Can You Have Both Medicare and Humana Coverage at the Same Time?

Yes, you can have both Medicare and a Humana plan, but the way they work together depends on which type of Humana plan you choose

If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you can buy a Humana Medigap plan to cover costs that Medicare does not pay — copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. You keep your Medicare card and your Humana card both active. Humana pays its share after Medicare pays its share.

If you choose a Humana Medicare Advantage plan instead, you do not have Original Medicare anymore. The Medicare Advantage plan replaces Parts A and B. You still have Medicare, but you receive it through Humana rather than directly from the government. You cannot have both Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time — you must choose one or the other.

The choice between these two paths affects your costs, your doctors, and how your coverage works. Understanding the difference now prevents confusion later and helps you pick the setup that fits your situation.

Key Takeaways

A Humana Medigap plan works alongside Original Medicare to cover out-of-pocket costs, so you have both coverages active at once.
A Humana Medicare Advantage plan replaces Original Medicare entirely, so you cannot hold both at the same time.
Original Medicare with a Medigap plan usually costs more in premiums but gives you access to any doctor who accepts Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans often have lower premiums but restrict you to in-network doctors and may require referrals.
You can switch between these setups during the annual enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year.

How Medigap Plans Work Alongside Original Medicare

When you have Original Medicare and a Humana Medigap plan, the two plans coordinate. Medicare is your primary insurance — it pays first for covered services. Humana is your secondary insurance — it pays certain costs that Medicare leaves you responsible for.

For example, if you see a doctor who accepts Medicare, Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount after you meet your deductible. You would normally owe the remaining 20 percent coinsurance. A Medigap plan covers that 20 percent (depending on which Medigap plan letter you choose). You submit the claim to Medicare first, then Humana receives the explanation of benefits and pays its portion automatically.

You pay a monthly premium to both Medicare (for Part B) and Humana (for the Medigap plan). You also pay any premiums for Part D prescription drug coverage if you add it. This setup costs more in total premiums, but you have predictable out-of-pocket costs and broad access to providers.

How Medicare Advantage Plans Replace Original Medicare

A Humana Medicare Advantage plan is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare. When you enroll, you give up your Original Medicare coverage. Humana becomes your sole source for Parts A and B benefits. You still have Medicare — the federal program — but you receive it through Humana's network and rules.

Medicare Advantage plans often include prescription drug coverage (Part D) built in, so you do not buy a separate Part D plan. Many plans also cover services that Original Medicare does not, such as dental, vision, or hearing aids, though the coverage varies by plan and location.

The trade-off is that you must use doctors and hospitals in Humana's network (except in emergencies). You may need a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist. If you go out of network, you pay more or the plan may not cover the visit at all. Monthly premiums are often lower than Original Medicare plus Medigap, but your actual costs depend on how much care you use.

Comparing Costs: Medigap Versus Medicare Advantage

The total cost of each path varies by your location, your health, and which specific plan you choose. There is no single answer that applies everywhere.

With Original Medicare and a Medigap plan, you pay a Part B premium to Medicare, a Medigap premium to Humana, and a Part D premium if you add prescription coverage. Your out-of-pocket costs for covered services are usually low and predictable because Medigap covers most of what Medicare does not. You pay for anything Medicare does not cover at all, such as long-term care or routine dental work.

With a Medicare Advantage plan, you typically pay a lower or zero monthly premium, but you may pay copayments or coinsurance when you use services. If you use a lot of healthcare, these costs can add up. If you use very little healthcare, the lower premium saves you money. Some plans have an annual out-of-pocket maximum, which means your costs stop once you reach a certain amount in a calendar year.

When You Can Switch Between These Setups

You can change from Original Medicare with Medigap to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa, during the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes take effect on January 1 of the following year.

There is also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31 each year. During this window, if you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare with Medigap. You cannot use this period to enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time.

If you miss these windows, you generally cannot change plans until the next Annual Enrollment Period. The exception is if you have a may have access to life event — such as moving out of your plan's service area, losing other health coverage, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid. A may have access to event gives you a 60-day window to make changes.

What Happens to Your Medigap Plan If You Switch to Medicare Advantage

If you have a Humana Medigap plan and switch to a Humana Medicare Advantage plan, your Medigap coverage ends. You cannot have both at the same time because Medicare Advantage includes its own cost-sharing structure.

Before you switch, understand that if you later want to go back to Original Medicare and buy a Medigap plan, you may not be able to get the same plan or the same price. Medigap insurers can charge more based on your age and health history, and some may deny coverage for pre-existing conditions depending on your state's rules. The best time to buy Medigap is when you first turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B, because federal law guarantees you can buy any Medigap plan at the standard rate during that window.

Checking if Your Doctor Accepts Your Plan

Before you enroll in any Humana plan, check whether your current doctors participate. For Original Medicare with Medigap, most doctors accept Medicare, so your choice of doctor usually does not change. For Medicare Advantage, you must use Humana's network unless you are in an emergency.

Visit Humana's website and use their provider search tool, or call their member services number to ask whether specific doctors are in the plan. Ask your doctor's office directly as well — they can tell you which Humana plans they accept. If your main doctor is not in the network, ask whether they are planning to join, or whether they can refer you to someone in the network.

If you have a specialist you see regularly, confirm that both the specialist and your primary care doctor (if the plan requires one) are in the network. Out-of-network care can be expensive or not covered at all.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Humana Before You Decide

Before you enroll, write down these questions and call Humana's member services line or speak with your doctor:

Does my primary care doctor accept this plan?
Does my specialist accept this plan?
If I choose Medicare Advantage, do I need a referral to see a specialist?
What is the annual out-of-pocket maximum for this plan?
Does this plan cover my current medications, and at what cost?
If I choose Medigap, which plan letter (A, B, C, D, etc.) covers the most?
Can I switch plans next year if I am not satisfied?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have Original Medicare, a Medigap plan, and a Medicare Advantage plan all at the same time?

No. You can have Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, or you can have a Medicare Advantage plan, but not all three. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare, so if you enroll in it, your Medigap coverage must end.

If I have a Humana Medigap plan, do I still have Medicare?

Yes. You have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) as your primary coverage, and the Humana Medigap plan as your secondary coverage. Both are active, and you use both cards when you see a doctor.

What if I switch from Medigap to Medicare Advantage and then want to switch back?

You can switch back during the Annual Enrollment Period or if you have a may have access to life event. However, when you buy a new Medigap plan, the insurance company may charge you more based on your age and health, and some conditions may not be covered. Switching away from Medigap can be costly if you want to return later.

Do I need a referral to see a specialist with a Humana Medigap plan?

No. With Original Medicare and Medigap, you do not need a referral. You can see any doctor who accepts Medicare. With a Humana Medicare Advantage plan, you usually need a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist.

Can I have both Medicare and Medicaid along with a Humana plan?

Yes. If you may have access to for both Medicare and Medicaid (called "dual may be able to access"), you can have a Humana Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan. Some Humana plans are designed specifically for dual-may be able to access people. Contact Humana to ask about plans in your state.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.