Low or No Cost Medicare
Is There a Better Way to Afford Medicare Coverage?
Approximately 40,000 Californians turn 65 every month. Many are surprised to learn that although Medicare is earned through years of payroll taxes paid during their working years — or those of a qualifying spouse — it still
includes costs such as Medicare Part B premiums, deductibles, copays, and prescription drug expenses.
To learn more about Medicare basics, visit:
Low-Cost Medicare Options for Medi-Cal Beneficiaries
If you qualify for Medi-Cal (Medicaid outside of California), you may also qualify for specialized Medicare Advantage plans called:
- D-SNPs (Dual Special Needs Plans)
- “Medi-Medi” Plans
These plans coordinate benefits between Medicare and Medi-Cal and may include valuable extra benefits such as: - Prepaid debit card allowances
- Dental coverage
- Vision benefits
- Over-the-counter allowances
- Transportation assistance
- Prescription drug coverage
- Additional care coordination
If you also have certain qualifying chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, ESRD, or chronic lung disorders, you may qualify for additional benefits through a C-SNP (Chronic Special Needs Plan). Learn more here:
What If You Don't Qualify for Medi-Cal?
Many Californians do not qualify for Medi-Cal but still want affordable Medicare coverage.
Fortunately, most California counties — including Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sacramento, Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Francisco Counties — offer $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans.
Some Medicare Advantage plans may also help reduce your Medicare Part B premium, which is $202.90 per month in 2026. These “Part B Giveback” plans can lower your premium dollar-for-dollar, which may increase your Social Security check if you are already collecting benefits, or reduce the amount of your quarterly Medicare Part B bill if you are not yet receiving Social Security.
Why Many People Choose Medicare Advantage Plans
Many Medicare beneficiaries prefer Medicare Advantage plans because they may offer:
- Coverage for all medically necessary services covered by Original Medicare
- Annual out-of-pocket maximum protection (unlike Original Medicare)
- Built-in prescription drug coverage (MAPD plans)
- Coordinated care between doctors and specialists within the same medical group
- Online patient portals and improved communication with providers
- Access to respected medical groups and health systems such as UCLA and Cedars-Sinai
- Additional wellness-focused programs through certain medical groups
- Ancillary benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, chiropractic, acupuncture, transportation, fitness memberships, and over-the-counter allowances may also be included depending on the plan.
Important PPO vs HMO Considerations
While many California counties offer $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans, fewer counties offer $0 premium PPO Medicare Advantage plans. In some counties, PPO plans may not be available at all.
Additionally, PPO plans often carry significantly higher out-of-pocket exposure when using out-of-network providers.
When Can You Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan?
You may enroll in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD) during:
- Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) when first becoming eligible for Medicare
- The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) from October 15 – December 7
- Certain Special Enrollment Periods (SEP), such as:
- Leaving employer coverage
- Moving out of your plan’s service area
- Qualifying for Medi-Cal or Extra Help
- Other qualifying life events
It’s important to enroll correctly to avoid:
- Late enrollment penalties
- Coverage gaps
- Provider network issues
- Prescription drug coverage problems
Carriers We Represent
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Anthem Blue Cross (Elevance)
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Aetna
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Alignment Health Plan
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Beam
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Blue Shield of CA
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Cigna
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Delta Dental
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Health Net
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HealthSpring
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Humana
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Kaiser
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Imperial Health Plan of California
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LA Care
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Medico/Wellabe
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Molina
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SCAN
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Sutter Health
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UCLA Health Medicare Advantage
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United Concordia
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UnitedHealthcare / AARP
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VSP
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WellCare / Centene
Speak With a Local Medicare Insurance Agency
At BenefitPackages.com Insurance Agency, Inc., we help Medicare beneficiaries compare plans based on:
- Doctors and hospitals
- Prescription drug coverage
- Monthly costs
- Financial concerns
- PPO vs HMO preferences
- Medi-Cal eligibilit
- Chronic health conditions
Call Today for Assistance
📞 818-999-3595
Serving Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sacramento, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, and surrounding California counties.