Humana

Founded in 1961 in Louisville, Kentucky, Humana has one of the more remarkable stories in American health care. The company began as a nursing home operator, grew into one of the nation’s largest hospital companies, and — after taking the Humana name in 1974 — reinvented itself as one of the largest health insurers in the United States. Today, Humana is focused squarely on government health programs, with Medicare at the heart of everything it does.

What sets Humana apart is its “payer plus provider” model. Through its CenterWell arm — senior-focused primary care centers in 15 states, home health services, and one of the nation’s largest mail-order pharmacies — Humana doesn’t just pay for care, it helps deliver it. This integrated, value-based approach is designed around the needs of seniors, and Medicare Advantage members can pair their coverage with CenterWell services for more coordinated care.

Humana’s Medicare footprint is enormous: for 2026 it offers Medicare Advantage plans in 46 states plus Washington D.C., reaching roughly 85% of U.S. counties, and every one of its 2026 Medicare Advantage plans includes dental, vision, and hearing coverage. Keep in mind that Humana is a Medicare and Medicaid specialist — it does not sell ACA marketplace plans, and it exited employer group medical coverage in 2023. For Medicare shoppers, though, Humana belongs on almost every comparison list.