Wellcare vs. Humana
- Wellcare and Humana both offer Medicare health plans called Medicare Advantage plans. In this review, we compare Wellcare vs. Humana to help you make the best decision for your Medicare coverage based on plan availability, Medicare quality ratings and more.
No two health insurance companies are created equally, and that’s why comparing carriers is such an important part of the experience when you shop for a Medicare plan.
In this review, we explore Wellcare vs. Humana. Both insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans in various parts of the country. We try to identify some of the key differences between these companies – such as plan availability, benefits and costs – to help in your search for the best coverage for your needs.
| Company |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Pros |
Wide variety of Medicare plans available in many areas of the U.S. Large networks of participating health care providers, doctors, hospitals and other facilities High overall Medicare plan quality ratings |
Provides a small company feel and targeted insurance products Company profile has improved following a recent merger with health care company Centene |
| Cons |
Some competitors in your area may offer more low premium Medicare Advantage plans than Humana offers |
Medicare plan quality ratings are close to the average |
| Find Plans |
Humana is one of the most popular insurance companies in the country. Nearly 1 out of every 5 Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan beneficiaries (18%) are enrolled in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan.1
Wellcare does over $20 billion in annual revenue and supplies more than five million Medicare beneficiaries with health insurance. Wellcare partner company Centene is ranked 25 on the Fortune 500 list.
Wellcare vs. Humana: Types of Insurance Plans Offered
Wellcare offers Medicare Part D prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans in certain parts of the country.
Humana, on the other hand, sells Part D plans, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans. The company is also one of the nation's largest providers of group insurance plans, standalone dental insurance plans, vision plans and more.
Areas Served with Wellcare and Humana
Wellcare Medicare Part D plans are offered in parts of all 50 states, while Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans are sold in 37 states.
Humana Medicare plans are available in parts of all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and Humana Medicare Advantage plans were sold in 89% of U.S. counties in 2023.2
Wellcare vs. Humana Provider Access
As one of the nation’s largest health insurance carriers, you’ll typically have little trouble finding a health care provider who accepts Humana. Doctor.com reports more than 580,000 providers accept Humana insurance.
Doctor.com reports that nearly 17,000 doctors accept Wellcare insurance plans. This includes emergency room doctors, surgeons, family doctors, psychiatrists, OBGYNs and more. You should always ask your doctor or provider if they accept a Wellcare Medicare plan before you enroll in the plan.
Financial Ratings
Humana maintains steady financial ratings from the leading credit agencies including:3
- Standard & Poor’s (BBB+)
- Moody’s (Baa2)
- Fitch Ratings (BBB)
- A.M. Best (bbb-)
The company also holds an “A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau.
In addition to an “A+” rating with the Better Business Bureau, Wellcare also boasts strong financial ratings, including a “BBB-” from Fitch Ratings and a “BB” from Standard and Poor’s.
Medicare Star Ratings
Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Stars are used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to indicate various measures of plan quality, with five stars being the highest score.
In 2022, 96% of Humana Medicare Advantage plan members were enrolled in a plan rated four stars or higher.2
In 2023, Wellcare received an overall rating of just 3.5 stars out of 5.2
Customer Experience
Wellcare allows plan members to locate doctors and other providers online and can log into an online account to perform additional tasks related to their benefits. Phone and email support is available (but not live chat) and two mobile apps are available.
Humana also provides accessibility to provider lookups and other benefit management online and through a member portal along with the company’s MyHumana mobile app. Customer support includes dedicated phone lines for each type of plan and live help on Twitter.
Humana vs. Wellcare: Which is Better?
Wellcare and Humana both have a lot to offer; they just do it in different ways. Whether you prefer a large corporation with more options or that small company feel with a more targeted audience, you’re likely to find what you need with either one of these options.
Speaking with a licensed insurance agent can help you explore more differences between Wellcare and Humana and bolster your chances of enrolling in the best Medicare insurance plan for your needs.
Compare these brands against other carriers like United Healthcare vs Humana and Aetna vs Wellcare.
Freed M, et al. (Aug. 9, 2023). Medicare Advantage in 2023: Enrollment Update and Key Trends. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-in-2023-enrollment-update-and-key-trends/
Freed M, et al. (Nov. 10, 2022). Medicare Advantage 2023 Spotlight: First Look. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-2023-spotlight-first-look.
Humana. Ratings Agencies. Retrieved March 2023 from https://humana.gcs-web.com/ratings-agencies.
Debt ratings represent the opinions of the rating agencies with respect to the creditworthiness and financial ability of an obligor to meet its senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts. Ratings provide both industry participants and consumers with meaningful information on specific companies and have become an increasingly important factor in establishing the competitive position of companies in the industry. Rating agencies continually review the financial performance and condition of companies and higher ratings generally indicate financial stability and a strong ability to meet financial obligations. Each of the rating agencies reviews its ratings periodically and there can be no assurance that current ratings will be maintained in the future.
