Humana Announces New Medicare Advantage Plan and Benefit Options for West Virginia in 2019

Oct. 23, 2018 – Leading health and well-being company Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) will offer new and expanded Medicare Advantage plan and benefit options in West Virginia in 2019, providing a wider array of choice as West Virginians choose coverage during this year’s Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period (AEP).

The AEP runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2018.  Those who enroll in a Humana Medicare plan during that time will have coverage that takes effect Jan. 1, 2019.

In its 2019 offerings, Humana is pleased to announce additional Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Medicare Advantage plan options in West Virginia:

• Charleston Area: Humana is introducing a new, $0 premium Gold Plus® HMO in Boone, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam counties.
• In 45 counties across the state:  Humana is introducing a new HumanaChoice® PPO plan.
• Statewide: Humana is expanding the availability of the Humana Value Plus® PPO plan throughout the entire state.
• These Gold Plus® HMO, HumanaChoice® PPO, and Humana Value Plus® PPO plans offer SilverSneakers, which provides memberships at participating fitness centers, and access to classes designed with the Medicare beneficiary in mind; and an Over-the-Counter (OTC) quarterly allowance that can be spent on OTC health and wellness products from Humana Pharmacy®, including first-aid supplies, aspirin, and cold and allergy medicine

In addition, for the first time, Humana is offering a Medicare Advantage transportation benefit in West Virginia, offering it in select 2019 Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans in the state.  The benefit will enable members to secure transportation, at no additional cost, to pre-approved locations – including medical, dental, and dialysis appointments, as well as SilverSneakers-affiliated fitness centers – for non-emergency medical purposes.  Members will be able to reserve transportation by car or van in advance by calling a toll-free reservation line, with wheelchair-accessible vehicles available.  Plans vary with regard to the number of rides allowed per year and the allowable per-ride mileage.

“Humana is pleased to offer new plan and benefit options for Medicare Advantage coverage in West Virginia,” said Eric Bohannon, Humana Regional President for Medicare in West Virginia.  “Humana is committed to the communities we serve.  We’re proud to help West Virginians find coverage that fits their particular health care needs.”

Humana offers Medicare Advantage plans in each of West Virginia’s 55 counties; all plans statewide include SilverSneakers, as well as:

• Access to a 24-hour nurse non-emergency advice line.
• Go365^TM, a wellness and rewards program designed to motivate and reward members for taking steps to maintain their health, like recommended wellness screenings, flu shots, and other healthy activities.
• Humana Well Dine®, which provides nutritious meals to eligible Medicare members recovering from an inpatient stay in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans provide people with Medicare affordable alternatives to original Medicare alone, or original Medicare paired with a Medicare Supplement plan.  With Humana Medicare Advantage plans, members can enjoy all the benefits of original Medicare, as well as additional benefits and important financial protections for their healthcare costs.

West Virginia residents seeking more information about enrolling in Humana plans can visit www.Humana.com/Medicare or speak with one of Humana’s licensed sales agents by calling 1-877-877-0714 (TTY: 711) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week.