The bottom line: Cigna plans became HealthSpring in 2026 because Cigna sold its Medicare business. HealthSpring Medicare Part D plans get slightly below-average government quality ratings in 2026. Most people won’t find the lowest premiums with the company either, since HealthSpring discontinued the low-cost Saver Rx plan. However, HealthSpring does offer $0-premium plans in 11 states. Jump to: Full Review
HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Part D pros and cons
Pros
- $0 premiums: HealthSpring offers $0-premium Assurance Rx plans in 11 states.
- Low out-of-pocket costs: HealthSpring’s high-end Extra Rx plan has some $0-deductible and a $0-copay drug tiers.
Cons
- Low quality ratings: HealthSpring gets below-average government quality ratings.
- Higher premiums: If you don’t live in a state with $0-premium plans, HealthSpring’s premiums can be pricier than many.
Compare against other providers
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Part D plans
Compare against other providers
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Part D plans
Our full review
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NerdWallet star rating for HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Part D
HealthSpring’s prescription drug plans earned 3.5 out of 5 stars from NerdWallet. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account premiums, out-of-pocket costs, government quality ratings, customer complaints and more.
Based on these ratings, HealthSpring is among NerdWallet’s best Medicare Part D plans in 2026.
Why NerdWallet star ratings differ from CMS star ratings
NerdWallet star ratings go beyond Medicare star ratings developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Our data-driven, consumer-first scoring rubric factors in cost and customer complaints in addition to government quality data. This makes NerdWallet star ratings a more practical tool for seniors looking to find the best overall value.
Government quality ratings for HealthSpring Part D
Average CMS rating, weighted by enrollment: 2.5 stars
HealthSpring prescription drug plans are rated below the industry average, receiving an average rating of 2.5 out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2026, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted CMS star rating for all plans is 3.04 stars.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains its own database of star ratings. Medicare Part D plans are rated on 12 quality measures. (You can find definitions for each of these factors in the CMS Star Ratings Technical Notes.)
These ratings use a 5-point scale where 5 is the best and 1 is the worst. The agency bases its ratings on drug plans’ quality of service and customer experiences, and ratings are updated annually.
You can find a plan’s rating with Medicare's plan finding tool.
HealthSpring Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
HealthSpring's 2026 Medicare prescription drug plans are as follows:
HealthSpring Assurance Rx: HealthSpring describes this plan as basic coverage that’s a good fit for Extra Help recipients, with “$0 or low cost-shares for many generic medications.”
HealthSpring Extra Rx: HealthSpring describes this plan as offering additional coverage with “flexible benefits” and a “$0 copay for many generic medications.”
Medicare beneficiaries with Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) can purchase a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies. The costs and coverage can vary significantly, so it’s important to compare options.
Nearly 1.6 million Medicare beneficiaries have HealthSpring Part D plans as of April 2026.
More Nerdy Perspective
Are HealthSpring Rx PDPs good Medicare Part D plans?
Without an offering like Cigna’s low-cost Saver Rx plan, HealthSpring falls short of the competition in 2026. The company doesn’t offer the lowest premiums, and its government quality ratings have dipped below the average. That said, the best Medicare Part D plan for you is one that covers your prescription drugs at an affordable out-of-pocket cost. It’s important to check the plan’s formulary for your medications before making a decision.
Without an offering like Cigna’s low-cost Saver Rx plan, HealthSpring falls short of the competition in 2026. The company doesn’t offer the lowest premiums, and its government quality ratings have dipped below the average. That said, the best Medicare Part D plan for you is one that covers your prescription drugs at an affordable out-of-pocket cost. It’s important to check the plan’s formulary for your medications before making a decision.
Elizabeth Aldrichlead writer covering MedicareHow much does HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Part D cost?
About 15% of HealthSpring plans have a $0 premium.
Monthly premiums for HealthSpring Medicare Part D plans range from $0 to $152.50. The average HealthSpring Part D premium is $30.28, weighted by enrollment, according to NerdWallet analysis of 2026 CMS data.
HealthSpring Assurance Rx has a notably lower premium, on average. But HealthSpring Extra Rx waives the deductible on certain drugs and may have lower out-of-pocket costs for brand-name drugs. Below is a breakdown of the costs for each plan.
HealthSpring Medicare Part D premiums and deductibles
Here are the 2026 premiums and deductibles for HealthSpring's stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans:
Plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
HealthSpring Assurance Rx | Monthly premiums:
Annual deductible: $615. |
HealthSpring Extra Rx | Monthly premiums:
Annual deductible: $615. |
» If you have concerns about affording Medicare Part D, look into Medicare Extra Help.
Out-of-pocket costs
What you pay for deductibles and copays can vary depending on where your medication falls on the plan’s formulary. A formulary is the plan's list of covered drugs, organized by tiers. Having $0-deductible and $0-copay options can help you minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
Each HealthSpring plan takes a different approach to these $0 options in 2026, and it can vary by location. Here's what you might pay for prescription drugs at some common price points:
HealthSpring Assurance Rx
Deductible
$615 on all tiers.
Average out-of-pocket cost*
$0.25 for Tier 1 (preferred generics).
$3 for Tier 2 (generics).
$44.48 for Tier 3 (preferred brands).
HealthSpring Extra Rx
Deductible
$0 on Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs, $615 on all other tiers.
Average out-of-pocket cost*
$0 for Tier 1 (preferred generics).
$5 for Tier 2 (generics).
$33.85 for Tier 3 (preferred brands).
*After deductible is met, based on a $50 retail price for Tier 2 and $200 for Tier 3.
Cost-sharing requirements for higher tiers can quickly get more expensive. As a result, it’s important to check where your medications and pharmacies fall on each plan’s formulary.
Coinsurance vs. copay requirements
You’ll want to check whether you’ll pay a copay or coinsurance for your medications. Copays are set dollar amounts, so it’s easy to know what you’ll pay. Coinsurance is a percentage of the price for your medications, so coinsurance requirements can be less predictable and more expensive.
Both of HealthSpring’s Part D plans have coinsurance for Tiers 3-5. The HealthSpring Assurance Rx plan may have copays or coinsurance for Tiers 1-2 depending on your location, while the HealthSpring Extra Rx plan has copays for Tiers 1-2.
You can enter your medications and pharmacy information on HealthSpring's website to see which drugs are covered and review your estimated costs with different plan options.
» MORE: How much does Medicare Part D cost?
HealthSpring Medicare Part D service area
Stand-alone HealthSpring Medicare prescription drug plans are available in 48 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Plans are not available in Florida or Hawaii.
The HealthSpring Assurance Rx plan is available in all of the company’s markets, but the HealthSpring Extra Rx plan is not available in a handful of states.
About HealthSpring (formerly Cigna)
HealthSpring is the new brand name for Cigna Medicare plans as of 2026. The name change comes after Cigna sold its Medicare business to Health Care Service Corp. (HCSC) in March 2025.
HCSC also sells Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Its headquarters are in Chicago.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other HealthSpring Medicare offerings:
Compare Medicare Part D companies
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Part D companies. These insurers offer plans in most states, but specifics may vary depending on your location.
Find the right Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
The interactive tool on Medicare.gov can help you find a Medicare Part D plan that covers your prescriptions. It also helps you compare costs among Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans available to you.
Here are some things to keep in mind when comparing plans:
Check the formulary: Make sure the medicines you currently take are covered. Talk to your health care providers about what medications to look for. You might also also want to check for possible alternatives and/or drugs you think you might need in the future.
Look for plan changes: Formularies (lists of covered drugs) change frequently. Your insurer should send you a Notice of Plan Change when the formulary changes. Read that document carefully.
Check the pharmacy network: Most Medicare Part D plans have networks of lower-cost pharmacies. Check to see if the plan's pharmacies are convenient for you. Also, compare prices for using mail order.
You can switch plans during Medicare's open enrollment period, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Changes go into effect on the following Jan. 1.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
- $0-premium plans are available in 11 states.
- High-end plan has $0-deductible and $0-copay options.
- Star ratings are below average.
- Premiums generally aren't competitive.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.NerdWallet analysis of CMS data. 2026 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
- 2.HealthSpring. Medicare Part D Plans (PDP) Prescription Coverage. Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
- 3.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. PDP Plan Directory. Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
- 4.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2026 Landscape (202603). Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
- 5.HealthSpring. 2026 HealthSpring Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) Enrollment Guide. Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
Medicare Part D plan review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Part D reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), pricing, cost-sharing requirements, formulary design, consumer experience and more.
NerdWallet's editorial team reviewed five Medicare Part D insurance companies based on highest enrollment and greatest online search volume. Together, these five companies cover about 89% of Medicare beneficiaries with stand-alone Medicare Part D plans, according to CMS data. We review at least four major Medicare Part D companies in every state in the United States.
These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.
Compare Medicare Part D Plans
Insurance company | CMS star rating | Out-of-pocket costs | Member experience | Learn more | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST FOR LOW PREMIUMS | |||||
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.50 | 3.50/5 | Varies | 3.5 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
BEST FOR LOW OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS | |||||
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.00 | 3.00/5 | Lower than average | 3 (Average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.00 | 3.00/5 | Higher than average | 1.5 (Below average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
BEST FOR GENERIC DRUGS | |||||
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 2.50 | 2.50/5 | Average | 2 (Below average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |