Humana Medicare Advantage plans with $0 monthly premiums do exist, but availability depends on where you live and which specific plan you choose

Humana offers several Medicare Advantage plans across the country, and some do have no monthly premium — meaning you pay nothing beyond your Part B premium to Medicare itself. However, not every Humana plan in every location is $0, and the plans available to you depend on your zip code. A plan that costs nothing in one county may not be offered in the next county over, or it may have a premium there.

The monthly premium is only one cost to consider. Even a $0 premium plan will have copays, coinsurance, and deductibles when you use care. Some $0 plans also include dental, vision, or hearing coverage, while others do not. The real question is not just whether the premium is zero, but whether the plan's costs and coverage match your health needs.

Key Takeaways

  • Humana Medicare Advantage plans with $0 monthly premiums are available in many areas, but you must check your specific zip code to see which plans are offered near you.
  • A $0 premium does not mean $0 cost — you will still pay copays and coinsurance when you receive care, and these amounts vary by plan.
  • The plans available and their costs change each year during the annual enrollment period, so a plan you had last year may no longer be offered or may have a different premium this year.
  • Humana's website and Medicare.gov both let you search for plans by zip code and compare premiums, deductibles, and coverage side by side.

How to find Humana $0 premium plans in your area

Start by visiting Medicare.gov and using the "Find Care Providers & Suppliers" tool or the plan comparison tool. Enter your zip code, and the site will show you every Medicare Advantage plan available in your area, including all Humana options. Each plan listing shows the monthly premium, annual deductible, and basic copay amounts for common services like doctor visits and hospital stays.

You can also visit Humana's Medicare website directly and enter your zip code there. Humana will display the plans it offers in your location, sorted by premium. If you see a $0 premium listed, that plan is available to you — but read the full details before deciding, because the copays and deductibles may be higher than a plan with a small monthly premium.

Call Humana's Medicare customer service line at 1-800-833-2590 if you want to discuss plans by phone. A representative can walk you through the options and answer questions about specific coverage. Medicare also has a helpline at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) where counselors can compare plans with you at no cost.

What $0 premium really means for your out-of-pocket costs

A $0 monthly premium means you do not pay Humana a recurring fee. You still pay Medicare your Part B premium each month (currently $164.90 for most people in 2024, though this amount changes yearly). Beyond that, you pay when you use services: a copay to see your doctor, coinsurance if you stay in the hospital, and a deductible before certain coverage kicks in.

Some Humana $0 plans have low copays but higher deductibles. Others have no deductible but higher copays. A plan with a $0 premium and a $500 annual deductible may cost you more overall than a plan with a $30 monthly premium and a $0 deductible, depending on how often you see doctors or use the hospital. Use the plan comparison tool to add up what you would likely pay in a typical year based on your current doctors and medications.

If you take prescription drugs, check the formulary — the list of covered medications — for each plan you are considering. A $0 premium plan may not cover your specific medications, or may require you to pay more for them than another plan would. The formulary is available on Medicare.gov and Humana's website.

Coverage differences between Humana $0 plans

Not all Humana $0 premium plans offer the same extra benefits. Some include dental coverage (cleanings, fillings, extractions), vision coverage (eye exams, glasses, contacts), or hearing coverage (exams and hearing aids). Others cover only the basics that Medicare Advantage requires: hospital, doctor, and emergency care. If dental or vision care matters to you, make sure the $0 plan you are considering includes it.

Humana also offers different network types. Some plans are Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, which require you to use doctors and hospitals in Humana's network and usually require a referral to see a specialist. Others are Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, which let you see out-of-network doctors but usually at a higher cost. PPO plans typically have higher premiums or higher copays than HMO plans, so a $0 PPO plan is less common than a $0 HMO plan.

When plan availability and costs change

Medicare Advantage plans change every year. The annual enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this time, Humana may add new plans, drop old ones, or change the premium and copays on existing plans. A plan that was $0 this year may have a $20 premium next year, or it may no longer be offered in your area.

If you are already in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan, you will receive a notice in the mail in September or October telling you what is changing for the next year. Read this notice carefully. If your plan's costs are going up or coverage is changing, you have the right to switch to a different plan during the enrollment period without penalty.

Even if you do not receive a notice, check Medicare.gov or Humana's website each October to see what plans are available for the coming year. Waiting until December to look could mean missing better options or being locked into a plan for another full year.

How to compare Humana plans with other insurers

Humana is not the only company offering $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans. UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, Aetna, and regional insurers also offer $0 plans in many areas. Use Medicare.gov's plan comparison tool to see all available plans side by side, not just Humana's. You may find that a different insurer's $0 plan has lower copays, better drug coverage, or more extra benefits that match your needs.

When comparing across insurers, pay attention to the network. A $0 plan from one company may include your preferred doctor, while a $0 plan from another may not. Call your doctor's office and ask which Medicare Advantage plans they accept. This single step can save you hundreds of dollars in out-of-network costs.

What to do if no $0 plans are available in your area

Some rural areas and smaller towns have few Medicare Advantage options, and none may have a $0 premium. If that is your situation, you have two choices: enroll in a low-premium Humana plan (even if it costs $15 or $25 per month), or stay on Original Medicare and buy a Medigap supplemental policy instead.

Original Medicare covers hospital and doctor care nationwide, but it has copays and coinsurance. A Medigap policy fills in those gaps. Medigap premiums vary widely by insurer and location, but some people find that Original Medicare plus Medigap costs less overall than a Medicare Advantage plan with a premium, especially if they use a lot of healthcare. Compare the total yearly cost of both options before deciding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch to a different Humana plan if I find a better $0 plan mid-year?

No, not usually. You can only change plans during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) or if you experience a may have access to life event like moving, losing other coverage, or becoming may be able to access for Medicaid. If you miss the enrollment period, you are locked into your current plan until the next October.

Does a $0 Humana plan cover preventive care like colonoscopies and mammograms?

Yes. All Medicare Advantage plans, including $0 plans, must cover the same preventive services that Original Medicare covers at no cost to you — this includes cancer screenings, vaccines, and annual wellness visits. You pay nothing for these services, even if the plan has a copay for regular doctor visits.

What happens to my Humana $0 plan if I move to a different state?

Your plan will end on the last day of the month you move. You will need to enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan in your new state during the annual enrollment period, or you can switch when ready if you move outside your plan's service area. Contact Humana or Medicare to report your move and see what plans are available in your new location.

If I enroll in a Humana $0 plan, am I locked in for the whole year?

Yes, unless you have a may have access to life event. Once you enroll during the annual enrollment period, you stay in that plan through December 31. The exception is if you move, lose other coverage, or become newly may be able to access for Medicaid — these events let you change plans outside the regular enrollment window.

How do I know if a Humana $0 plan includes the doctors I want to see?

Check the plan's provider directory on Medicare.gov or Humana's website before you enroll. Search for your doctor by name or specialty. If your doctor is not listed, call the doctor's office directly and ask if they accept that specific Humana plan. Some doctors accept one Humana plan but not another.