Aetna makes NerdWallet’s list of the top Medicare Advantage companies as the best for government ratings. It gets the highest CMS quality ratings among large companies with near-nationwide availability. Aetna makes $0-premium plans available to most Medicare members, but it doesn’t have the best customer satisfaction, and some competitors have lower caps on out-of-pocket costs.
HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) is NerdWallet's pick as the best Medicare Advantage company for low-cost plan availability. HealthSpring has both the highest percentage of $0-premium plans and the lowest average monthly premium among major companies. While its CMS quality ratings are below average, the majority of its members are in highly rated plans. Departing members report more problems than average with coverage of doctors and hospitals, however.
Here’s a look at how Aetna and HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage compare.
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Aetna Medicare Advantage
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans get solid government quality ratings and often have $0 premiums, but they underperform on customer satisfaction surveys.
Pros
Highest quality ratings from CMS, weighted by enrollment, among companies that sell plans nearly nationwide.
$0-premium plans available to 82% of Medicare beneficiaries.
$0 coverage for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs on most plans.
All plans include SilverSneakers and some dental, vision and hearing coverage.
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction in many markets surveyed by JD Power.
Maximum out-of-pocket costs are higher than most major competitors.
Other factors to consider
Average government quality rating | 4.2 out of 5. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 60%. |
Average non-$0 premium | $32.89. |
Average maximum out-of-pocket spending cap (MOOP) | $6,693. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | Nearly 4.2 million. |
Averages weighted by enrollment where relevant. | |
Aetna Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans
HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage
Plans from HealthSpring have low costs and above-average member experience ratings, but overall quality ratings are just so-so.
Pros
Nearly 8 in 10 plans are $0-premium plans.
Plans with premiums are relatively inexpensive.
Better member experience survey ratings than major competitors.
Cons
CMS quality ratings are below average.
Competitors have more options for brand-name drugs with no copay/coinsurance.
“Problems with coverage of doctors and hospitals” are common on disenrollment surveys.
Other factors to consider
Average government quality rating | 3.76 out of 5. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 77%. |
Average non-$0 premium | $18.89. |
Average maximum out-of-pocket spending cap (MOOP) | $5,091. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | Over 680,000. |
Averages weighted by enrollment where relevant. | |
HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans
Find the right Medicare Advantage plan
It’s important to do your research before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan for yourself. Here are some questions to consider asking:
What are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
Is your doctor in-network? If you have preferred medical providers, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, it’s crucial to understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
Are there extras? Does the plan offer any extra benefits, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
Medicare Advantage review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage ratings are based on premiums, out-of-pocket costs, prescription drug coverage, quality data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, consumer experience and more. We calculate each health insurance company’s rating on a curved 5-point scale.
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed companies covering about 87% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in the United States. We reviewed 25 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurance companies having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.)
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies. In many places, one company serves more than half of the market. At the national level, NerdWallet’s reviews include each of the 10 largest brands by enrollment.
At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in every state where Medicare Advantage plans are sold, and includes the top two insurers in 40 of those 49 states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.
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.