Humana Inc (NYSE: HUM) announced that its Medicare Advantage plans for 2020 are designed to deliver “more ways to care for the whole person through affordable health benefits and wellness programs with added convenience.”
Highlights of Humana’s 2020 Medicare Advantage plans include:
- Dental, hearing, and vision coverage; fitness program memberships; home-delivered meals following an inpatient hospital stay, and an allowance for over-the-counter personal care items, at no additional cost, with most Humana Medicare Advantage plans;
- Home support and resources for caregivers, rides to medical appointments and the gym, and acupuncture with select Humana Medicare Advantage plans;
- A new Medicare Advantage plan, called Humana Honor, that’s designed with US military veterans in mind.
- Expanded Special Needs Plans (SNP) for Dual-Eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) members with nearly 100 such plans across 28 states offered for 2020.
“Humana is committed to demonstrating more ways to care for our millions of Medicare members across the country by providing them new tools, technologies, and services that support their health and active aging,” said Alan Wheatley, president, retail segment at Humana. “For 2020, we’re offering more programs and benefits to address our members’ physical, social, and medical needs; and, help them achieve their best health.”
The Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period (AEP) begins October 15 and will end on December 7, 2019. During this enrollment period, people with Medicare can choose Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans for the upcoming year. Humana’s 2020 Medicare offerings include a range of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, with coverage that takes effect on January 1, 2020. Humana also offers Medicare Supplement plans, which can be purchased year-round.
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans include all the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) in addition to offering additional health and wellness benefits and services. Many Medicare Advantage offerings combine medical and prescription drug coverage into one plan.
Humana offers a wide choice of Medicare Advantage plans across the country—from HMOs to local and regional PPOs and Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans—designed to meet a variety of needs. In 2020, Humana will expand HMO offerings into 160 new counties and introduce PPO plans in 172 new counties.
Humana is also the health benefits provider for 6 million US military service members and their families, and in 2020, will introduce a new Medicare Advantage plan designed with military veterans in mind called Humana Honor. The Humana Honor plan will be available next year in select markets in 28 states.
Many Humana Medicare Advantage plans include:
- Coverage for Medicare Parts A and B, with predictable copayments and no deductibles;
- Part D prescription drug coverage (Medicare Advantage plans without Part D prescription coverage are also available);
- Benefits for services that Medicare doesn’t cover, including routine eye exams, preventive dental care, and hearing coverage. Nearly all of Humana’s 4 million Medicare Advantage members nationally have access to vision, dental, and hearing benefits for 2020.
- Transportation to medical appointments and fitness centers. Nearly half of Humana’s 4 million Medicare Advantage members have transportation benefits with their plans.
- Maximum out-of-pocket protection (on all Humana Medicare Advantage plans),
- Programs designed to improve health and manage chronic conditions.
In 2020, most Humana Medicare Advantage members will continue to have access to Go365, a wellness and rewards program designed to motivate and reward members for taking steps to improve and continue their healthy behaviors.
And, new for 2020, a primary care virtual visit benefit will be available on all Humana Medicare Advantage plans, reaching 4 million Humana Medicare Advantage members nationally. Members who may not have a primary care physician, or who may need additional support between doctor visits, can connect with a US board-certified doctor using a phone, tablet,* or laptop*.
Humana will offer this expanded virtual capability next year for behavioral health, urgent and primary care. And it will make possible prescription refills or medication adjustments for members until they’re able to see their primary care doctor in person.
Copays for Humana’s virtual visit benefit range from $0 to $40 depending on the Medicare Advantage plan chosen for 2020.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
Humana again will offer a wide range of options for Medicare prescription drug coverage, including Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage, as well as stand-alone prescription drug plans.
For 2020, Humana will introduce a new co-branded prescription drug plan with Walmart Inc. This new plan, called Humana Walmart Value Rx, will have a national monthly plan premium of $13.20. In 2020, Humana will also offer the Humana Premier Rx and Humana Basic Rx stand-alone prescription drug plans nationally.
The prescription drug plans provide access to more than 60,000 pharmacies across the country, including preferred cost sharing at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Walmart Neighborhood Market, and Humana pharmacies on the Premier and Value drug plans mentioned above.
Health and Well-Being Resources
Humana Medicare Advantage members often enjoy a variety of programs and services that foster healthy behaviors and promote lifelong well-being. For example:
- A SilverSneakers fitness program specially designed for Medicare Advantage members;**
- SmartSummary and SmartSummaryRx, which provide personalized statements after a member has a claim, show how members use their health plan and what they’ve spent on health care;
- Many Humana Medicare Advantage plans for 2020 will continue to provide members with an allowance for a wide array of over-the-counter personal care items like toothbrushes and toothpaste, pill boxes, aspirin, cough and cold medicines, eye drops, vitamins, heating pads, compression stockings and other supplies for diabetics, plastic bandages, and other first aid items. The over-the-counter allowance varies based on the Medicare Advantage plan chosen.
In addition, eligible Humana Medicare Advantage members who need help remaining independent at home have access to their own personal care manager through Humana At Home. Humana At Home Care Managers will call or visit qualifying Medicare Advantage members regularly and provide personalized education and assistance in accessing resources for medications, transportation, and more.
Eligible members leaving a hospital who are at high risk to be readmitted, can get help understanding and accessing the support they need to make the transition back home as smooth as possible.
For More Information
For more information about Humana’s 2020 Medicare offerings, visit www.Humana.com/Medicare or call toll-free 1-800-213-5286 (TTY: 711). Licensed sales agents are available 8 am to 8 pm local time, seven days a week.
* Message and data rates may apply.
**Not available with all plans.
Source: Humana
Image: Humana
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