Humana Prescription Coverage Helps Veteran Member Save Money

Managing multiple medications and juggling costs can be a challenge, particularly when living on a fixed income. William, 75, a Humana Honor Medicare Advantage (MA) member and honored veteran, was using his Veterans Administration (VA) health care benefits to cover the cost of prescriptions, yet his remaining out-of-pocket financial responsibility was difficult to manage.

William visited his local Humana Neighborhood Center in Covington, Kentucky, to learn more about his medication options. One thing he loves about his local Center is being able to stop by and talk face-to-face. And he appreciates the personalized attention he receives through in-person services.

Communicating over the phone is difficult for William. Finding the right words he wants to say can be hard sometimes due to an existing cognitive and speech impairment.

“You don’t know how much it means to me to be able to have someone I can come see,” said William.

At the Center, William worked with Rashanda Little, Humana Customer Care Specialist, to carefully go over his medications and verify the cost of each one under different coverage options. Rashanda created a list comparing the out-of-pocket cost for each medication if it were filled through different pharmacy options, including the Veterans Administration, or Humana plan’s in-network pharmacies, like CenterWell Pharmacy, or other retail pharmacy options.  

One pharmacy option available on Humana plans is CenterWell Pharmacy—formerly Humana Pharmacy—which offers retail and secure mail-order pharmacy services to Humana members whose plans include prescription drug coverage.

Rashanda’s research revealed that seven of the 13 medications William takes would have a $0 copay, if covered by a Humana MAPD plan—Humana Medicare Advantage plan with Prescription Drug coverage—as compared to an amount up to $33 per month he was paying for some of his medications obtained through the VA.

Considering his options, William connected with the on-site MarketPoint agent of the day who helped him switch from his Humana Honor MA plan that did not include prescription coverage to a MAPD plan. Now, William’s VA benefits and the MAPD plan complement each other.

The Neighborhood Center team carefully helped William identify the most cost-effective way he could obtain his medications—whether through a plan’s over-the-counter (OTC) quarterly allowance, or a $0 copay on certain plans with Humana drug coverage, or continuing to fill three of his medications through the VA. In total, William was able to reduce his out of pocket costs for medications.

After making the switch there was one point where William became worried he didn’t have his medications yet and needed refills soon. Lauryl Kuper, Nurse and Health Educator at the Center, worked with William and together they contacted his doctor’s office and the in-network pharmacy of his choice, CenterWell Pharmacy, to get an update.

“We were able to confirm for him that his doctor had ordered his medications, and the CenterWell Pharmacy had shipped them,” said Lauryl. “They were due to arrive within 3 days!”

The team in Covington really took care of William and helped him step-by-step to find a solution to relieve some of his financial strain and would allow him to focus on better health and well-being.

Humana is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. The Humana Honor plans are available to anyone eligible for Medicare and veterans should consider all their health plan options. Other Pharmacies are available in the network.

Humana Neighborhood Centers are committed to bringing you the information and services you need when you need it. Many locations offer on-site Customer Care Specialists who can answer plan benefit questions for Humana members.​

Humana Neighborhood Centers, both in-person and online, offer educational events, programs and activities designed to help with physical and mental health. Many classes offered at local Neighborhood Centers can be used by anyone, including those who are not Humana members, at no cost. Each location offers a unique calendar of in-person or virtual events, programs and activities.

Find a location near you at Humana.com/Humana-Neighborhood-Centers.