Categories
Review 2026
BestGuide Score
4.2
out of 5
Humana earns a BestGuide Expert Score of 4.2/5.0, reflecting its position as a leading provider of Medicare plans. The company scores highest on Services (90%) and Scalability (90%) due to its extensive plan options and nationwide presence. However, its Customer Satisfaction score of 70% highlights documented service issues that prospective members should consider.
In this Humana review, BestGuide’s expert panel evaluates one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States. Humana earns an Expert Score of 4.2 out of 5.0, making it a strong contender, particularly for seniors seeking Medicare Advantage plans. As the nation’s fourth-largest health insurer, the company’s financial stability is confirmed by an ‘A’ (Excellent) rating from AM Best, a key indicator for long-term reliability.
Our analysis of Humana reviews and operational data reveals a company with a dual identity. On one hand, it offers a vast portfolio of Medicare products and has a strong market presence. On the other, documented customer service challenges and a complete exit from the individual health insurance marketplace are significant limitations for certain consumers. This review breaks down the data to help you decide if Humana is the right fit for your needs.
Compare Humana with other top-rated health insurance companies to see how it stacks up against the competition.
Humana primarily operates as a provider of government-sponsored health plans, with a heavy focus on Medicare. The company offers a wide range of Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Supplement (Medigap), and Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plans. These plans are designed to provide more coverage than Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), often including benefits like dental, vision, and hearing care.
To enroll in a Humana Medicare plan, you must be eligible for Medicare and live within the plan’s service area. Enrollment is restricted to specific periods. The main Medicare Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Additionally, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, for those already in a Medicare Advantage plan, runs from January 1 to March 31 annually. During these times, you can join, switch, or drop a plan through the Humana website or with a licensed agent.
Beyond Medicare, Humana also provides individual dental and vision plans. It is important to know that as of 2024, Humana no longer offers individual major medical health insurance plans on or off the Health Insurance Marketplace. Its business is now centered on Medicare beneficiaries and employer-sponsored group plans.
Based on our analysis, Humana is best for seniors and other Medicare-eligible individuals who want a wide selection of Medicare Advantage plans from a large, financially stable insurer. Its extensive network of PPO and HMO options provides flexibility for those seeking comprehensive benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers. The company’s focus on this demographic means its resources and tools are tailored to the needs of older adults.
Humana is not suitable for individuals or families seeking private health insurance coverage. If you need to purchase a plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act, you will need to look at other providers, as Humana has exited this market completely.
Humana’s offerings are distinguished by several key features, primarily centered on its Medicare products and member support programs. These elements demonstrate the company’s market focus and scale.
Extensive Medicare Plan Selection: Humana is one of the largest providers of Medicare Advantage plans in the country. It offers a diverse range of health insurance plans, including HMOs, PPOs, and Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans, giving members options to balance monthly premiums with out-of-pocket costs. This variety exceeds that of many smaller, regional competitors.
Financial Strength and Stability: As a company ranked 39 on the Fortune 500 list in 2025, Humana has significant financial resources. Its ‘A’ (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best indicates a superior ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. This provides a level of security that members can depend on for claim payments.
Member Wellness Programs: Many Humana Medicare Advantage plans include access to the SilverSneakers fitness program, which offers memberships to thousands of gyms nationwide at no extra cost. This focus on preventative health and wellness is a key value-add compared to standard insurance coverage and helps promote a healthier lifestyle for its members.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong Financial Rating: Humana holds an ‘A’ (Excellent) rating from AM Best, signaling high confidence in its ability to pay claims. | No Individual Health Plans: The company no longer offers individual or family plans on the ACA marketplace, limiting options for non-Medicare consumers. |
| Wide Range of Medicare Products: Offers numerous Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans to fit different needs and budgets. | Customer Service Issues: Member complaints frequently cite difficulties with foreign-based call centers and unhelpful service representatives. |
| High Product Quality Score: Ranks 1st in Product Quality Score (3.3/5) against its direct competitors on Comparably’s platform. | Claim and Approval Delays: Reports indicate that the company can be slow to process claims and approve procedures, with some urgent imaging orders taking a week or more for review. |
Yes, Humana is a legitimate and well-established health insurance company. Founded in 1961 as a nursing home operator and rebranded as Humana Inc. in 1974, the company has grown into one of the largest health insurers in the nation. It is a publicly traded company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and was ranked 39 on the Fortune 500 list in 2025, demonstrating its significant scale and market presence.
The company’s legitimacy is further reinforced by its regulatory standing. Humana is licensed to sell insurance products in all 50 states and is subject to oversight by state insurance departments. Furthermore, its financial stability is vetted by independent rating agencies. A.M. Best, a leading credit rating agency for the insurance industry, has assigned Humana an ‘A’ (Excellent) rating, indicating a strong capacity to meet its financial obligations to policyholders.
Despite its solid foundation, prospective customers should be aware of recurring complaints regarding customer service and claim denials. These issues, while common in the health insurance industry, are a notable aspect of Humana’s operational record and are reflected in its lower Customer Satisfaction score in our analysis.
Humana earns a BestGuide Expert Score of 4.2 out of 5.0. This score is the result of a comprehensive analysis by our expert panel, based on BestGuide’s proprietary methodology that evaluates five core criteria. This rating places Humana above the industry average of 4.1 for major health insurance companies, marking it as a solid choice, especially within its target market.
The score breakdown reveals specific strengths and weaknesses:
Humana’s strongest areas are Services and Scalability, both scoring 90 out of 100. This reflects its vast portfolio of Medicare plans and its nationwide operational reach as the fourth-largest U.S. health insurer. The company’s lowest score is in Customer Satisfaction (70/100), directly corresponding to widespread user-reported issues with call center effectiveness, claim denials, and administrative delays.
The cost of a Humana plan varies significantly based on the type of plan, your location, and the level of coverage you choose. For its primary offering, Medicare Advantage plans, many are available with a $0 monthly premium. However, these plans still require you to pay your Medicare Part B premium to the government, which is $174.70 per month for most people in 2024.
While the premium may be low, out-of-pocket costs like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles are critical factors. A lower-premium HMO plan, for example, might have a $0 copay for a primary care visit but require you to stay in-network. A PPO plan could offer more flexibility to see out-of-network doctors but at a higher cost share. For dental and vision plans, monthly premiums can range from $20 to $70, depending on the benefits. This pricing structure places Humana in the mid-range for affordability compared to other national carriers, offering some options for cheap health insurance within the Medicare space.
Humana earns an Expert Score of 4.2/5.0, cementing its status as a formidable player in the U.S. health insurance landscape, particularly for Medicare beneficiaries. Its greatest strengths lie in its expansive selection of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and its proven financial stability, backed by an ‘A’ rating from AM Best. For seniors looking for a one-stop shop for their Medicare needs, Humana is a compelling option.
However, this Humana review must also highlight its significant drawbacks. The company’s score is pulled down by a 70/100 in Customer Satisfaction, a reflection of persistent complaints about claim denials, slow approval processes, and challenging interactions with customer service. Furthermore, its strategic withdrawal from the individual ACA marketplace makes it a non-starter for anyone seeking private health insurance. Our analysis of Humana reviews shows it is a strong, but imperfect, choice tailored to a very specific demographic.
See our full Buyers Guide for the best health insurance companies before making your decision.
What do experts say about Humana?
Experts, including the BestGuide panel, rate Humana favorably for its financial strength and extensive Medicare plan offerings, awarding it an Expert Score of 4.2/5.0. Its ‘A’ (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best is a significant endorsement. However, analyses also consistently point to below-average customer satisfaction as a key area of weakness.
Is Humana worth it in 2026?
For Medicare-eligible individuals, Humana is worth considering in 2026 due to its wide plan selection and stability. It is not worth it for individuals or families seeking private health insurance, as the company no longer participates in the ACA marketplace. The decision depends on whether a member values plan choice over consistent, high-quality customer service.
How does Humana compare to other health insurance companies?
Humana is the fourth-largest health insurer in the U.S., making it a major competitor to companies like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna. It stands out for its deep focus on Medicare Advantage, where it is a market leader. It lags behind competitors that maintain a strong presence in the individual and family plan market.
What do Humana reviews say about its customer service?
Humana reviews frequently report negative experiences with customer service. Common complaints found in our research include long wait times, difficulties understanding representatives in foreign-based call centers, and receiving unhelpful or incorrect information regarding claims and benefits.
When is open enrollment for health insurance 2025?
For Medicare plans, the annual Open Enrollment Period is from October 15 to December 7, 2024, for coverage starting in 2025. For those already in a Medicare Advantage plan, a separate MA OEP to switch plans runs from January 1 to March 31 each year.
Can I drop my Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare?
Yes, you can disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31) or the annual Open Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) and switch back to Original Medicare. You will also have a limited time to join a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
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