Cigna vs. UnitedHealthcare: Medicare Advantage Comparison

UHC offers Medicare Advantage plans in nearly every state, while Cigna’s footprint is smaller. Here's how they compare.

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Profile photo of Kate Ashford, CSA®
Lead Writer
Profile photo of Holly Carey
Edited by Holly Carey
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
Cigna Medicare Advantage offers the highest percentage of $0-premium plans and the lowest average monthly premium of the major providers, and the majority of Cigna’s members are in highly rated plans.
UnitedHealthcare offers the largest Medicare Advantage network of all companies, with more than 1 million network care providers.

Here’s a look at how Cigna and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage compare.

45+ Medicare companies and brands analyzed by our team of experts.

30+ years of combined experience covering Medicare and personal finance.

Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.

NerdWallet’s Medicare content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in Medicare. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets. They have been cited in publications including Healthline, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast.

Cigna Medicare Advantage

Cigna Medicare Advantage

Cigna

3.93

CMS Star Rating

Cigna plans are low-cost, member experience scores are good and star ratings are average among all providers.

(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711

M-F 8am-10pm EST, Sa-Su 9am-9pm EST

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org

GET A QUOTE

on NerdWallet

We will connect you with Medicare companies based on the information you provide. They will help you find a plan that suits your needs. If you prefer to speak to a licensed insurance agent right away, please call the number listed above.

States available

29 states and Washington, D.C.


Members in high-rated plans

Medium (50% to 84%)


Member experience

3.76 (Above average)


States available

29 states and Washington, D.C.


Members in high-rated plans

Medium (50% to 84%)


Member experience

3.76 (Above average)


Pros

  • 8 in 10 Cigna plans are $0-premium plans.
  • Member experience scores are above average.
  • Strong benefits include 24/7 telehealth and meal delivery.

Cons

  • Available in only 29 states and Washington, D.C.
  • Highest NCQA scores are 3.5 stars on their 5-point scale.

Other factors to consider

Provider size

7th-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Advantage enrollment

More than 580,000.

Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher

33%.

Percent of plans with $0 premium

80%.

Plans available

HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, SNP.

Cigna Medicare Advantage plan availability

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage

Advertisement
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage - UHC

UnitedHealthcare

3.82

CMS Star Rating

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are widely available and have the largest Medicare Advantage provider network, although member experience ratings are average.

(855) 821-0556 / TTY 711

Call UnitedHealthcare

GET A QUOTE

from UnitedHealthcare

States available

49 states and Washington, D.C.


Members in high-rated plans

Medium (50% to 84%)


Member experience

3.39 (Average)


States available

49 states and Washington, D.C.


Members in high-rated plans

Medium (50% to 84%)


Member experience

3.39 (Average)


Pros

  • Largest Medicare Advantage medical network of all companies, with more than 1 million providers.
  • Largest Medicare Advantage dental network, and all standard plans offer dental coverage.
  • Available in 49 states and Washington, D.C.

Cons

  • Member experience scores are average.
  • Star ratings are just below average.
  • Offers one of the highest-priced special needs plans, although lower-priced plans are also available.

Other factors to consider

Provider size

Largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Advantage enrollment

More than 9.4 million.

Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher

67%.

Percent of plans with $0 premium

61%.

Plans available

HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS, SNP.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan availability

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 a preferred medical provider or 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?

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

The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies; in many places, one insurer serves more than half of the market. NerdWallet reviewed 26 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurers having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.) At the national level, these reviews include nine of the 10 largest brands by enrollment. At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in 47 of the 49 states that offer Medicare Advantage plans, and includes the top two insurers in 35 of those 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.

NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as pricing, plan availability by state, plan types available, consumer experience, extra benefits offered and more. 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.