Humana Medicare Advantage plans work on a calendar year, and right now two plan years overlap. If you live in Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid or elsewhere in Highlands County, your current coverage is a 2026 plan, while Medicare’s Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026, is when you choose your coverage for 2027. This guide explains the difference, the key dates, the plan notices to read and how to compare plans, using Medicare.gov and Humana as sources. Shield Medical Group in Sebring accepts all Humana plan types.
Humana Medicare Advantage plans 2026 vs. 2027: which year are you choosing?
Your Humana Medicare Advantage plan for 2026 covers you now. The choices you make during Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026, are for 2027, and new coverage begins January 1, 2027.
Medicare & You 2027 says that during Open Enrollment you can change your Medicare health or drug coverage for 2027: you can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare drug plan, or switch to Original Medicare.
Humana’s website now shows 2027 Medicare Advantage plans for Open Enrollment, and it describes its 2026 plans as coverage up to December 31, 2026. So if you search for Humana Medicare Advantage plans 2026 today, remember that those are the plans in effect this year; the plans you pick during Open Enrollment start in 2027.
Medicare.gov also notes that Medicare Advantage plan costs and rules can change each year, and the plan must tell you about changes before the next plan year starts.
In practice, this means two things for most people this fall. First, keep using your current Humana card and plan for care through the end of 2026. Second, use your Annual Notice of Change and Medicare.gov/plan-compare to decide whether your plan still fits you for 2027, or whether another plan would fit better.
As a quick refresher, a Medicare Advantage plan is offered by a private company that must follow rules set by Medicare. You still pay your monthly Part B premium and may also pay the plan’s premium. Most plans include Medicare drug coverage (Part D), and you may need to use doctors in the plan’s network for non-emergency care.
Sources: Medicare & You 2027 handbook (Medicare.gov); Shop 2027 Humana Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) (Humana); Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage (Medicare.gov)
Key dates for Humana Medicare Advantage plans 2027
Start comparing in October, make changes by December 7, and expect new coverage on January 1, 2027.
Medicare & You 2027 suggests starting on October 1, 2026 to compare your current coverage with options for 2027. Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.
On January 1, 2027, new coverage begins if you made a change. If you kept your existing plan and its costs or benefits changed, those changes also start then.
If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare from January 1 to March 31, 2027.
Outside these windows, Medicare & You 2027 explains that you generally cannot change plans during the year. In certain situations, like if you move or lose other insurance coverage, you may be able to join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan during a Special Enrollment Period.
- Oct 1, 2026: Start comparing 2027 options.
- Oct 15 to Dec 7, 2026: Open Enrollment.
- Jan 1, 2027: New coverage begins.
- Jan 1 to Mar 31, 2027: Medicare Advantage members can switch.
Sources: Medicare & You 2027 handbook (Medicare.gov); Joining a plan: enrollment periods (Medicare.gov)
Read your Humana Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage
Every year your plan sends two important documents: the Annual Notice of Change, by September 30, and a notice or copy of the Evidence of Coverage, by October 15.
Medicare & You 2027 explains that the Annual Notice of Change lists changes in coverage, costs, provider networks, service area and more that will take effect in January. The Evidence of Coverage gives details about what the plan covers and how much you pay in the next year.
If you do not get these documents, contact your plan. For Humana members, the Member Services number is on the back of your Humana card.
Medicare & You 2027 also notes that providers can join or leave a plan’s network at any time during the year. If that happens, you usually will not be able to change plans, but you can choose a new provider. That is one more reason to check your doctors each fall.
When you read the notice, look for changes to the things you use most: your monthly premium, copays for doctor visits, your prescriptions, and whether your doctors and pharmacy are still in network. Write down questions as you go so you can ask the plan, a SHIP counselor or our office.
- Annual Notice of Change: what changes in January
- Annual Notice of Change: sent by September 30
- Evidence of Coverage: what the plan covers and costs
- Evidence of Coverage: notice sent by October 15
Sources: Medicare & You 2027 handbook (Medicare.gov)
Types of Humana Medicare Advantage plans
Humana’s website lists HMO plans, PPO plans, Special Needs Plans (SNPs) and private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans.
Medicare.gov explains that in most HMOs you choose a primary care doctor and need referrals to see specialists, and you generally must use the plan’s network except in emergencies. In a PPO you pay less in network, can usually see out-of-network providers for covered services at a higher cost, and do not need referrals. Even in an HMO, Medicare.gov notes that certain services, like yearly mammogram screenings, do not require a referral, and a PPO always covers emergency and urgent care.
Many Humana plans include routine dental, vision and hearing coverage, and Humana says some of its plans offer $0 copays for visits to in-network primary care providers. Check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage for your exact benefits and costs.
Every Medicare Advantage plan has a yearly limit on what you pay for covered Medicare services, according to Medicare.gov. Once you reach it, you pay nothing for covered services for the rest of the year.
A few other rules are worth knowing. If you join an HMO that does not offer drug coverage, Medicare.gov says you cannot join a separate Medicare drug plan. In a PPO, contact your plan before you get services from an out-of-network provider to make sure they are medically necessary and covered. With any Medicare Advantage plan, you may need prior authorization before the plan covers certain services or supplies.
Sources: Shop 2027 Humana Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) (Humana); Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) (Medicare.gov); Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) (Medicare.gov); Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage (Medicare.gov)
What a Humana plan covers beyond Original Medicare
Medicare Advantage plans must cover all medically necessary services that Original Medicare covers, and many also offer extra benefits.
Medicare.gov explains that Original Medicare does not cover some services, like routine physical exams, eye exams and most dental care. Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits that Original Medicare does not cover, like some vision, hearing and dental services.
Humana says its plans may also include $0 copays for routine vaccines, for preventive and diagnostic mammograms and colonoscopies, and for preventive bone density and prostate exams. Benefits differ from plan to plan, so check the Evidence of Coverage for the plan you are considering.
One cost rule surprises some people: Medicare.gov says you cannot buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy to cover out-of-pocket costs in a Medicare Advantage plan, although coverage from a current or former employer or union, or Medicaid, may help.
Medicare.gov’s HMO page adds some protections. If your doctor leaves the plan, the plan will notify you and you can choose another provider in the plan. Plans cannot charge more than Original Medicare for certain services, like chemotherapy, dialysis and skilled nursing facility care.
Sources: Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage (Medicare.gov); Shop 2027 Humana Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) (Humana); Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) (Medicare.gov)
How to compare Humana Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 in Sebring
Check your drugs, your doctors and pharmacies, and your costs before you choose a plan for 2027.
Medicare.gov suggests checking that a plan covers your prescriptions, asking your doctors and pharmacies whether they are in the plan’s network, and reviewing costs like premiums, deductibles and estimated drug costs. If you live in another state for part of the year, check whether the plan covers you there.
At Medicare.gov/plan-compare you can add the providers who matter most to you, and your search results will show whether they are in network with the plans you are considering. Medicare uses star ratings from 1 to 5 to help you compare plans on quality and performance.
On Humana’s website you can enter your ZIP code to see the Humana plans available in your area and use its tool to find plans that cover your doctors and drugs.
When you compare, add every prescription drug you take regularly. Medicare.gov says this gives you the most accurate monthly and yearly cost estimate for each plan. Plans available in your area are also listed in the back of your Medicare & You handbook.
For free, unbiased help, Florida’s SHINE program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) offers one-on-one Medicare counseling through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and your local Area Agency on Aging. SHINE services are free, unbiased and confidential, and Medicare.gov notes that these programs are not connected to any insurance company or health plan.
- Step 1: Check your prescriptions.
- Step 2: Ask if your doctors are in network.
- Step 3: Compare premiums and yearly costs.
- Step 4: Get free help from Florida SHINE.
Sources: Joining a plan: enrollment periods (Medicare.gov); Medicare & You 2027 handbook (Medicare.gov); SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), Florida Department of Elder Affairs
If you switch to a new plan for 2027
You can join a new plan at Medicare.gov/plan-compare, by contacting the plan, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Your new coverage starts January 1, 2027.
Medicare.gov lists three ways to join: select Enroll for the plan you want at Medicare.gov/plan-compare, contact the plan by phone or on its website, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. If you mail a paper form, the plan must get it before your enrollment period ends.
If you have other health insurance or drug coverage, such as retiree coverage, Medicare.gov says to talk to your benefits administrator before you join a plan or make any changes.
If you are in the middle of a treatment, Medicare.gov says that when you switch to a new plan you will have at least 90 days before the new plan can ask you to get a new prior approval for that ongoing treatment. Bring a current list of your medicines and specialists to your next visit so your care team can help you plan.
Sources: Joining a plan: enrollment periods (Medicare.gov); Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) (Medicare.gov)
Keeping your doctor at Shield Medical Group in Sebring
Shield Medical Group in Sebring accepts all Humana plan types, including Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans, such as Humana Gold Plus HMO.
Dr. Kulmeet Kundlas and Dr. Carlos Baez see adults at our Sebring office for checkups, Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, ongoing care for long-term conditions and same-day appointments, and we accept walk-ins during office hours. A yearly Wellness Visit is a good time to review your medicines and the screenings that are due for you.
Our Sebring office is at 4597 Casablanca Cir. When you compare plans for 2027, from Humana or other companies, you can add our doctors at Medicare.gov/plan-compare to see whether they are in network with each plan.
For questions about your Humana benefits, such as copays or referral rules, call the Member Services number on the back of your Humana card. For questions about your visit or to book an appointment, call our Sebring office at (863) 236-9550.
Sources: Primary Care Doctor in Sebring, FL (Shield Medical Group, Sebring office page)
Related: Humana Medicare Advantage in Sebring: How It Works With Your Doctor
Related: Humana Doctors in Sebring, FL: 2 Trusted Doctors, All Plans Accepted
Related: Medicare Advantage AEP: 5 Tips to Win Open Enrollment
Related: Medicare Advantage: Check Your Doctors in 3 Steps
Related: MOOP Medicare Advantage: 5 Facts About Your Best Safety Net
Related: Primary Care Doctors in Sebring, FL
Related: Annual Wellness Visit
Frequently asked questions
Will Humana offer Medicare Advantage plans in 2027?
Yes. Humana’s website lists 2027 Medicare Advantage plans for Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026. Plans differ by area, so check plans for your ZIP code on Humana’s site or Medicare.gov/plan-compare.
When does my 2026 Humana plan end?
Humana describes its 2026 plans as coverage up to December 31, 2026. A plan you choose during Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026, starts January 1, 2027.
Can I still change my Humana Medicare Advantage plan 2026?
Changes you make during Open Enrollment take effect January 1, 2027. Medicare & You 2027 says you generally cannot change plans during the year unless a Special Enrollment Period applies.
Do Humana Medicare Advantage plans change every year?
They can. Medicare.gov says plan costs and rules can change each year. Your Annual Notice of Change, sent by September 30, lists changes that take effect in January.
What happens if I keep my Humana plan and do nothing?
Medicare & You 2027 says that if you keep your existing coverage and your plan’s costs or benefits changed, those changes start January 1, 2027. Read your Annual Notice of Change to see them.
Are Humana Medicare Advantage plans good?
It depends on your needs. A plan that fits one person may not fit another. Compare each plan’s network, drug coverage, yearly costs and star rating at Medicare.gov/plan-compare, and ask Florida SHINE for free, unbiased help if you want a second opinion.
Where can I get free help comparing plans in Highlands County?
Florida SHINE offers free, unbiased and confidential one-on-one Medicare counseling through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and your local Area Agency on Aging. Visit floridashine.org to request assistance or find enrollment events in your area.
How are Humana Medicare Advantage plans rated?
Medicare rates plans from 1 to 5 stars on quality and performance, and you can see ratings when you compare plans at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. If a 5-star plan is available in your area, Medicare & You 2027 says you can switch to it once between December 8 and November 30 of the following year.
Does Shield Medical Group accept Humana Medicare Advantage plans?
Yes. Shield Medical Group in Sebring accepts all Humana plan types. Call (863) 236-9550 to book a visit.
References
- Primary Care Doctor in Sebring, FL (Shield Medical Group, Sebring office page)
- Medicare & You 2027 handbook (Medicare.gov)
- Joining a plan: enrollment periods (Medicare.gov)
- Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage (Medicare.gov)
- Shop 2027 Humana Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) (Humana)
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) (Medicare.gov)
- Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) (Medicare.gov)
- SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Educational only; talk to your clinician. This article is general health education, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
