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Humana is one of the most widely available Medicare Advantage carriers in the country, known for its Part B Giveback benefits and broad plan selection. But before comparing costs and benefits, there’s a timely, important fact worth knowing upfront: several major health systems have dropped Humana Medicare Advantage plans for 2026. This review covers the full picture — the genuine strengths, the below-average satisfaction scores, and the network changes you need to check before enrolling.
The Quick Verdict
- CMS Star Rating (2026): 3.66 out of 5, about 0.15 below the national average of 3.81
- Availability: 46 states plus Washington D.C., covering roughly 85% of U.S. counties
- Average cost: About $25/month across all plan types; 65% of Humana Medicare Advantage plans carry a $0 premium
- The warning: At least 8 major health systems — including Mayo Clinic, UNC Health, and St. Luke’s Health System — are no longer accepting Humana Medicare Advantage plans as of January 1, 2026. If you have a preferred hospital system, verify it’s still in-network before enrolling or renewing.
Important: Check Your Network Before Enrolling for 2026
This is the single most important thing to check if you’re considering Humana for 2026, and it’s easy to miss if you’re comparing plans based on last year’s experience. Several major, well-known health systems have exited Humana’s Medicare Advantage network heading into 2026, including:
- Mayo Clinic
- UNC Health
- St. Luke’s Health System
If any of these — or another hospital system you rely on — serves your area, do not assume your current access continues into 2026. Use Humana’s provider search tool or the Medicare Plan Finder to confirm your specific doctors and hospital are still in-network before enrolling or renewing.
Plan Types and Costs
Humana offers a range of Medicare Advantage structures, with costs varying meaningfully by type:
| Plan type | Average monthly premium | Average out-of-pocket max |
|---|---|---|
| HMO | Lowest tier | $4,856 (about $51 below the national HMO average) |
| PPO | $14 | $7,200 |
| PFFS | $27 | $6,578 |
Overall, 65% of Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 monthly premium, and the average cost across all plan types is about $25/month. You’ll still pay the standard Part B premium ($202.90/month in 2026) regardless of which plan you choose.
Star Ratings: Below Average, With a Care Coordination Gap Worth Knowing
Humana’s overall 3.66 average sits below the 3.81 national average, but the gap isn’t uniform across plan types:
- HMO-POS plans show the largest gap — 0.44 stars below average, driven mainly by care coordination and health outcome scores
- PPO plans trail by a smaller 0.23 stars
- HMO plans show the smallest gap, just 0.13 stars below average
Why this matters: the 0.44-star HMO-POS gap is concentrated specifically in care coordination and health outcomes — meaning it’s most relevant if you’re managing an ongoing condition and need consistent coordination between providers. If you’re generally healthy and use care infrequently, this specific gap is less likely to affect your experience. Star ratings of 4+ often unlock enhanced benefits, and only about 20% of Humana’s members are currently in plans rated 4 stars or higher — worth checking your specific plan’s individual rating rather than relying on the company average.
Part B Giveback: Humana’s Signature Benefit
Many Humana plans include a Part B Giveback — the plan covers some or all of your standard Part B premium, which reduces what’s deducted from your Social Security check. This is one of Humana’s most distinctive selling points relative to competitors. One practical caveat: processing delays of several months are common before the Social Security Administration actually reflects the change in your check, so don’t expect an immediate adjustment. Also worth noting: plans offering the highest givebacks sometimes come with trade-offs elsewhere, like a smaller network or a higher out-of-pocket maximum — compare the whole package, not just the giveback amount.
Veteran-Focused Plans: USAA Honor
Humana offers USAA Honor plans specifically designed around veteran benefits, including $0 mental health copays (new for 2026) and customer care specialists trained to explain how the plan interacts with VA benefits. It’s worth clarifying: there’s no standalone «USAA Honor plan» as a separate company — these are Humana Medicare Advantage plans co-branded with USAA, with Humana paying USAA a royalty fee for use of its name.
The Honest Part: Customer Satisfaction Is a Genuine Weak Point
This is worth being direct about, because it shows up consistently across independent sources: Humana scores below average for customer satisfaction in nine out of ten Medicare markets in J.D. Power’s latest study. Independent review platforms paint an even starker picture — around 90% of recent ConsumerAffairs reviews are 1-star, and Trustpilot scores have run as low as 1.6 out of 5, with recurring complaints centered on:
- Claim denials, including a notable pattern of complaints about denied dental coverage
- Billing surprises
- Extended customer service wait times
- Slow approval processes
To be fair, Humana holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an «A» (Excellent) financial strength rating from A.M. Best, and its Medicare plans remain popular with independent brokers for their breadth of coverage. The pattern that emerges: the underlying financial stability and plan design are solid, but the day-to-day customer service and claims experience is a recurring, well-documented weak point.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Part B Giveback available on many plans, a genuine cost-saving differentiator
- Widely available — 85% of U.S. counties, 46 states plus D.C.
- Strong veteran-focused USAA Honor plans
- A+ BBB rating and «A» (Excellent) A.M. Best financial strength rating
- 65% of plans carry a $0 premium
Cons:
- Several major health systems (Mayo Clinic, UNC Health, St. Luke’s) dropped Humana Medicare Advantage for 2026 — verify your specific providers
- Below-average CMS star rating overall, with a notable care-coordination gap on HMO-POS plans
- Below-average customer satisfaction in 9 of 10 markets per J.D. Power
- Very low scores on independent consumer review platforms, with recurring dental and claims-denial complaints
- Only about 20% of members are in plans rated 4+ stars
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Humana really lose major hospital networks for 2026? Yes. At least 8 major health systems, including Mayo Clinic, UNC Health, and St. Luke’s Health System, are no longer accepting Humana Medicare Advantage plans as of January 1, 2026. Always verify your specific providers before enrolling.
What is the Part B Giveback, and how fast does it take effect? It’s a benefit where Humana covers some or all of your Part B premium, reducing your Social Security deduction. Processing delays of several months before the Social Security Administration reflects the change are common — don’t expect an immediate adjustment.
Is Humana’s low customer satisfaction score a dealbreaker? That depends on your priorities. The underlying plan design, financial strength, and breadth of coverage are solid by independent ratings — but the customer service and claims experience is a well-documented weak point across multiple independent sources. Weigh this against the specific benefits (like a Giveback) that matter to you.
What is USAA Honor, and is it a different company? No — it’s a Humana Medicare Advantage plan co-branded with USAA for veterans, not a separate insurer. Humana pays USAA a royalty fee to use its name and benefits are designed around veteran-specific needs.
Should I avoid Humana because of the star rating gap? Not necessarily — the gap is concentrated in specific areas (care coordination, particularly on HMO-POS plans) that matter more if you manage an ongoing health condition. If you’re generally healthy, this may affect you less. Always check your specific plan’s individual rating.
Bottom Line
Humana offers genuine value through its Part B Giveback benefit, broad availability, and strong veteran-focused plans — but 2026 brings a real network warning that shouldn’t be skipped: several major hospital systems have dropped out of its network. Combined with a below-average star rating and consistently documented customer service complaints, Humana is worth considering specifically for its cost-saving benefits, but only after you’ve personally verified your doctors and hospital are still in-network and you’ve gone in with realistic expectations about the claims and service experience.
Compare the exact Humana plans and confirm your provider network for 2026 using the official Medicare Plan Finder, or speak with a licensed insurance agent or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased guidance.
Disclaimer: Star ratings, network information, and figures mentioned in this article are based on 2026 CMS data and industry sources, and vary by state, county, and specific plan. Always confirm current details directly with Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or a licensed agent before making a decision.