What's the Best $0 Medicare Advantage Plan in 2026?


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Best $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans

Best overall $0 Medicare Advantage plans: Kaiser Permanente

  • Overall rating

  • $0 plan availability: 8 states and D.C.

Kaiser Permanente sells highly-rated $0 Medicare Advantage plans.

Pros

  • Good customer service

Cons

  • Only in and D.C.

  • Usually limits you to certain doctors

Best $0 plans with extra perks: AARP/UnitedHealthcare (AARP/UHC)

  • Overall rating

  • $0 plan availability: 45 states

AARP/UHC's free Medicare Advantage plans come with impressive perks.

Pros

  • Great extra benefits

  • Lots of $0 plans to choose from

  • Available almost everywhere

Cons

  • Satisfaction depends on where you live

Most flexible coverage for a $0 plan: Humana

  • Overall rating

  • $0 plan availability: 45 states and D.C.

Humana sells more $0 PPO plans than any other major company.

Pros

  • $0 PPO plans let you see any doctor

  • Available almost everywhere

Cons

  • Customer service is usually below average


How can Medicare Advantage plans cost $0?

Almost everyone in the U.S. pays into the government's Medicare program. For most people, this includes paying Medicare taxes while working to fund Medicare Part A, and then paying each month for Medicare Part B when you're enrolled in Medicare.

Then, the government Medicare program gives money to insurance companies based on how many people are enrolled in their Medicare Advantage plans. When you see a $0 plan, that means that the government gives that company enough money to completely pay the monthly cost of that plan. That means you don't have to pay an extra monthly rate for that plan; you just have to pay for which is $202.90 per month in 2026.

You're still responsible for paying your medical bills until you hit your deductible, after which you may have to pay a or a until you get to your out-of-pocket maximum.


When is it worth it to upgrade to a more expensive Medicare Advantage plan?

It's usually a good idea to buy a more expensive Medicare Advantage plan if you need lots of medical care.

For example, if you take several medications, expect to need surgery in the coming year, manage a chronic condition or need expensive treatments, a $0 Medicare Advantage plan might not be the right choice.

You can check if it's worth it to upgrade by comparing the extra cost for a plan against the potential savings you're likely to get from the extra benefits. Remember to consider all types of coverage, including medical care, prescriptions, dental, vision and hearing.

But there are some $0 Medicare Advantage plans that offer very good coverage. Just because a plan is free each month doesn't mean the coverage is worse than a more expensive plan. The best way to compare Medicare Advantage plans is to look at more than just the monthly rate. Review the deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, list of covered medications and extra perks, too, to make sure the plan fits your needs.


Frequently asked questions

Are there zero-premium Medicare Advantage plans?

Yes, almost every major Medicare Advantage company sells at least one $0 plan in 2026. Most people have access to at least one $0 Medicare Advantage plan. Before you buy a plan with no monthly rate, review your options and make sure the coverage works for you.

How easy is it to get a free Medicare Advantage plan?

Free Medicare Advantage plans are widely available, and these $0 plans are offered by 95% of Medicare Advantage companies in 2026. Free plans are also popular, and about two-thirds of Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly rates.

Are $0 Medicare Advantage plans a good deal?

Yes, free Medicare Advantage plans can be a good deal because they help you keep your monthly costs low while providing a bundle of coverage that often includes prescriptions, dental and vision care. However, $0 plans are best for people who are in good health. If you have a chronic sickness or disability, you'll probably save money with a more expensive plan that has better benefits.

Which insurance company has the best free Medicare Advantage plans?

Kaiser Permanente sells the best $0 Medicare Advantage plans, but you can only get them in eight states and Washington, D.C. UnitedHealthcare and Humana are also good options, and their plans are more widely available than Kaiser's plans.


Sources and methodology

Medicare Advantage rates and star ratings for 2026 are from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Average plan benefits and ratings only include $0 Medicare Advantage plans and exclude PACE plans, special needs plans, Part B-only plans, employer-sponsored plans and sanctioned plans. Companies are grouped together by consumer brand and include subsidiaries.

Other sources include Medicare.gov, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and KFF.

About the Author

Cate Deventer
Cate Deventer

Insurance Writer

Cate Deventer is a ValuePenguin writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare, auto and home insurance. She's been a licensed insurance agent since 2011.


She started her insurance career working as a customer service agent for State Farm. She later moved to an independent agency, where she worked with several insurance companies and hundreds of clients. She quoted policies, filed claims and answered insurance questions. In 2021, she pivoted her career and began writing about insurance for Bankrate. She moved to ValuePenguin in 2023 and began writing about health insurance and Medicare.


Cate has a passion for helping readers choose insurance to fit their needs. She enjoys knowing that her research and knowledge help people choose insurance products that make a positive difference in their lives.

How insurance helped Cate

Cate used her health insurance knowledge to navigate a surgery in 2023. Understanding how her policy worked let her focus on recovery instead of worrying about bills.

Expertise

  • Health insurance
  • Medicare & Medicaid
  • Auto insurance
  • Home insurance
  • Life insurance

Credentials

  • Licensed Life, Accident & Health Insurance Agent
  • Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent

Referenced by

  • CBS
  • NBC
  • Wall Street Journal

Education

  • BA, Theatre, Purdue University
  • BA, English, Indiana University

Editorial Note: We are committed to providing accurate content that helps you make informed financial decisions. Our partners have not endorsed or commissioned this content.

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