LOUISVILLE, Ky.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies, announced today the Medicare Star Ratings for its Medicare Advantage plans, effective Jan. 1, 2023, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

With 4.9 million of Humana’s Medicare Advantage members enrolled in plans rated 4 stars and above, Humana’s Star Ratings continue to reflect the company’s strong focus on ensuring high quality of care, patient-centered clinical outcomes and reliable customer service for its members.

“We are proud of Humana’s historical Star Ratings performance, which we have achieved through diligent pursuit of excellence in quality and customer experiences,” said Alan Wheatley, President, Retail Segment at Humana.

Even before COVID-19, Humana’s strong ratings were a testament to its industry-leading Medicare Advantage plan options, according to George Renaudin, President, Medicare at Humana.

“We are pleased to see our ratings have remained strong coming out of the pandemic, particularly as CMS has heightened its focus on patient experience with increased weighting for consumer satisfaction when assessing the quality of plans,” Renaudin said.

Three of Humana’s contracts received a 5-star rating on CMS’s 5-star rating system, including HMO plans in Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky covering approximately 356,000 members. These plans include Cariten Health Plan Inc. in Tennessee, as well as Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc. in Louisiana and Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Inc. in Kentucky, all of which are receiving the 5-star rating for the second year in a row.

In addition, Humana received a 4.5-star rating for seven Medicare Advantage contracts offered in 46 states and Puerto Rico covering more than 3 million members, which is nearly double the number of members in 4.5-star plans in 2022. In all, Humana will offer plans under 47 Medicare Advantage contracts in 2023, 30 of which are rated 4-stars or higher and currently cover 4.9 million members, representing 96% of its existing Medicare Advantage membership in rated contracts as of September 2022. More than 99% of retirees in Humana’s Group Medicare Advantage rated plans remain in 4-star or above contracts for 2023.

Humana Medicare Advantage member Alan Grofe says he stays with Humana because it consistently has the best plan options for him.

“Every time I would take a look at the Medicare opportunities and plans, the first thing I realized (is) that the Advantage plan was the best plan for the dollar. It just really fit well,” said Grofe, a Vietnam veteran and National Senior Games athlete. “It’s got the best coverage at the best price. And it’s proven to be the case. I’ve stayed with Humana now for years just because of that, and every year I reanalyze and see if there’s anything better. But every year Humana has been the one.”

About Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage delivers financial savings to members in the form of lower out-of-pocket costs and reduced premiums. Medicare Advantage members reported spending nearly $2,000 less on out-of-pocket costs, compared to fee-for-service Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans also have limits on out-of-pocket costs. These financial protections may be critical for older Americans on fixed incomes.

Unlike fee-for-service Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans often include affordable prescription drug coverage. For Humana members, 100 percent of the savings achieved through manufacturer rebates and discounts in pharmacy programs are returned to members through lower premiums and improved benefits.

Medicare Advantage plan members had more than a 30 percent lower level of emergency room visits, and 40 percent lower level of inpatient hospital care, compared to beneficiaries with fee-for-service Medicare. In addition to improving health, these outcomes demonstrate real savings for people with Medicare and the health system. Medicare Advantage plans reinvest these savings by expanding supplemental benefits, supporting providers and coordinating care.

About Medicare Advantage Enrollment

The Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period (AEP) begins Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7, 2022. During this enrollment period, people eligible for Medicare can choose Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans for the upcoming year – with coverage that takes effect Jan. 1, 2023.

People eligible for Medicare may make a one-time election to enroll in a plan offered by an MA organization with a Star Rating of 5 Stars during the year in which that plan has the 5-star overall performance rating, provided the enrollee meets the other requirements to enroll in that plan. This 5-star special election is available Dec. 8 through Nov. 30 of the following year.