Once you've entered your ZIP code and viewed your available plans on the "My Available Plans" page, you can simply click the "Enroll" button for the plan of your choice. You will then continue to enrollment. To enroll online, you'll need information from your Medicare card or your letter from the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board, so keep those handy. If you need assistance you can always call us at the number either on the top or bottom of our Website.
A Medicare Supplement insurance plan helps cover the costs that are left unpaid after Medicare Parts A and B pay their portion of your healthcare expenses. Unlike a Medicare Advantage plan, which is an alternative to your Medicare Parts A and B benefits, a Medicare Supplement plan is purchased in addition to your Medicare Parts A and B benefits.
Medicare Supplement policies are standardized into 10 plans - labeled "A" through "N", each with its own set of benefits. Plan A covers the most basic benefits. These basic benefits are also covered in each of the remaining Medicare Supplement plans - B through N. Plans B through N provide additional coverage beyond the basics.
Medicare Supplement policies are sold by private insurance companies. While the costs of these policies may vary, individual insurance companies must provide the same standardized benefits. Some companies may offer innovative benefits. To purchase a policy, in general you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. In addition to paying the monthly Medicare Part B premium to Medicare, you will have to pay a premium to the insurance company providing your coverage.
In most cases, Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 years old or over and for certain disabled people under 65 years of age. You are automatically enrolled in Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) when you apply for Social Security benefits – usually upon reaching 65 years of age. Part A covers inpatient care in a hospital or a limited stay in a skilled nursing facility. Part B covers physician and outpatient hospital services. The premium you pay for Part B is deducted from your Social Security benefits.
Medicare pays for many healthcare services and supplies, but it doesn't cover all of your healthcare costs. For example, you pay a deductible for each hospital stay and coinsurance anytime you use the services of a physician or surgeon. Also, drug coverage is limited. Because Medicare rarely pays the full cost of covered services, you may want to consider a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement insurance plan.
Medicare contracts with insurance companies, including Humana, to offer prescription drug plans (PDPs). If you're considering a PDP, please keep the following in mind:
- Optional plan. A PDP is an option - not a requirement. However, if you don't join a PDP when you become eligible, you may have to pay a higher premium if you join later.
- Monthly premium. PDPs have a monthly premium in addition to any Medicare premium you already pay. However, some Medicare Advantage plans, including some of Humana's, have prescription drug coverage included as a benefit without an additional monthly premium.
- If you're already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may be covered. If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, such as an HMO through a private insurance company, you may already
have prescription drug coverage. If that's the case, choosing a separate PDP isn't necessary - in fact, getting the PDP would cancel your Medicare Advantage coverage.
- Benefits and costs. PDP plan benefits vary, but companies offering these plans are required to offer certain minimum benefits. Humana's PDP benefits are equal to, or better than, these required minimums.
Humana offers a range of Medicare Advantage plans to fit most every need: Medicare Advantage Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Medicare Advantage Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), and Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS).
Medicare Advantage plan (HMO) is an alternative to Original Medicare and features specific lists of doctors, hospitals, and other providers you must use to have your healthcare covered. HMOs often provide additional benefits not found in Original Medicare, including coverage for deductibles, a drug benefit plan, and wellness or fitness programs. A Medicare Advantage HMO is an alternative to Original Medicare coverage. However, you can return to Original Medicare down the road if you wish. How Humana's HMO plans work.
With a Medicare Advantage plan (PPO), you can see any doctor you want. However, if you use a doctor who is in the network, you get a better benefit and lower co-payment than if you visit a non-network doctor. Plus, referrals aren't needed, and you don't have to see a primary care physician first. Besides prescription drug benefits, Medicare Advantage PPOs may offer other benefits like dental, vision, and nutritional supplements. A Medicare Advantage PPO is an alternative to Original Medicare coverage. However, you can return to Original Medicare down the road if you wish. How Humana's PPO plans work.
With a Medicare Advantage plan (PFFS), you have the freedom to select any Medicare doctor, hospital, or healthcare provider who accepts Humana's payment terms and conditions, without worrying about referrals or seeing only doctors on a list. PFFS plans feature limits on out-of-pocket expenses, coverage for emergency and urgent care, and in most cases, a prescription drug benefit. A PFFS plan is an alternative to Original Medicare coverage. However, you can return to Original Medicare down the road if you wish. How Humana's PFFS plans work.
Most Humana Medicare Advantage plans include prescription coverage. In some areas of the United States, Humana offers Medicare Advantage plans that do not include prescription drug plans. To find out which options are available to you, enter your ZIP code. You'll see a chart that shows the plans you can choose from, with an overview of their benefits and costs.
You'll need your Medicare card or your letter from the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board. Also, depending on the payment method you choose, you may want to have your bank account or credit card number handy
