$0 Premium Medicare Advantage Plans 2027: How They Work, What They Really Cost and How to Find One

Medicare pays the plan every month. When you join a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare pays the insurance company a set amount per member to cover your Part A and Part B benefits.

Plans that bid below Medicare’s benchmark get a rebate. Plans can use that rebate to lower premiums, add extra benefits such as dental or vision, or reduce your Part B premium.

Networks keep costs down. Most $0 plans are HMOs or PPOs that use a provider network and may require prior authorization for some services.

You pay when you use care. Copays, coinsurance and deductibles are how a $0 plan shares costs with you.

$0 premium plan: the plan charges no monthly premium of its own. You still pay the full Part B premium.

Part B giveback plan: the plan pays part of your Part B premium, which raises your Social Security check or lowers your bill. KFF found about 1 in 3 Medicare Advantage enrollees were in plans with a Part B reduction in 2026.

Trade-offs: giveback plans may have higher copays or fewer extra benefits than other $0 plans, depending on the plan.

Prescription drug coverage, since most $0 plans are MA-PD plans. Learn more about Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans.

Dental, vision and hearing benefits, depending on the plan.

Fitness programs and over-the-counter allowances in some plans.

Lower copays for preferred providers when you stay in network.

Want a low fixed monthly cost

Are generally healthy and see doctors a few times a year

Are comfortable using a provider network

Want drug, dental or vision coverage in one plan

Expect frequent specialist visits or hospital stays

Want to see any doctor nationwide without a network

Travel or live part of the year in another state

List your doctors and hospitals. Check that they are in the plan’s network.

Run your prescriptions. Drug deductibles and tiers vary even among $0 plans.

Compare out-of-pocket maximums. A $0 plan with a lower MOOP protects you more in a bad year.

Check the star rating. See the 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings.

Read the Annual Notice of Change. If you’re already in a $0 plan, confirm it is still $0 for 2027.

Enroll on time. Medicare Open Enrollment 2027 runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.