Humana Medicare Advantage Plans 2026: Top Picks & Reviews

Humana Medicare Advantage Plans 2026: Top Picks & Reviews

Humana is poised to become the largest Medicare Advantage insurer in the United States by the end of 2026. The company projects approximately 25% growth in individual MA membership for the year, bringing total enrollment to roughly 7.3 million members compared to UnitedHealthcare's expected 7.2-7.3 million, according to Healthcare Dive. Humana added approximately 1 million new MA members during the 2026 Annual Election Period alone, an effective 20% gain from December 2025 to January 2026. The company's Medicare Advantage plans now cover 85% of U.S. counties across 46 states and Washington, D.C. Notably, 45% of Humana MA members are now in 4+ Star contracts (up from 25% in 2025), suggesting improved plan quality alongside enrollment growth.

This guide reviews Humana Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, including plan types available, costs, ratings, and how Humana compares to other carriers. Information comes from CMS, Humana corporate filings, and the Medicare.gov Plan Finder.

Why Humana grew 25% in 2026

Three factors drove Humana's substantial 2026 enrollment growth:

1. Improved retention. Humana reported retention improving over 500 basis points year-over-year during the Annual Enrollment Period, exceeding the company's 2028 goal. This means fewer existing members switched away.

2. New sales from competitor exits. Approximately 70% of Humana's new sales during the 2026 AEP came from switchers leaving other MA plans. With 10% of MA enrollees facing forced disenrollment in 2026 due to insurer market exits, Humana captured a meaningful share of those displaced members.

3. "Bounce back" members. About 30% of Humana's new sales were members returning after leaving the plan previously. Humana noted these members tend to be more engaged with the plan and have better predictable healthcare patterns.

The 2026 enrollment surge included 140,000 additional D-SNP (Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan) members, an 18% increase. C-SNP (Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan) enrollment grew by an estimated 53%, the strongest of any insurer.

Humana Medicare Advantage plan types available

Humana offers several Medicare Advantage plan types for 2026:

Humana Gold Plus HMO. HMO plans requiring primary care physician referrals to see specialists. Lower-cost option for members who use in-network providers. Available in most Humana service areas.

Humana Choice PPO. PPO plans offering more provider flexibility, including out-of-network access. Higher monthly premiums but no referrals required. Popular with members who want to keep multiple specialist relationships.

Humana USAA Honor PFFS. Plans designed for active duty military, retirees, and their families. Available in select areas.

Humana D-SNP (Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans). For beneficiaries with both Medicare and Medicaid. Designed specifically for the unique needs of dual eligible members. About 900,000 Humana members are enrolled in D-SNPs as of January 2026.

Humana C-SNP (Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans). For people with specific qualifying chronic conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, COPD, end-stage renal disease, etc.). Humana offers 76 C-SNP plans in 2026, the third-most among major insurers.

Humana I-SNP (Institutional Special Needs Plans). For members in nursing facilities or assisted living. Less common but available in specific markets.

For broader MA plan comparison, see our What Is Medicare Part C and Medicare vs Medicare Advantage guides.

Humana Medicare Advantage costs in 2026

Like other Medicare Advantage plans, Humana costs depend on the specific plan, location, and health usage. General 2026 patterns:

Monthly premiums. Most Humana MA plans charge $0 monthly premium beyond the standard $202.90 Part B premium. Some premium HMO and PPO plans charge $30-$200 monthly for enhanced benefits.

Plan deductibles. Most Humana HMO plans have $0 medical deductibles for in-network care. Some PPO plans have annual deductibles up to $500 in-network.

Specialist copays. Typical Humana copays:

• Primary care visits: $0-$10 (in-network)

• Specialist visits: $25-$50 (in-network)

• Urgent care: $25-$50

• Emergency room: $90-$120 (waived if admitted)

Annual out-of-pocket maximum. Humana MA plans must comply with the 2026 CMS limit of $8,850 in-network. Many Humana plans set lower MOOPs around $4,000-$6,500.

Part D drug coverage. Most Humana plans include Part D. Drug copays follow Humana's formulary tiers, with $35 monthly insulin cap and $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap applying to all members per Inflation Reduction Act rules.

For Florida-specific Humana plans, see our Medicare Advantage Florida guide. For Texas, see our Medicare Advantage Texas guide.

Humana extra benefits in 2026

Humana plans typically include benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers:

Dental coverage. Most Humana plans include dental benefits ranging from preventive-only (cleanings, exams, X-rays) to comprehensive (crowns, root canals, dentures). Annual benefit caps vary from $1,000 to $3,000.

Vision care. Annual eye exam plus eyewear allowance, typically $100-$300 toward glasses or contact lenses.

Hearing aids. Hearing exam plus hearing aid allowance, typically $500-$2,000 per ear every 2-3 years.

Fitness benefits. SilverSneakers gym membership included in most plans, with access to thousands of gyms nationwide.

Over-the-counter (OTC) benefits. Quarterly OTC allowance ranging from $50 to $200 for purchases like vitamins, pain relievers, first-aid supplies.

Meal benefits. Some plans include 28 home-delivered meals after hospital discharge to support recovery.

Transportation. Non-emergency medical transportation included in some plans.

CenterWell Senior Primary Care. Humana operates over 250 CenterWell primary care clinics specifically for Medicare beneficiaries. Plan members get integrated care with no specialist referrals needed.

A practical broker note: Humana scaled back some supplemental benefits in 2026 compared to 2025. Beneficiaries should verify specific benefits in their plan's Evidence of Coverage rather than relying on past benefit levels.

Humana Star Ratings for 2026

CMS rates Medicare Advantage plans on a 1-to-5 star scale based on quality, member satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. Higher ratings benefit both members (better quality) and insurers (bonus payments).

For 2026, Humana reports that approximately 45% of its MA members are now in 4+ Star contracts, up significantly from 25% in 2025. This improvement reflects:

• Focus on quality measures during 2024-2025

• Investment in member experience and customer service

• Better care management for chronic conditions

• Improved member satisfaction scores

Plans with 4+ Stars receive Quality Bonus Payments from CMS, which Humana can use to enhance member benefits.

For specific plan ratings in your area, use Medicare.gov Plan Finder to compare current Star Ratings.

How Humana compares to other major MA insurers

For specific carrier comparisons, see our AARP Medicare Advantage and Aetna Medicare Advantage guides.