Humana Expands Footprint in Maryland

Rhea-AI Summary

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is launching Medicare Advantage plans on Maryland's Eastern Shore, featuring the $0 premium Humana Honor plan. Residents in eight counties can enroll during the Medicare Advantage Annual Election Period from October 15 to December 7, 2021, for coverage beginning January 1, 2022. The Humana Honor plan includes benefits like dental coverage, a $50 Part B premium reduction, and more. Additional COVID-19 support includes $0 copays for testing and 14 days of home-delivered meals. This expansion targets veterans by complementing VA health care coverage.

Positive

• Expansion of Medicare Advantage plans to eight counties on Eastern Shore, increasing market reach.
• Introduction of the $0 premium Humana Honor plan, appealing to budget-conscious consumers.
• Comprehensive benefits including dental, vision, transportation, and wellness programs enhance plan attractiveness.
• COVID-19 support features, such as $0 copays for tests and home-delivered meals, offer valuable assistance.

Negative

• None.

The company will offer Medicare Advantage plans in the Eastern Shore for the first time, including its $0 premium Humana Honor plan that may complement VA health care coverage

SALISBURY, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leading health and well-being company Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is expanding its footprint in Maryland and, for the first time, offering affordable Humana Medicare Advantage plans to beneficiaries living in counties on the Eastern Shore. The Humana Honor plan, currently available only in the Western area of the state, also will be available to residents living in the Eastern Shore.

Residents of eight counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore can select from the new 2022 Humana plans during this year’s Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period, or AEP, which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2021, for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2022.

In addition, for all Humana 2022 MA plan members with a COVID diagnosis, there is $0 copay for testing, treatment, vaccinations and 14 days of home-delivered meals (up to 28 meals).

“We’re excited to expand our affordable health plan offerings to Medicare beneficiaries on the Eastern Shore,” said Mike Bowersox, Humana’s Mid-Atlantic Medicare President. “At Humana, we design our plans with whole person health care in mind, which means many of our Medicare offerings include dental, hearing and vision, fitness benefits and a wellness rewards program, and offer in-network access to most major hospital systems.”

The eight counties where Humana is expanding its Humana Medicare Advantage plans include: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot and Wicomico.

New Medicare plan options

For 2022, Humana’s new Medicare Advantage options for Maryland’s Eastern Shore residents include the $0 premium PPO Humana Honor plan. In addition to comprehensive dental coverage, the Humana Honor plan features plan benefits including a $50 Part B premium reduction, transportation, a quarterly $75 over-the-counter allowance, and vision and hearing coverage.

While this plan is an option for all people with Medicare, it is designed to complement VA health care coverage by covering health care services at non-VA (civilian) facilities and including dental coverage. Because some veterans may prefer prescription drug coverage through their VA benefits, the Humana Honor plan does not include prescription drug coverage. Veterans can choose from any of the Medicare Advantage plan options in their area.

Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans, including Humana Honor plans, all are recommended by USAA, a company known for its customer satisfaction and commitment to the financial security of current and former members of the U.S. military and their families.

In addition to the Humana Honor plan, Humana is introducing a premium PPO Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage in these counties.

Most Humana Medicare Advantage plans also include:

• SilverSneakers, which provides memberships at participating fitness centers, and access to classes designed with the Medicare beneficiary in mind.
• Go365^TM, a wellness and rewards program designed to motivate and reward members for taking steps toward healthy behaviors, like receiving recommended wellness screenings, flu shots, and other healthy activities.
• Humana Well Dine®, which provides nutritious meals to eligible Medicare members recovering from an inpatient stay in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

About Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage’s unique public-private structure creates an atmosphere of competition that spurs innovation that can help drive down costs and focus care on a person’s whole health.

Medicare Advantage plans are focused on coordinating care for those with multiple chronic conditions, helping lead to cost-effective interventions to address the unique health needs of aging or disabled Americans. These are a few reasons why more than 40 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries choose to be covered by Medicare Advantage plans.

For more information about enrolling in Humana plans, Maryland residents can visit www.Humana.com/Medicare or speak with one of Humana’s licensed sales agents by calling 1-800-213-5286 (TTY: 711) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

About Humana

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

To accomplish that, we support physicians and other health care professionals as they work to deliver the right care in the right place for their patients, our members. Our range of clinical capabilities, resources and tools – such as in-home care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, data analytics and wellness solutions – combine to produce a simplified experience that makes health care easier to navigate and more effective.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company’s web site at www.humana.com, including copies of:

• Annual reports to stockholders
• Securities and Exchange Commission filings
• Most recent investor conference presentations
• Quarterly earnings news releases and conference calls
• Calendar of events
• Corporate Governance information

Additional Information

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211025005524/en/

Nancy A. Hanewinckel

Humana Corporate Communications

941.585.4763

nhanewinckel1@humana.com

Source: Humana Inc.

FAQ

What new Medicare Advantage plans is Humana offering in Maryland?

Humana is introducing affordable Medicare Advantage plans, including the $0 premium Humana Honor plan, to residents on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

When can Maryland residents enroll in Humana's new Medicare Advantage plans?

Enrollment for the new plans is available during the Annual Election Period from October 15 to December 7, 2021, for coverage starting January 1, 2022.

What benefits does the Humana Honor plan offer?

The Humana Honor plan includes dental coverage, a $50 Part B premium reduction, transportation services, and wellness rewards, among other benefits.

How does the Humana Honor plan support veterans?

The Humana Honor plan is designed to complement VA health care coverage, providing access to non-VA health facilities and includes dental coverage.

What COVID-19 support does Humana provide for its Medicare Advantage members?

Humana offers $0 copays for COVID-19 testing and treatment and provides home-delivered meals for 14 days for members with a COVID diagnosis.