Updated October 14, 2019 with CMS revised landscape data.
As can be seen in the table below, there are more 2019 Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) with a $0 initial deductible and a $0 monthly
premium ($0/$0 plans) as compared to 2018.
As might be expected, the highest concentration of $0/$0 Medicare Advantage plans are in Florida and California. However, in 39 states across the country Medicare beneficiaries will have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage with a $0 deductible and has a $0 monthly premium plan.
As an example, Miami-Dade County, Florida offers 33 Medicare Advantage plans (MAPDs) with a $0 deductible and $0 monthly premium, 30 of these plans have some Gap (or Donut Hole) Coverage and 18 of those Medicare Advantage plans have a MOOP of $3,400 or less.
| 2019 Medicare Advantage plans (MAPDs) with No Initial Deductible ($0) and No Monthly Premium ($0) |
||||||
| Medicare Advantage Plan Type (MAPD) |
Gap (Donut Hole) Coverage | 2019 Plans | 2018 Plans | Change '18 to '19 |
2017 Plans | 2016 Plans |
| Local HMO | No Gap Coverage | 215 | 171 | 44 | 121 | 174 |
| Local HMO | Yes | 419 | 313 | 106 | 309 | 287 |
| Local PPO | No Gap Coverage | 16 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 13 |
| Local PPO | Yes | 50 | 26 | 24 | 28 | 8 |
| Medicare-Medicaid Plan | No Gap Coverage | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Medicare-Medicaid Plan | Yes | 50 | 54 | -4 | 62 | 68 |
| PFFS | No Gap Coverage | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Regional PPO | No Gap Coverage | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Plans | 750 | 570 | 180 | 522 | 550 | |
As a reminder: Look beyond the $0 premium and $0 deductible!
Be sure to determine whether the plan you are considering
- has an acceptable annual Medicare Part A and Part B Maximum Out-of-Pocket limit (or MOOP),
- whether there are restrictions on the physicians or health care providers that you can visit, and
- whether the formulary (drug list) most affordably covers your prescriptions (and includes your local pharmacies)
You can use our MA-Finder to preview all $0 Premium 2019 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage available in your area (just enter your ZIP code after clicking on the link or go to MA-Finder.com to start.)