Curative Launches New Zero First Health Insurance Plan
The Austin-based company’s latest plan removes upfront costs for routine care starting December 1 for eligible groups.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Healthcare
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Austin-based Curative is launching the Zero First health insurance plan, a new coverage option designed to remove upfront financial barriers for employees. The plan features a model that covers thousands of dollars in initial in-network care costs before requiring members to pay a percentage of further expenses.
Why it matters
The plan was developed to combat rising healthcare costs for local employers while ensuring individuals do not delay medical care due to immediate expenses. It represents a shift in benefits design for groups looking to manage premiums by covering routine services at no cost to the member.
Modeled projections indicate that 69% of EPO members and 78% of PPO members will pay $0 in annual costs under the new plan, compared to traditional structures. The model relies on 2025 membership data, though individual out-of-pocket maximums are set at $8,000 for EPO and $6,350 for PPO.
The players
Curative
An Austin-based health insurance company focused on removing financial barriers to care.
The details
Under the Zero First design, the plan covers the first $2,500 of eligible in-network care for EPO members or $5,000 for PPO members before a cost-share kicks in. After those initial amounts, EPO members pay 30% of expenses while PPO members pay 25%. Preventive care, primary care, telehealth, and urgent care remain free for all members. To participate, adults and dependents 18 and older must complete a Baseline Visit within 120 days of the plan effective date.
Timeline
2025 marked the period for Curative's full-year membership data collection.
October 27, 2026, served as the announcement date for the new plan.
December 1, 2026, is when the plan becomes available for employer groups.
The Texas Context
The plan follows a national industry trend of attempting to mitigate the rise in employer healthcare benefit costs. Curative is positioning this design as a way to modernize benefits for local companies struggling with traditional insurance models.
Local employees enrolled in the plan must complete a required Baseline Visit within 120 days of their group's effective date. Families can expect $0 costs for primary care and telehealth services, though they should plan for 25% or 30% cost-sharing once initial coverage thresholds are reached.
The takeaway
The plan shifts the burden of routine costs away from members, with 97% of prescription fills also carrying no cost. Employers and employees should review their specific benefit enrollment window to understand how these coverage thresholds apply to their medical needs.
Further reading
Learn more about local changes in Healthcare.
More information
For full plan details, visit the information about Zero First health plan on the provider portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Star Local.
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