Pro Tip: To learn more about the costs of Medicare, read our guide to Medicare costs.
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January 6, 2023
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View PlansAvailable nationwide, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans combine Original Medicare benefits with coverage for gym memberships, dental, vision, and hearing health. Many of these Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 premium.
Not only can a Medicare Advantage plan help you keep costs down, but many of these $0 premium plans also include coverage for prescription medications.
There are many times when you may hear the term “Free Medicare Plans;” however, free is a bit misleading as there are still costs associated with the plans. For example, with Medicare Advantage, you’ll still have to pay your Part B premiums.
Pro Tip: To learn more about the costs of Medicare, read our guide to Medicare costs.
| Provider | Plans with $0 Premiums* |
|---|---|
| Aetna | 8 |
| Cigna | 3 |
| Humana | 13 |
| Wellcare | 7 |
| Anthem | 8 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 8 |
*The premiums for Medicare Advantage plans will vary by location.
Aetna has been around since the 1800s and is one of the most notable Medicare Advantage providers.
They have plans throughout the United States. In addition to Medicare Advantage plans, Aetna is a provider of Medicare Supplement plans, Part D Prescription Drug Plans, and ancillary insurance products. Aetna’s SilverScript Medicare Part D company is well known for its excellent prescription drug coverage.
Aetna is part of CVS Health Corporation and has an AM Best Rating of A+. Aetna is one of the few Medicare Advantage plans that allow dental implants on some of their plans.
In addition to Medicare products, they provide Life, Dental, Vision, and Hearing Insurance options. Aetna’s PPO plans have easy access and even allow you to receive in-network services with select doctors when traveling out of your plan’s service area.
To learn more about Aetna’s plans, read our guide to Aetna Medicare Advantage.
Cigna is a reliable insurance company with a high financial strength rating of A- from AM Best. They strive for customer satisfaction.
Despite solid feedback from its customers, Cigna’s plans still have lower star ratings than many of its competitors. Cigna also has a more limited number of plans than most providers.
In addition to Medicare Advantage plans, Cigna offers other health care products such as Medigap insurance, dental, vision, and hearing coverage, as well as several ancillary products such as critical illness and hospital indemnity plans.
Cigna has several health plans that participate in the Senior Savings Model program to help with insulin costs. The Senior Savings Model helps keep the insulin costs down for beneficiaries that enroll in one of their participating plans.
To learn more about this provider, read our guide to Cigna Medicare Advantage.
Plans with $0 Premiums:
Overview
Humana has two companies they offer Medicare Advantage plans through in St Petersburg, Florida. They have their typical Humana Brand and CarePlus.
The Humana branded plans will typically have a more comprehensive network. Humana is a leader when it comes to additional plan extras with generous over-the-counter benefits, SilverSneaker fitness rewards, and great transportation options.
Humana has some of the best customer services, and to date, they use representatives that are in the United States. So many insurance carriers have shipped their customer service departments overseas. It’s nice to see a company that, at least for now, handles it at home.
Of course, the benefits will vary from plan to plan and depend on where you reside. In many areas, Humana has one of the lower maximum out-of-pocket amounts for medical services. Humana has an extensive network of providers, making it easy to find a doctor you’ll like.
Humana also offers Medicare Supplement Insurance to offset the healthcare costs left over from Medicare. Their Medicare Advantage plan types include Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), Private Fee For Service (PFFS), and Special Needs Plans (SNP).
To learn more about Humana, read our guides to Humana dental and Humana Medicare Advantage.
Although Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans are only available in 36 states, we think they’re one of the best options for affordable (or non-existent) premiums, as well as extra benefits.
Wellcare has specialized plans for those with chronic conditions, and these plans often offer extra benefits like free meal delivery, as well as flexible spending allowances on hearing, health, and vision care.
On certain plans, Wellcare will even pay for a portion of the policyholder’s utility bills, something rarely seen with Medicare Advantage plans.
Anthem is the most prominent member of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. They offer Medicare Advantage plans in several states but aren’t nationwide. They also offer Anthem Medicare Supplement plans.
Still, they provide excellent plan options in the areas they service. They are a financially sound company with an AM Best rating of A.
Anthem offers plan extras that aren’t included under Medicare coverage. These benefits include wellness programs, Health Pantry service, LiveHealth online, and a 24-hour nurse helpline.
Members with chronic health conditions can qualify for pest control and service dog support.
They can receive routine pest control and have an allowance to spend annually for approved service dog supplies.
Anthem is a trusted name and well-known for taking care of the needs of its members. They have innovative online apps that help Medicare beneficiaries get the most out of their Medicare Advantage Plan.
To learn more about this provider, check out our full rundown of Anthem Medicare Advantage.
Plans with $0 Premiums:
UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medicare plan provider in the U.S. They have plan options nationwide and provide the most significant benefits for healthy foods in many areas. They are a financially sound company with an A- rating from AM Best.
Endorsed by AARP, they seem to have some additional insight on how to design their plan offerings for today’s Medicare beneficiaries. They are unique in allowing their members more flexibility to use their OTC benefits more freely than most other insurance providers.
You can use all or part of the benefits for over-the-counter items or healthy food. In addition, mail order is available but not required to purchase the OTC items. In addition to Medicare Advantage plans, UnitedHealthcare also offers Medigap plans.
To learn more about this provider, read our full review of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.
When searching for a free Medicare Advantage plan, you should consider speaking with a licensed insurance agent. They can help you navigate the plans in your area and check your prescriptions and doctors, and look for the most important benefits.
You can’t enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan at any time. You must have a valid enrollment period, such as the Initial Enrollment Period, Annual Enrollment Period, Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, or a Special Enrollment Period. Your agent can assist you in determining when these timeframes will occur.
Also, be sure to check out our rundown of this year’s best Medicare Advantage plans overall.
No. There are costs associated with all Medicare Plans. The only exception is if you receive assistance from Medicaid that covers your remaining expenses. While these plans may have a $0 premium, there are out-of-pocket costs in the form of copays, deductibles, and coinsurance that you’re responsible for paying when you use the plan.
Medicare Advantage plans receive money from the Medicare program for each individual who enrolls. Plans with $0 premiums will usually have tighter networks, higher copays, and fewer plan extras. However, this isn’t always the case. If you live in an area with a lot of competition between companies, you can get excellent benefits on a $0 premium plan.
When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll be responsible for continuing to pay your Medicare premiums and any premiums, copays, deductibles, or coinsurance outlined by the plan.
While you can enroll in a $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan in many areas, the average monthly cost of a Part C plan ranges between $38 and $105 per month. You’ll also have to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
