HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage Review (2026)
HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) stands out for its cheap Medicare Advantage plans, but the company is just average when it comes to coverage and service.
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HealthSpring (Cigna) is a good choice for affordable Medicare Advantage plans. The company offers many cheap coverage options, and it's a particularly good option for low-cost PPO (preferred provider organization) policies.
HealthSpring tends to score about average for plan quality and customer service. While it's not a bad company, you can usually find better options if you don't mind paying a little more each month.
Pros and cons
Pros
Cheap rates
Low cost-sharing
Many free PPO plan options
Easy to get care and schedule appointments
Cons
Not available everywhere
Middle of the road plan quality and service
Not a good choice for people with diabetes, high cholesterol or hypertension
Cigna Medicare plans are now called HealthSpring. That's because Cigna sold its Medicare business to Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), a Blue Cross Blue Shield company, in 2025.
This change won't affect plan details or coverage for current Cigna Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D customers.
How much do HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans cost?
HealthSpring (Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans cost $4 per month, on average.
That's about 85% cheaper than the average Medicare Advantage plan cost of $27 per month.
HealthSpring has the cheapest average rates among large Medicare Advantage companies. You would save $264 per year, on average, by switching from UnitedHealthcare to HealthSpring.
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HealthSpring is a good choice if you want a cheap PPO (preferred provider organization) plan. PPOs don't require you to get a referral from your primary care doctor before you see a specialist. That makes them a good choice if you want more freedom when it comes to choosing your doctors.
In general, PPOs usually cost more than HMOs. However, HealthSpring's PPO plans cost an average of just $1 per month, which is much lower than the national average of $26 per month.
You can get $0 PPO Medicare Advantage plans in most states where HealthSpring does business. However, these plans aren't available in Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico and Washington, D.C.
HealthSpring (Cigna) Medicare Advantage cost vs. competitors
Average rates
PPO plans only
HMO plans only
Company | Monthly average cost |
Star rating out of 5
|
|---|---|---|
| HealthSpring | $4 | 3.5 |
| Centene (WellCare) | $9 | 3.3 |
| Aetna | $19 | 4.0 |
| Humana | $22 | 3.7 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $26 | 3.9 |
Average monthly rate for Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage.
Average rates
Company | Monthly average cost |
Star rating out of 5
|
|---|---|---|
| HealthSpring | $4 | 3.5 |
| Centene (WellCare) | $9 | 3.3 |
| Aetna | $19 | 4.0 |
| Humana | $22 | 3.7 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $26 | 3.9 |
Average monthly rate for Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage.
PPO plans only
Company | Monthly average cost |
Star rating out of 5
|
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | $0 | N/A |
| HealthSpring | $1 | 3.0 |
| Centene (WellCare) | $10 | 3.2 |
| Humana | $14 | 3.8 |
| Aetna | $22 | 4.1 |
Average monthly rate for Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage.
HMO plans only
Company | Monthly average cost |
Star rating out of 5
|
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | 4.5 |
| Centene (WellCare) | $1 | 3.4 |
| HealthSpring | $4 | 3.7 |
| Humana | $5 | 3.6 |
| Average | $13 | 3.8 |
*Average monthly rate for Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage.
HealthSpring (Cigna) Medicare Advantage plan options
HealthSpring mainly offers HMO (health maintenance organization) and PPO (preferred provider organization) plans.
PPOs are usually the better option because they offer more flexibility. And with HealthSpring, they're often cheaper than the more restrictive HMO plans.
HealthSpring Preferred HMO vs. HealthSpring True Choice PPO
The HealthSpring Preferred HMO and HealthSpring True Choice PPO are two of HealthSpring's most widely available plans. Both plans cost $0 per month, although you still have to pay your $202.90 monthly Medicare Part B rate.
With HealthSpring True Choice PPO, you'll pay more if you go to the doctor often. However, the plan offers better flexibility to see the doctors and specialists you want without a referral.
HealthSpring Preferred (HMO) | HealthSpring True Choice (PPO) | |
|---|---|---|
| Network type | HMO | PPO |
| Monthly rate | $0 | $0 |
| ”Drug | $251 | $292 |
| ”Out-of-pocket | $4,650 | $6,714 |
*Rates, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums are averages.
In some states, you may have the option to buy an HMO-POS plan, which combines elements of both HMO and PPO plans. With an HMO-POS plan, you need to choose a primary care doctor, and you may need to get a referral before you can see specialists. But these plans let you see doctors outside of your plan's network for a higher cost.
You can buy HealthSpring HMO-POS plans in Illinois, Nevada, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia. These plans are relatively uncommon, unless you live in Tennessee, where HealthSpring offers 59 HMO-POS plan options.
HealthSpring Medicare Advantage benefits
Most of HealthSpring's Medicare Advantage plans come with extra benefits, such as prescription drug coverage, vision and dental. Other common benefits include:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) benefit: You get an allowance every quarter to buy items with health benefits, such as bandages and medical ID bracelets.
- Transportation: This includes coverage for vans, taxis, wheelchair-equipped vehicles and even Uber and Lyft ridesharing in some areas.
- Silver&Fit: This gives you access to a gym membership or a home-based program, depending on your needs.
- Meal delivery: If you've had a hospital or skilled nursing facility stay, HealthSpring will pay for up to 14 healthy meal deliveries during your recovery.
Where are HealthSpring (Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans available?
HealthSpring sells Medicare Advantage plans in 29 states and Washington, D.C.
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In most states, you have the option to buy either an HMO or a PPO plan. But this doesn't hold true for all states. For example, you can only get PPO plans in Connecticut, and Florida residents are limited to HMO plans.
States where HealthSpring (Cigna) sells Medicare Advantage plans
HealthSpring Medicare Advantage reviews
HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) has a roughly average reputation for customer satisfaction.
The company has an overall 3.5-out-of-5 star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. That's just slightly below the national average of 3.7-out-of-5.
HealthSpring scores slightly below average for customer service. However, it does well when it comes to phone support for customers who speak a foreign language or who have a hard time hearing.
HealthSpring also has high ratings for making quick decisions about claims appeals. That makes HealthSpring a good choice if you want to avoid a drawn-out claims process in the future.
HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans in Texas have above-average customer service according to J.D. Power study.
Frequently asked questions
How good is HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage?
HealthSpring plans are a good option if getting the lowest cost is your main concern when shopping for a Medicare Advantage plan. HealthSpring plans have affordable average rates and low costs you're responsible for paying when you go to the hospital.
Keep in mind, HealthSpring has a roughly average reputation for customer service and plan quality, which means it isn't the best Medicare Advantage company out there.
How much does a HealthSpring (Cigna) Medicare Advantage plan cost?
A HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plan costs $4 per month, on average. The company also offers many $0 Medicare Advantage plan.
Is Cigna Medicare Advantage the same as HealthSpring?
Yes, Cigna sold its Medicare business to HealthSpring in 2025. If you bought a Medicare Advantage plan through Cigna in the past, your plan should still be the same. The only difference is the company managing it.
Methodology and sources
Medicare Advantage rates and star ratings came from Medicare.gov and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Other sources include HealthSpring and J.D. Power.
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
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Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
Credentials
- Licensed Life & Disability Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
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