Are you considering your health care coverage for 2026? Humana is launching its new Medicare Advantage plans with improved benefits and services to make life easier.

Moreover, this year’s plans are centered around more sustainable benefits, facilitated preventive care, and improved support for chronic conditions. Since coverage and networks may vary in every county, it’s even more important to carefully review your 2026 options.

Humana’s Strategy for Medicare Advantage 2026 — Simplicity, Stability, And Quality

Humana will be taking its Medicare Advantage strategy for 2026 and will focus on three important themes: simplicity, stability, and quality. Next year, over 80% of Humana’s MA members will have stable benefits in their plan, which means fewer annual changes to covered items and methods of allowable coverage.

The most significant change is that all of Humana’s non-special needs MA plans will now include and cover baseline benefits for dental, vision, and hearing. This moves these benefits from “extras” to new-member baseline benefits.

On top of this, Humana is focusing on preventive care, and will cover “zero cost” in-network preventive services (i.e., screenings) for many of its plans.  This will give members predictable access to important health screenings.

Key takeaways

• Humana is prioritizing consistency in benefit design.
• Dental, vision, and hearing are now standard in many plans.
• Preventive services get stronger support and cost predictability.

New And Improved Benefits

Preventive Screenings at No Extra Cost

In 2026, Humana MA will cover in-network screenings for essential services such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and bone density screenings without additional fees for preventive visits. This is part of Humana’s wider purpose to help our members identify health concerns earlier with more accessible preventive screening services.

In short, preventive health services are more accessible than before, thanks to zero-cost screenings.

Chronic Kidney / Dialysis Support

Humana is planning to enhance its offerings for members with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD). For specific 2026 MA plans (including some non-special-need ones), Humana will offer $0 or very low copays for in-network dialysis in addition to care coordination and assistance with transportation to dialysis appointments (Availability varies by plan and county).

Humana has also established value-based care partnerships, like with Strive Health, to deliver integrated support for kidney care, which includes coordinated clinical care teams, medication management, and social services.

Key takeaway: Kidney care has been added as a benefit in selected Humana MA plans, allowing members who receive care in the dialysis clinic or those who live with CKD improved access and affordability to kidney care.

Cost And Part D Prescription Drug Updates

Prescription drug coverage under Part D is getting a big overhaul in 2026. Humana highlights several changes aimed at improving cost predictability.

• The maximum out-of-pocket (OOP) cost for Part D rises to $2,100 under the Inflation Reduction Act provisions.
• The Part D deductible also increases, going up to $615 in 2026.
• Humana’s Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP), which lets members spread their Part D costs over the year, will automatically renew each year unless you opt out.
• All ACIP-recommended vaccines will have no cost sharing under Humana’s 2026 Part D coverage.

Key takeaways

• Drug spending becomes more predictable with a firm cap.
• Deductible goes up, but is balanced by OOP protections.
• Automatic payment plans make managing costs easier.
• Preventive vaccines remain covered at no extra cost.

Plan Availability And Network Changes For 2026

Despite Humana’s focus on stability, plan options are not necessarily the same all over the country. Based on Humana’s own notices, plan availability will vary geographically, although baseline benefits will remain fairly consistent.

In Humana’s 2026 offering, we see new regional expansions, as we see increases in new kidney-care enhanced plans for Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina, and Virginia.

At the same time, there are changes to provider networks, so members, both current and prospective, will want to pay attention to their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) for 2026 – this outlines the changes made to hospital and provider contracts.

Key takeaways

• Expect stable benefits, but not uniform plan choices everywhere.
• Certain regions will gain new specialized benefits (especially for kidney care).
• Review the ANOC to confirm your providers stay in-network.

Quality And Ratings Outlook

Quality ratings are also important when you are considering Medicare Advantage plans. And for the next year, Humana reports that about 20% of its MA  members are enrolling in plans that are rated 4 stars or higher. Moreover, these star ratings not only influence the satisfaction of a customer but also how much Medicare reimburses insurers. However, while higher star ratings are a positive quality signal, they’re only one part of the decision-making puzzle.

Key takeaways

• A growing segment of Humana’s membership is in higher-rated plans.
• Star ratings matter for quality and cost, but don’t tell the full story.

What You Should Do During Open Enrollment

Here’s what to keep in mind for the Annual Election Period (AEP) (Oct 15 through Dec 7):

1. Compare your current 2025 plan with the 2026 options, especially by reviewing the ANOC and Summary of Benefits.
2. Check whether any new kidney-care-enhanced plans or preventive-benefit changes apply in your ZIP code.
3. Reassess your Part D coverage in light of the new $2,100 cap and $615 deductible.

Key takeaways

• Don’t assume your old plan is still the best — changes may make a different plan better.
• Use Humana’s plan comparison tools and official documents to make informed decisions.
• Consider whether the new benefits or cost structures better serve your health needs.

Where To Find Reliable And Official Plan Information

To make smart decisions for 2026, use these trusted resources:

• Use Humana’s Medicare Plan Finder on their website to explore 2026 MA and PDP options by ZIP, cost, and benefits.
• Read the 2026 Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Summary of Benefits documents — both are published on Humana’s policy site.
• Cross-check plans and pricing on Medicare.gov’s Plan Finder tool, which helps you compare side-by-side.

Pick 2026 with Confidence By Understanding What’s Changed

Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans for 2026 bring stability, extras (dental, vision, hearing), and drug-cost protection, but options will vary by county. Be sure to review your ANOC, assess ‘how Part D works,’ and take advantage of Humana’s tools to compare plans. For additional help, please visit Medicare Sharks for a licensed expert who can guide you to the best plan for your needs.