Humana Medicare Advantage Review (2026): Cost, Pros & Cons

Humana offers four Medicare Advantage plan types: HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PFFS. Each plan type determines how you access care and which providers you can see, though availability varies by state.

• HMO: HMO plans require you to choose a primary care doctor who coordinates your care and refers you to specialists. You must use in-network providers except for emergency care. These plans carry the lowest premiums but restrict access to in-network providers for non-emergency care.
• HMO-POS: HMO-POS plans work like regular HMOs for in-network care, but you can see out-of-network providers without a referral. Out-of-network care costs more, though coverage is available when you need it.
• PPO: PPO plans let you see any Medicare-approved provider without referrals. In-network care costs less, but out-of-network care is covered at higher costs. PPO plans work best for members who want more control over their health care choices.
• PFFS: PFFS plans allow you to visit any Medicare-approved provider who accepts the plan's payment terms. No referrals are required and there's no provider network to navigate. Not all doctors accept PFFS plans, so confirm acceptance before each appointment.

Humana offers Medicare Advantage plans in 46 states and Washington, D.C., with plans varying widely by location. The company provides the most extensive coverage in Texas and Florida, where seniors can choose from dozens of plan options across multiple plan types.

Seven states, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont, Wyoming and Washington, D.C., have PPO plans only, with no HMO or HMO-POS options. Seniors in those states pay the PPO out-of-pocket maximum of $7,200 on average, with no access to the lower $4,856 HMO ceiling. Texas leads with 50 plans across HMO, PPO and PFFS tiers. Florida has 40 plans, the second-highest total.

Humana's Medicare Advantage plans earn an average CMS Star Rating of 3.66 out of 5, 0.15 below the national average of 3.81. CMS star ratings measure plan quality based on customer service, care coordination, member satisfaction and health outcomes.

Humana's PPO plans score 0.23 above the national PPO average and PFFS plans score 0.25 above the national PFFS average. At 3.57 versus a national HMO-POS average of 4.01, Humana's HMO-POS plans fall 0.44 below benchmark.

For HMO-POS members, that rating difference shows up in care coordination scores, customer service responsiveness and health outcome tracking. Members managing chronic conditions or frequent specialist visits are more likely to feel that gap than healthy members who use the plan infrequently. Before enrolling in a Humana HMO-POS plan, compare the star ratings of plans in your county against what's available from other carriers. County-level ratings vary and may differ from the statewide averages shown here.

Sixty-five percent of Humana Medicare Advantage plans carry $0 monthly premiums, based on MoneyGeek's analysis of CMS data. The average monthly cost across all plan types is $25. Seniors on fixed incomes will find that most plans carry no monthly premium.

Humana’s HMO Medicare Advantage plans are the cheapest option, with 83% offering $0 premiums and an average monthly cost of $3, which is $23 below the national average. These plans also feature the lowest out-of-pocket maximum at $4,856. HMO-POS plans closely follow with 89% at $0 premium and $2 average monthly cost. 

PPO plans cost more but offer greater provider flexibility, with an average cost of $14 per month. However, PPO plans carry the highest out-of-pocket maximum at $7,200, which is $934 above the national average. PFFS plans average $27 monthly with a $6,578 out-of-pocket maximum. 

Humana's PPO out-of-pocket maximum of $7,200 is $934 above the national PPO average. PPO plans earn above-average CMS Star Ratings at 3.86, so members are paying for a plan that performs well on quality measures. But a senior who hits the $7,200 PPO ceiling pays $2,344 more per year than a Humana HMO member at the $4,856 cap. For members who expect high medical use, frequent specialist visits, ongoing prescriptions or planned procedures, the HMO's $4,856 out-of-pocket maximum is the more cost-protective choice. The HMO average is also $51 below the national HMO average. That gives HMO plans a cost edge on both the premium and the out-of-pocket maximum.

Humana's Medicare Advantage plans cover dental, vision, hearing and prescription drugs, benefits Original Medicare doesn't include. Many plans offer $0 copays for Tier 1 and Tier 2 medications at preferred pharmacies, covering most common generics at no cost.

• Dental coverage: Most Humana plans, including the Humana Gold Plus HMO series, include dental benefits covering preventive care such as cleanings and X-rays, plus restorative services including fillings, crowns and deep cleanings. Annual dental benefit caps vary by plan and county. Check the Summary of Benefits for your plan to confirm restorative coverage limits before enrolling.
• Vision and hearing benefits: All 2026 Humana plans include routine vision coverage for eye exams and eyewear. Hearing benefits cover exams and hearing aids. Original Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids, and out-of-pocket costs without coverage run $3,000 to $6,000 per device.
• Prescription drug coverage: Most Humana Medicare Advantage plans, including HumanaChoice PPO plans, include Part D drug coverage. Many plans offer $0 copays for Tier 1 and Tier 2 medications at preferred pharmacies, covering most generics at no cost. Preventive services are also covered at $0, including mammograms, colonoscopies, bone density exams and routine vaccines.
• Primary care and preventive services: Many plans feature unlimited primary care visits with $0 copays at in-network providers. Preventive services, including mammograms, colonoscopies, bone density exams and routine vaccines, are also covered at $0.
• Special Needs Plans: Humana's Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs) include additional care coordination support, music therapy sessions designed by certified therapists and transportation benefits for members with chronic conditions.

Humana Medicare Advantage plan availability varies by state and county. Use the table below to review options in your area and compare offerings across plan types.

All six Florida HMO plans shown carry $0 monthly premiums, but their out-of-pocket maximums range from $500 to $2,400. The Humana Gold Plus H1036-054C plan's $500 maximum is the lowest among these plans, a $1,900 difference compared to others at the $2,400 ceiling.

Humana's 4.4 out of 5 MoneyGeek score reflects a plan that prices well and covers a lot of ground. Its HMO plans are among the lowest-cost Medicare Advantage options in the country at $3 per month on average and its PPO plans earn a 3.86 CMS Star Rating, above the national average. Seniors who want low premiums and don't need the highest-rated HMO in their market will find Humana a sound choice. The wrong fit is an HMO-POS buyer who prioritizes care coordination quality or a high-utilization PPO member who needs a lower out-of-pocket ceiling than $7,200. Those two profiles should compare other carriers in their county before enrolling.

MoneyGeek evaluated Medicare Advantage plans nationwide using a scoring system that weighs quality, affordability and availability. We analyzed data on all Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify the best plans across different plan types.

Scoring System

Our methodology evaluates three factors to identify plans that deliver the best value for your health care needs:

• Affordability (50%): Cost makes up half of our overall score because it directly affects your budget. We evaluated monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage combined (30% weight) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (20% weight). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP amounts score higher, since they reduce total annual health care spending.
• Star Ratings (40%): CMS ratings measure plan quality across categories like care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction. The Overall Star Rating combines both Part C (medical coverage) and Part D (prescription drug) ratings on a scale from 1 to 5 stars.
• Availability (10%): Geographic reach accounts for the remaining 10%. Providers available in more states are more likely to maintain coverage if you move and tend to have more resources for customer support and plan improvements.