Healthy Options Allowance Helps Address Food Insecurity for Member in Florida

When Florida resident Patrick, 66, was exploring insurance options, he called a phone number on a postcard and reached Darlen Mangano, a licensed Humana telephonic sales agent. Darlen carefully explained his insurance options and noted that he qualified for a Humana Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP).

Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) are Medicare Advantage plans uniquely designed for people who are eligible for both Medicare (a federal program) and Medicaid (a state program). These plans help to coordinate care and benefits between Medicare and Medicaid. Plan coverage may vary by state.

Generally, persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability, like Patrick, are eligible for Medicaid—state-run programs that help to pay medical costs for certain groups of people with limited income and resources. When you’re also enrolled in a D-SNP plan, total out-of-pocket costs you pay for covered services may be less because of additional support from federal and state government programs.

Patrick chose the Humana Medicare Advantage D-SNP and Darlen became his assigned licensed sales agent and point of contact. Patrick had signed up for insurance at the tail end of a month and Darlen called him only days later at the beginning of the next month to confirm his new coverage was active.

“Darlen called me and asked, ‘What do you need? What is it that we can help you with?’” said Patrick.

She listened carefully and took action to help connect Patrick with services that would address some of the social determinants of health that impact his quality of life, including food insecurity, social isolation and homelessness.

With Patrick’s Humana MA D-SNP health plan, he receives the Healthy Options Allowance that can be used to buy eligible items like healthy food and other qualified expenses at participating locations. The allowance amounts vary by plan and location.

“Humana sends me food benefits so I can get my groceries,” said Patrick. “Anything I need, the hospital usually gives me. Or someone calls me and says, ‘You’re out of this medication, so we’re sending the prescription to the pharmacy.’ My food is from Humana. And all my medical bills are paid—from doctor bills to prescriptions—through my health insurance.”

Each person’s cost of living expenses (such as food or utilities) and healthcare needs and expenses are unique. Patrick’s description of his experience may not reflect your own experience.

Patrick was filled with such gratitude and appreciation that he put his words in writing and sent a letter.

“Humana is #1 in my mind. A true in – sure – ance company. This is a company that makes sure you get what is necessary. Everyone at Humana does their best to help me and not let me down. This is so great that they call. I feel like everyone cares!!!”

Humana health benefit plans have exclusions and limitations and terms under which the coverage may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call or write your Humana insurance agent or the company.

Allowance amounts cannot be combined with other benefit allowances. Limitations and restrictions may apply.

Your results may vary. It may not be typical to improve health conditions by taking the actions Patrick did.