Part D is a privately provided medicare supplement which adds prescription drug coverage for those Medicare insurance beneficiaries who choose to enroll. Humana insurance offers Humana Medicare D plans (also known as Prescription Drug Plans, or PDP), and include the following:
- Humana PDP Standard – this plan offers basic coverage, and is for those who do not have demanding prescription drug needs at the time of purchasing. However, since Medicare Part D plans can be switched at a later date, and because it's possible to incur a late enrollment fee for those who enroll years after they are eligible, a Humana standard plan can protect against future costs.
- Humana PDP Enhanced – this plan offers broad coverage, and is intended for those Medicare insurance beneficiaries who have moderate prescription drug needs.
- Humana PDP Complete – this plan offers maximum coverage, and is intended for those who need a comprehensive medicare supplement for intense prescription drug demands.
Humana Insurance – Humana Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)
Medigap is a medicare supplement meant to bridge gaps in one's Medicare coverage; Medigap plans are offered by private insurers, one of which is Humana. Since Medicare supplements are intended to bridge any number of Medicare benefits for beneficiaries, there are a vast number of different plans (categorized A-L), all of which differ by particular coverages offered and by the states/regions in which they are sold.
For more information on Medigap policies, or any of the other information contained in this article, click on any link for Humana or visit their website (from which the information for this article was gleaned).
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