Curative Launches Zero First Health Insurance Plan
The new health plan design covers initial medical costs to help reduce financial barriers for employees.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Healthcare
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Austin-based health insurance provider Curative has officially announced the launch of its Zero First plan. This new insurance model is designed to cover a set amount of initial in-network care costs before members begin paying a percentage of expenses.
Why it matters
The plan was created to address rising healthcare benefit costs for employers while removing financial barriers that often lead individuals to delay necessary medical care. By covering initial costs, the insurer aims to make routine healthcare more accessible for members.
The Zero First EPO covers the first $2,500 of eligible care with an $8,000 out-of-pocket maximum, while the PPO covers the first $5,000 with a $6,350 out-of-pocket maximum. Additionally, 97% of prescription fills under the plan carry a $0 member cost.
The players
Curative
Curative is a health insurance company headquartered in Austin, Texas, that specializes in providing healthcare coverage to employer groups.
The details
Under the new design, services such as preventive care, primary care, telehealth, and outpatient behavioral health remain free for members. Adult members must complete a required Baseline Visit within 120 days of the effective date to maintain plan eligibility.
Timeline
2025: Curative collected full-year membership data for plan modeling.
October 27, 2026: Curative announced the launch of the Zero First plan.
December 1, 2026: Plan availability begins for eligible employer groups.
Market Landscape
Curative's move aligns with a broader industry trend of shifting insurance models to address rising employer costs. This strategy positions the company against larger insurers by focusing on removing upfront financial barriers to capture market share among cost-conscious employers.
Employees under the new plan may see lower out-of-pocket costs for initial medical services and prescription medications. Members must ensure they complete their mandatory Baseline Visit within 120 days to avoid potential coverage issues.
The takeaway
The Zero First plan attempts to lower the total cost of care by subsidizing the start of the medical billing cycle. Patients should prioritize scheduling their required baseline visits early to maximize the benefits of this coverage design.
What happens next
Eligible employer groups will be able to begin their coverage effective December 1, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Healthcare.
More information
For more details, visit the information about Zero First health plan.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Star Local.
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