Humana Medicare Advantage

[jcam222]

Anyone using them and if so how's it worked for you. I am currently with Anthem Medicare Advantage PPO but my main provider who I see 12 times a year has been removed as a provider. They are not n the Humana plan as are all my other doctors, facilities in the area and drugs. On paper they stack up well to what I've had with Anthem. I am aware std Medicare has wider coverage but I like the advantage plans with everything rolled into one.

 

[jcam222]

Giving this a,little bump

 

[JckDanls 07]

This is all foreign language to me... But I need to learn it as I turn 65 on the 18th... Not retiring until after the first of the year tho...

 

[KonaRich]

This is all foreign language to me... But I need to learn it as I turn 65 on the 18th... Not retiring until after the first of the year tho...

Enroll and start paying for Medicare B as soon as you turn 65, even if you're still covered by employer insurance. If you don''t, Medicare will add a monthly charge for "late enrollment" once you do enroll, with or without a Medicare Advantage program, that never goes away.

 

[Elf@shore]

Anyone using them and if so how's it worked for you. I am currently with Anthem Medicare Advantage PPO but my main provider who I see 12 times a year has been removed as a provider. They are not n the Humana plan as are all my other doctors, facilities in the area and drugs. On paper they stack up well to what I've had with Anthem. I am aware std Medicare has wider coverage but I like the advantage plans with everything rolled into one.

HI!
Not really informed about it ?
BUT!? WHEN I WORKED ! LOCAL UNION HAD AN OFFER ENROREMENT?
THEY DROPPED THEM!
SO SHOULD YOU!
Watch the bait and switch sales deals ?
ME: NO WAY!
PS: Advantage plans: They give you stuff most do not use!/
Further more if you get really SICK!? Plan is limited due to the BS benefits !?

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

In Texas everyone says stay away from advantage plans but I guess that changes from state to state. I sticking with my plan G with cancer plan. If you can find a good local broker be worth talking to them. Its free.

 

[sandyut]

I dont know about Humana, but I have had Anthem for 3 years...Now they are switching their major healthcare group in CO from HCA to Common Spirit Dec 1 2026 and that is upending a lot of providers. Im likely switching next year. Im over them.

 

[KonaRich]

I dont know about Humana, but I have had Anthem for 3 years...Now they are switching their major healthcare group in CO from HCA to Common Spirit Dec 1 2026 and that is upending a lot of providers. Im likely switching next year. Im over them.

We have Kaiser Senior Advantage Medicare plan here in Hawaii. Kaiser offers this in Colorado, though availability and benefits depend on your county and ZIP code.

Here, Kaiser is the only 5-star plan of its type in the state. It's the gold standard, but not available on all islands, nor in all zip codes. We're had it for 12 years so far, since we turned 65.

It's an HMO, and all med pros are employees. They all use the same medical records system and the paperless electronic vertical integration is awesome, from clinic to pharmacy to hospital.

Their big hospital is on Oahu, with clinics on all islands they serve. They arrange flights from the out-islands and hotel stays if necessary at no cost. They mail prescriptions to your home if visiting a clinic pharmacy is inconvenient.

We're beyond happy with Kaiser. You should look into them.

 

[sandyut]

Hey Rich, my moms care at Kaiser in Colorado had been subpar. I feel like the quality varies considerably by area. Worth looking into for sure. Rated well here, but I can see her records and there have been some big misses.
Medical/dental ratings are funny. Meaning if you get a physical every year and that is all you my love what you have, but if you have lots of specialists and procedures your opinion may differ. (not speaking of you in particular just the general you).

 

[KonaRich]

Hey Rich, my moms care at Kaiser in Colorado had been subpar. I feel like the quality varies considerably by area. Worth looking into for sure. Rated well here, but I can see her records and there have been some big misses.
Medical/dental ratings are funny. Meaning if you get a physical every year and that is all you my love what you have, but if you have lots of specialists and procedures your opinion may differ. (not speaking of you in particular just the general you)..

Variability is always an issue, but here, Kaiser reigns supreme. I've had 3 operations at their Oahu hospital, and a multitude of scans of various types at our island clinic, and experienced excellent service and results. I have 3 prescription drugs I take every month, and my wife has 1.

Also, Kaiser has a "medical financial aid" program that's based on income only, regardless of assets. They told me about it to avoid a large co-pay for an operation.

Since our income is only Social Security (they don't count bank interest, thankfully), and it's less than 400% of the Big Island poverty level, which would be a bit over $70K, we qualify. That means we pay no co-pays or deductibles for everything Kaiser provides directly, drugs. We've saved thousands over the years with this program.

We are "income poor", according to them, but "financial asset rich", so that turns out to be a good thing.

 

[Fueling Around]

Friends have Humana Advantage and they are very happy. It covers them both here in Florida and when they summer in New York state.
We are plan G (Medi-gap)

 

[Fueling Around]

This is all foreign language to me... But I need to learn it as I turn 65 on the 18th... Not retiring until after the first of the year tho...

Create on-line accounts for both Medicare and SS (they are separate) ASAP.
If you have a HSA on your current insurance, stop payments. (We got penalized on that as the insurance people forgot to tell us.)
Enroll in part A now.

Enroll and start paying for Medicare B as soon as you turn 65, even if you're still covered by employer insurance. If you don''t, Medicare will add a monthly charge for "late enrollment" once you do enroll, with or without a Medicare Advantage program, that never goes away.

I don't think that will happen to Keith. He should have employer coverage through at least January and that exempts from a penalty for late enrollment in part B for 8 months after he retires

 

[DougE]

I have Humana Gold Plus and have been pretty satisfied. All but one of my prescriptions are free, zero copay for primary care, and copay for specialists went down. I also get a card with $50 a quarter to use on OTC meds.

 

[JckDanls 07]

I don't think that will happen to Keith. He should have employer coverage through at least January and that excepts from a penalty for late enrollment in part B for 8 months after he retires

Yes, open enrollment for all benefits at work is open now until next week some time... I'm going to decline ALL coverage for next year and have Medicare kick in at the 1st of the year... At least that's what I'm thinking at the moment ... Going to work one day (Jan 4th) so I can get my six weeks of paid vacation... I hope it all works out that way...

 

[DougE]

I have Humana Gold Plus and have been pretty satisfied. All but one of my prescriptions are free, zero copay for primary care, and copay for specialists went down. I also get a card with $50 a quarter to use on OTC meds.

Also, free yearly eye exams and an allowance for glasses. Also includes dental but it doesn't pay for much.

 

[Fueling Around]

Sorry for the sidetrack Jeff. Well maybe it is all applicable to your thread.

Yes, open enrollment for all benefits at work is open now until next week some time... I'm going to decline ALL coverage for next year and have Medicare kick in at the 1st of the year... At least that's what I'm thinking at the moment ... Going to work one day (Jan 4th) so I can get my six weeks of paid vacation... I hope it all works out that way...

I'm no expert on this Keith, just been through it all.
I wish we had discussed this more when we met up last month and talked about your retirement plans.
The fortunate detail is you have time to finalize all this beyond the December open enrollment deadline we are inundated by all the ads on TV. You have until February or 3 months after you turn 65 month to finalize Medicare enrollment, but i wouldn't wait that long.
Get your accounts with Medicare and SS established. I did all my enrollments on-line. Actually pretty easy.
Ah, with your health history get at least parts A, B, & D setup before the end of December.
Have you thought about Avantage or going with plan G (MediGap). What is Charlotte's coverage?
Medicare plans between spouses are separate. One can be on Advantage and the other on MediGap.

Humana Advantage that Jeff queried on the original post has great coverage in Florida and might be a route for you..

 

[jcam222]

Sorry for the sidetrack Jeff. Well maybe it is all applicable to your thread.

I'm no expert on this Keith, just been through it all.
I wish we had discussed this more when we met up last month and talked about your retirement plans.
The fortunate detail is you have time to finalize all this beyond the December open enrollment deadline we are inundated by all the ads on TV. You have until February or 3 months after you turn 65 month to finalize Medicare enrollment, but i wouldn't wait that long.
Get your accounts with Medicare and SS established. I did all my enrollments on-line. Actually pretty easy.
Ah, with your health history get at least parts A, B, & D setup before the end of December.
Have you thought about Avantage or going with plan G (MediGap). What is Charlotte's coverage?
Medicare plans between spouses are separate. One can be on Advantage and the other on MediGap.

Humana Advantage that Jeff queried on the original post has great coverage in Florida and might be a route for you..

All great discussion!

 

[sandyut]

Im sure I have said this on other threads on the topic, but Ill ask. Have you worked with an insurance broker? Free to you, a good one is well worth it. They tend to know quite a bit about the insurance carriers, which has more providers in your area, when to avoid etc.

Caveat, Check reviews and references. I have had one rock star (in SLC) and three so so ones (in CO), but my newest is rock star level.

Good luck

 

[chopsaw]

Anyone using them and if so how's it worked for you.

Don't know yet , but I'm getting ready to find out . I have my Advantage plan with the Carpenters . I got a letter last week that they were changing to Humana from United health care .
$350 a month . Been paying on it since 2018 , and have never used any of it .