Switching To Humana Insurance: A Guide

If you're looking to switch to a Humana Medicare plan, you can do so during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7. During this time, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, change from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare, or switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. Any changes made during this period will take effect on January 1 of the following year.

There is also the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, from January 1 to March 31, during which you can make one change to your plan. This could be switching from a Medicare Advantage plan without drug coverage to one with drug coverage, or vice versa, or switching from your Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare. Changes made during this period will start on the first day of the following month.

Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan

If you're already enrolled in Original Medicare and want to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan, you can do so during the Annual Enrollment Period, also known as the Fall Open Enrollment Period or Medicare Annual Election, which runs from October 15 to December 7. Your new coverage will start on January 1 of the following year.

Alternatively, you can make the switch during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31. If you switch during this period, your new coverage will start on the first day of the month following your enrollment. For example, if you switch to a Medicare Advantage plan in February, your new coverage will begin on March 1.

There are three ways to switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage:

• Visit your local Social Security Office and ask to be disenrolled from Original Medicare.
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and process your disenrollment over the phone.
• Contact your Original Medicare insurer directly and request a disenrollment form.

It's important to note that you may not be able to change your coverage right away, and there are specific enrollment periods each year to make the switch. Additionally, if you have a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, you may need to contact the plan provider to disenroll.

Changing from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare

If you're looking to change from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, there are a few periods during the year when you can do this.

Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP)

The Medicare Annual Election Period, also known as the Annual Enrollment Period, takes place from October 15 through December 7. During this period, you can switch from your Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, and your new coverage will start on January 1 of the following year.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period takes place from January 1 through March 31. This period allows you to switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, and your new coverage will start on the first day of the following month.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, which allows you to change your plan outside of the usual enrollment periods. Qualifying life events for an SEP include:

• Moving out of your plan's service area
• Losing group Medicare employer coverage
• Qualifying for Extra Help
• Newly qualifying for a Special Needs Plan due to a chronic health condition
• Eligibility for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibility)

Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)

If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan when you first became eligible for Medicare (during your Initial Coverage Election Period), you can switch to Original Medicare within the first 3 months after you enrolled.

To switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare, you can:

• Visit your local Social Security Office and ask to be disenrolled from Medicare Advantage
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and process your disenrollment over the phone
• Contact your Medicare Advantage insurer directly and request a disenrollment form

Switching from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

If you already have a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan and want to switch to another MA plan, you have two enrollment periods each year to make the change: the Medicare Open Enrollment Period and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.

Medicare Open Enrollment Period (Annual Election Period)

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period, also known as the Annual Election Period (AEP), takes place each year from October 15 through December 7. During this time, you can switch from one MA plan to another MA plan. Any changes made during the Open Enrollment Period will start on January 1 of the following year.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) is another opportunity to enroll in a new MA plan or go back to Original Medicare. It runs from January 1 through March 31. However, you can only make one change within this period. During the MA OEP, you can switch from an MA plan without drug coverage to an MA plan with drug coverage, or vice versa. Changes made during the MA OEP start on the first day of the following month after the request is received.

It is important to note that you cannot switch your MA plan outside of these usual enrollment periods unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). A Special Enrollment Period is triggered by certain life events, such as losing your existing coverage, changes to your current Medicare plan, gaining the ability to get other healthcare coverage, or changes to your eligibility. The length of a Special Enrollment Period can vary, typically lasting 2-3 months.

Switching to a Humana Medicare Advantage Plan

If you are considering switching to a Humana Medicare Advantage plan, you can explore the plans available in your area and compare their benefits to find the best option for your needs. Humana Medicare Advantage plans offer all the benefits of Original Medicare Parts A and B, and most include coverage for prescription drugs. In 2024, all Humana Medicare Advantage plans also include routine dental, vision, and hearing benefits.

To get started with a Humana Medicare Advantage plan, you can enter your ZIP code on the Humana website to view the plans available in your area and compare their premiums, copays, and participating doctors and pharmacies. Licensed Humana sales agents are also available to help you select the coverage that best meets your needs.

Cancelling your Humana plan

When to cancel

You can cancel your Humana plan at any time before the plan's effective date. You can also cancel within seven days of receiving your Enrollment Verification Letter.

How to cancel

There are several ways to cancel your Humana plan:

• By phone — Call Humana Customer Care on 800-285-7197 (TTY: 711). This is available Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Oct. 15 – March 31) and 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• By mail — Send a signed, written request to cancel your plan. This should include:
• Your Humana member ID number
• Plan name, such as Humana Gold Plus® or Humana Walmart Value Rx Plan™
• A statement that you want to cancel your plan
• Your signature or the signature of your power of attorney (POA) or legal guardian
• The reason for cancelling
• Online — You can also cancel your plan online by filling out a disenrollment form.

After cancelling, you can enrol in another carrier's plan or return to Original Medicare.

Disenrolling from your Humana plan

Humana differentiates between cancellation and disenrolment. Cancellation refers to leaving your Humana plan before the effective date, while disenrolment refers to termination requests made after the plan's effective date.

You can generally disenroll from your plan during the following periods:

• The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15–December 7.
• The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1–March 31 (only if you have a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan).
• A valid Special Election Period (SEP) if you are eligible.

To disenroll, you must fill out an online request form or print and mail a request. Disenrolling by phone call is not possible.

When you disenroll from your plan, you can enroll in another carrier's plan or return to Original Medicare.

Frequently asked questions