The Humana One Health Savings Account (HSA)-compatible products provide excellent benefits with 100% coverage options and waiving of the deductible for preventive care services.
We would, however, like to see some higher deductible options. The highest Humana One HSA deductibles are $2600 for single coverage and $5150 for family coverage. This limits HSA funding (HSA deposits can't exceed your deductible) for persons who want to make maximum HSA contributions, which are, for 2007, $2850 for singles and $5650 for families.
The Humana ChoiceCare PPO network is an extensive national network with solid representation in Illinois and Indiana. You'll have little difficulty finding a participating physician or hospital throughout the populated parts of the USA. All ChoiceCare network claims are submitted straight to Humana, which owns the network.
In addition, direct network ownership usually translates into larger discounts with providers, which is good news for Humana One HSA-compatible plan policyholders.
The phone-in application is popular for people who don't like to complete forms. If you invest a little time organizing your information for the phone interview, the process typically takes about 30 minutes.
However, you may not be connected with an underwriting interviewer on your first call, and some resulting telephone tag is not unusual. In addition, phone-in application is not available during late evenings and on Sunday. You can avoid callback delays and proceed at your own pace by using the Humana One online application.
A paper application form is also available, though, if you use the paper application, it will take a few days longer for your application to be processed. However, if you're not in a hurry, this is a sensible way to submit your Humana One application.
You can access all the Humana One application options in the menu appearing to the left.
In comparison to most other health insurers, the Humana One application and underwriting process is fast -- whether you apply via the phone-in application or online application. In fact, for healthy applicants, it's not unusual for conditional approval to be issued during the phone-in application interview.
Humana has built an efficient and responsive administrative organization for the Humana One product line. Correspondingly, our customers tend to have a comparatively better experience with the Humana application process.
Through liberal use of exclusion riders and additional rate charges, Humana offers flexible coverage terms and may accept some applicants declined by other insurers.
All insurers charge more for smokers, but Humana's additional charge is more than most. We're not saying smokers should avoid the Humana One products, but there are other plans you might want to consider before Humana.
Humana will waive the pre-existing condition limitation for conditions disclosed on the application, provided benefits relating to those conditions are not already excluded under the policy. This is a definite advantage over most of the competing plans in Illinois and in Indiana.
Conditions specifically excluded by rider are never covered.
Though Humana's non-HSA plans include a decent routine maternity option, this is not available with the HSA-compatible plans.
Humana introduced the Humana One products only a few years ago. Since then, Humana One sales have grown rapidly, and Humana has done a good job of building up their administrative organization to keep pace with the needs of their customers. Phone hold times are generally short and Humana representatives are, in our view, well-trained and knowledgeable.
Though Humana is not one of the industry behemoths (such as Wellpoint, United HealthCare and Aetna), they're a Fortune 500 company and a nationally recognized player in the health insurance industry.
During the last decade a lot of multi-line insurance companies have exited the individual health insurance business. This is unlikely to happen with Humana as they're a pure health insurance company with what looks to be an unwavering commitment to the Humana One individual product.
