Humana Expands Cancer Care for Medicare Advantage Members Through Atlas Oncology Partnership

Key Terms

medicare advantage regulatory

Medicare Advantage is a type of health insurance plan offered by private companies that covers services traditionally provided by government-run Medicare. Think of it as a bundled package that combines hospital, doctor, and other medical care into one plan, often with added benefits. For investors, it matters because the popularity and profitability of these plans can influence healthcare companies and the broader health insurance industry.

oncology medical

Oncology is the branch of medicine focused on understanding, diagnosing, and treating cancer, including the development and testing of drugs, therapies, and screening methods. It matters to investors because advances, trial results, regulatory approvals, or setbacks in cancer research can dramatically change the value of companies and the size of potential markets—think of oncology news as weather reports that help investors steer financial decisions in a high-stakes field.

palliative care medical

Palliative care is medical and supportive treatment focused on easing symptoms, pain and emotional stress for people with serious illness, rather than trying to cure the underlying disease. For investors it matters because demand for palliative services, drugs and devices, staffing and facility types affects health-care spending, reimbursement patterns and market growth—think of it as the comfort and support side of medicine that creates its own steady stream of products and services.

value-based care financial

A health-care delivery approach that rewards providers for keeping patients healthy and improving outcomes instead of charging for each test or visit. For investors, it matters because it shifts where profits and losses come from—favoring providers and technologies that lower long-term costs, prevent complications, and demonstrate measurable results; think of it like paying a contractor only when the house stays sound, which changes who wins and loses financially.

• Eligible Humana Medicare Advantage members in Tennessee and Mississippi now have access to Atlas Oncology Partners’ coordinated oncology care model.
• The program integrates interdisciplinary care teams, including oncologists, nurses, social workers and patient navigators, to coordinate cancer treatment and supportive care.
• Expanded clinical and supportive services aim to reduce gaps in care, improve quality of life, and help patients avoid unnecessary emergency or urgent care visits.

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leading health and well-being company Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) today announced it is entering into a partnership with Atlas Oncology Partners to make cancer care simpler, more supportive and focused on improving patients’ quality of life.

Humana's partnership with Atlas Oncology is designed to make care simpler and more connected -- bringing together doctors, nurses, patient navigators, social works and other specialist to support patients every step of the way.

Cancer care often means seeing several doctors and making frequent visits, which can feel overwhelming for patients and providers alike. For Medicare beneficiaries, this can lead to gaps in care and important needs being overlooked. Humana’s partnership with Atlas Oncology is designed to make care simpler and more connected – bringing together doctors, nurses, patient navigators, social workers and other specialists to support patients every step of the way, including virtual urgent care and palliative care when needed.

“Patients often feel overwhelmed from the moment they hear the words ‘you have cancer.’ When care isn’t connected, it can create unnecessary hurdles at an already difficult time. A coordinated team guiding them at every step helps to ease the burden,” said Oraida Roman, Humana’s Senior Vice President of National Provider Strategies and Operations. “Coordinated, holistic care is core to Humana’s leadership in value-based care. By integrating care teams and resources, we’re helping patients get the right care at the right time, improving quality of life and reducing barriers.”

How the Atlas Oncology Care Model Works

Humana Medicare Advantage members who are eligible for this program in Tennessee and Mississippi have access to the Atlas care model services as of Jan. 1, 2026. These services and resources include:

• Embedded, holistic patient support. A local interdisciplinary care team managed by Atlas delivers additional high value wrap-around services to patients, in partnership with providers.
• Cancer-Adjacent Condition Management. On-site and virtual clinical support for patients navigating medical conditions that can negatively affect their health but often go under addressed during a cancer diagnosis.
• Care Coordination and Psychosocial Support. Proactive screening, care coordination, social work, and counseling to address barriers to care and provide high levels of patient satisfaction and engagement.
• Expanded Patient Access to Clinical Support. Real-time support so patients never feel alone. Same-day or next-day appointments with in-person and virtual resources to help reduce avoidable emergency room or urgent care visits.
• Integrated communication between clinicians. Proactive communication with cancer patients enables a comprehensive care plan that addresses clinical and quality of life needs. Atlas ensures oncology teams, other specialists, and PCPs have real-time updates, enabling proactive, collaborative care planning.
• Advanced supportive care. Advanced clinical practitioners provide in-person resources focused on optimizing quality of life, clarifying goals of care, and ensuring patients’ values and preferences are central to treatment decision-making.

“Our mission is to empower oncology practices with resources and support that impact patient quality of life and outcomes,” said Kate Barnard Roberts, President and Co-Founder at Atlas. “We are proud to partner with Humana as they expand value-based care into oncology and deliver embedded, coordinated, and comprehensive support for seniors throughout their cancer journey.”

Other providers are available in the Humana network. Provider may also contract with other plan sponsors.

About Humana

Humana Inc. is committed to putting health first – for our teammates, our customers, and our company. Through our Humana insurance services, and our CenterWell health care services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large. Learn more about what we offer at Humana.com and at CenterWell.com.

About Atlas Oncology Partners

Atlas Oncology Partners is dedicated to delivering uplifting and responsive cancer care during and beyond treatment. By partnering with leading oncologists and taking full medical cost risk, Atlas offers an innovative solution that delivers better care experiences while easing the economic strain of cancer treatment. Learn more at www.atlasoncpartners.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260113852974/en/

Humana Media Contact:

Cait Crenshaw Whatley

Humana Corporate Communications

cwhatley@humana.com

Atlas Oncology Media Contact:

Emma Nosseir

Chief of Staff, Atlas Oncology Partners

info@atlasoncpartners.com

Source: Humana Inc.