What “$0 premium” really means
The $0 is the plan’s own premium. It doesn’t touch your Part B premium, which you keep paying: $202.90 a month in 2026, or more if IRMAA applies.
So the true monthly floor for a $0 plan is your Part B premium, not zero.
Where the costs show up
You pay when you use care: copays for doctor visits, daily charges for a hospital stay, coinsurance for some services. Those costs stop at the plan’s yearly in-network out-of-pocket limit. CMS lets that limit go as high as $9,250 in 2026 and $9,850 in 2027. See how the out-of-pocket maximum works.
Drug costs are separate. If the plan includes Part D coverage, its drug deductible can be up to $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
| Cost | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Plan premium | $0 | $0 |
| Standard Part B premium (monthly) | $202.90 | Not published as of October 15, 2026 |
| Highest in-network out-of-pocket limit CMS allows | $9,250 | $9,850 |
| Highest Part D drug deductible allowed | $615 | $700 |
How to compare $0 plans
Two $0 plans can cost you very different amounts in a bad health year. Compare the out-of-pocket limit, whether your doctors are in network, and whether your drugs are on the list. Our county guides, such as Duval County, list every 2027 Medicare Advantage plan with its premium, out-of-pocket limit and star rating.
Bring your current plan and your prescription list; we’ll do the comparison with you during Open Enrollment, October 15 – December 7, 2026.