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FAQs
Medicare Supplement Plans
General
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Costs
Coverage
General
Q. What is a Medicare Supplement plan?
A Medicare Supplement insurance plan helps cover the “gaps” in coverage that are left unpaid after Original Medicare pays its portion of your healthcare expenses. For this reason, these plans are often called “Medigap” plans. Medicare Supplement policies pay only for services Medicare considers medically necessary. Payments are generally based on the Medicare-approved charge. The policy might not fully cover all of your medical costs.
Medicare Supplement policies are available from private insurance companies. While the costs of these policies may vary, individual insurance companies must provide the same standardized benefits as outlined by law.
Q. What Medicare Supplement plans does Humana offer?
Humana offers plans A, B, C, D, F, High Deductible F, G, K, and L. Plan offerings vary by state.
Q. Am I eligible to purchase a Medicare Supplement plan?
If you're enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, you're probably eligible to buy a Medicare Supplement policy. During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period - for people 65 or older, that's six months after you sign up for Medicare Part B - a company must allow you to buy any Medicare Supplement plan offered. In some states these plans may be available to those under age 65.
Q. Does a Medicare Supplement plan replace Original Medicare?
Unlike a Medicare Advantage plan, which is an alternative option to Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement plans are purchased in addition to your Original Medicare benefits.
Q. What are the enrollment dates?
There are no specific enrollment dates for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. The best time to buy a plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period which lasts 6 months. It starts on the first day of the month in which you are BOTH age 65 or older AND enrolled in Medicare Part B. Once your Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts it cannot be changed. Find more details at Enrollment and Eligibility.
During this period you cannot be denied coverage, nor made to wait before coverage begins.
Q. What if my open enrollment period is over?
You can still apply for a Medicare Supplement plan after your Medigap Open Enrollment Period has expired. However, your application may be subject to medical underwriting (i.e. a review of your medical history and current health) unless you qualify under guaranteed issue rights.
You also may have the right to buy a Medicare Supplement policy outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period if you lose certain types of health coverage. In general, this right is for 63 days from the date coverage ends or from the date you receive notice that your coverage will end. You must provide proof of the loss of your previous coverage. Otherwise, applying after your guaranteed acceptance period has expired may subject your application to medical underwriting which will help determine if your application will be accepted. More details can be found at Enrollment and Eligibility.
Q. How can I enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan?
You can enroll fast and secure on our Website. For details on how to enroll, visit our Enroll Online page. You can also enroll with the help of one of our licensed representatives at the number at the bottom of the page.
Q. When does my coverage begin?
In general, your coverage begins on the first day of the month after Humana receives your completed application - unless you request a later effective date, or you enrolled prior to your Medicare Part A or B effective date.
Q. Can my membership in Humana’s Medicare Supplement Plan be cancelled?
Medicare Supplement coverage is guaranteed renewable, which means Humana cannot cancel your policy because of your age or health. You may be involuntarily disenrolled from the plan only under the following circumstances:
- Your Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B coverage ceases.
- You fail to pay any monthly plan premium.
Q. Do I have to take a physical examination when I enroll in Humana's Medicare Supplement Plans?
No, but you may need to answer health questions during enrollment depending on where you live. Responses to medical questions are not required if you are enrolling during open enrollment or qualify for guaranteed issue.
Costs
Q. How do I pay my premiums?
In addition to the monthly Medicare Part B premium to Medicare, you pay a premium to the insurance company that provides your coverage. Humana offers several ways to pay, including automatic bank account withdrawal or credit card. You also have the option of a coupon book. In most states, choosing automatic bank withdrawal or credit card as your payment method, results in a $2 discount to your monthly plan premium.
Q. Will my premium change?
Premium changes are dependent on the type of policy you purchase. For example, if your policy is issued as an “attained-age” policy, your premium will increase as you age. Premiums are also annually adjusted to reflect changes in Medicare.
Coverage
Q. Do I have to use certain doctors?
No. With a Medicare Supplement plan, you have the flexibility to choose any doctor or hospital who accepts Medicare.
Q. How can I find out which services are covered by the plan I am most interested in?
Medicare Supplement policies are standardized into twelve plans, labeled “A” through “L,” each with its own set of benefits. Plan A covers the most basic benefits: coinsurance for hospitalization plus coverage for 365 additional days after Medicare benefits end; coinsurance or copayments for medical expenses like doctor office visits and outpatient services; and, if you require blood transfusion, coverage for the first three pints of blood you receive. Plans B through J cover all the services of Plan A, plus one or more additional costs such as coinsurance for a skilled nursing facility, your Part A deductible, or your Part B deductible. Plans K and L cover similar services as plans A-J, but the costs for the basic benefits are different.
For information about what a specific plan covers, enter your ZIP code at the bottom of this page. You will be taken to the Plan Comparison section of our Website where you can get detailed information on the plans in your area.
Q. Do Humana’s Medicare Supplement Plans cover prescription drugs?
No. If you’re buying a Medicare Supplement plan and want prescription drug coverage, you’ll need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan. Some supplement plans sold before 2006 included drug coverage; people who had already purchased those plans were allowed to keep the same coverage.
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