The bottom line: Cigna Medicare Advantage plans are low-cost with strong benefits and good member experience scores. The company's star ratings, which are just at the industry average, have improved for 2025. Jump to: Full Review
Cigna Medicare Advantage pros and cons
Pros
- $0 premiums: Eight in 10 of Cigna’s Medicare Advantage offerings are $0-premium plans.
- Low-cost options: For Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans with premiums, Cigna’s average premium is $27.60 — the lowest among major providers.
- Breadth of benefits: Cigna offers a number of helpful member benefits, such as 24/7 telehealth, meal delivery and transportation to and from health facilities.
Cons
- Limited availability: Cigna Medicare Advantage plans are available in 29 states and Washington, D.C.
- Third-party ratings: The National Committee for Quality Assurance doesn’t give any Cigna plan a rating higher than 3.5 out of 5 on its ratings scale.
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Our full review
Why trust NerdWallet
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 star ratings
Average star rating, weighted by enrollment: 3.97
Cigna Medicare Advantage plans are rated at almost exactly the industry average, receiving an average rating of 3.97 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2025, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted star rating for plans from all providers is 3.96.
While some plans have lower ratings, more than two-thirds of Cigna’s members are in highly rated plans. Of members who are in plans with a Medicare star rating, 71% are in plans rated 4 stars or above for the 2025 plan year.
CMS maintains its own star ratings, which rank each plan from best (5 stars) to worst (1 star). The agency bases these ratings on plans’ quality of care and measurements of customer satisfaction, and ratings may change from year to year.
All Medicare Advantage plans are evaluated on health plan measures, and Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage are also evaluated on drug plan measures.
You can find a plan’s rating with the Medicare plan finding tool.
What does Cigna Medicare Advantage cost?
Cigna offers a $0-premium plan in most markets in 2025, and 8 in 10 of Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans are $0-premium plans. You'll also be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is $185 per month in 2025.
(Most people pay this standard Part B amount, but if your income is above a certain threshold, you’ll pay the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). Some Medicare Advantage plans cover part or all of your Part B premium.)
Requirements for copays, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on your plan, location and the services you use. Other out-of-pocket costs to consider include:
Whether the plan covers any part of your monthly Medicare Part B premium.
The plan’s yearly deductibles and any other deductibles, such as a drug deductible.
Copayments and/or coinsurance for each visit or service. For instance, there may be a $10 copay for seeing your primary doctor and a $45 copay for seeing a specialist.
The plan’s in-network and out-of-network out-of-pocket maximums.
Whether your medical providers are in-network or out-of-network, or how often you may go out of network for care.
Whether you require extra benefits, and if the plan charges for them.
Here are examples of Cigna Medicare Advantage costs for the most popular plans in a mid-range city:
Cigna Medicare Advantage plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $3,750 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $1,600. |
Cigna Preferred Plus Medicare (HMO) | Monthly premium: $11. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $4,150 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $2,300. |
Cigna Preferred Select Medicare (HMO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $4,000 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $20,000. |
Selected plans are available in ZIP code 27513. *Inpatient hospital copay is per day for days 1-5. | |
To get a sense of costs, use Medicare’s Plan Finder to compare information among available plans in your area. You can select by insurance carrier to see only Cigna plans or compare across carriers.
Cigna Medicare Advantage plan types
Cigna offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans as well as stand-alone prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans without drug coverage.
Plan offerings include the following types:
- HMO plans
A health maintenance organization (HMO) generally requires that you use a specific network of doctors and hospitals. You may need a referral from your primary doctor to see a specialist, and out-of-network benefits are usually limited.
- HMO-POS plans
HMO point-of-service (POS) plans are HMO plans that allow members to get some out-of-network services, but you’ll pay more for those services.
- PPO plans
Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans provide the most freedom, allowing you to see any provider that accepts the insurance. You may not need to choose a primary doctor, and you don’t need referrals to see specialists. You can seek out-of-network care, although it may cost more than seeing an in-network doctor.
- SNPs
Special needs plans (SNPs) restrict membership to people with certain diseases or characteristics. Hence, the benefits, network and drug formularies are tailored to the needs of those members. Cigna offers two types of SNPs:
Chronic Condition SNP: Designed to meet the needs of members living with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes.
Dual-Eligible SNP: For people who are entitled to Medicare and who also qualify for assistance from a state Medicaid program.
Are Cigna HealthSpring and Cigna Medicare the same?
Cigna acquired HealthSpring in 2012, allowing Cigna to expand its Medicare business. As recently as 2020, Cigna sold Cigna-HealthSpring-branded plans, but none are currently available. HealthSpring is a subsidiary of Cigna.
Third-party ratings
AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A (Excellent)
AM Best is a credit rating agency that specializes in the insurance industry. In April 2024, AM Best affirmed its Financial Strength Rating, or FSR, of A (Excellent) for The Cigna Group, including its U.S. life/health subsidiaries and Europe-based insurance companies.
An A rating in this category indicates that AM Best believes Cigna has an excellent ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.
J.D. Power Ranking
In its 2024 Medicare Advantage Study — the 10th it's done so far — J.D. Power measured member satisfaction with Medicare Advantage plans based on eight factors ranging from level of trust to how well a provider resolves problems or complaints. The study was fielded in the 10 biggest state Medicare markets.
On these measures, Cigna placed third out of six major providers in Texas (the only state where Cigna had enough market share to be considered).
NCQA Score Range: 2.5 to 3.5 out of 5
The National Committee for Quality Assurance rates health insurance plans on a 5-point scale (with 5 being best) based on clinical quality, member satisfaction and results from the NCQA's accreditation survey. The ratings highlight the results of care and what patients say about their care.
In its September 2024 ratings of Cigna plans, the NCQA awarded ratings between 2.5 and 3.5. Out of six plans rated, two plans received a 2.5 rating: Cigna HealthCare of Georgia and Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina.
Cigna Medicare Advantage service area
Cigna offers Medicare Advantage plans in 29 states and Washington, D.C.
Overall, Cigna is the sixth-largest Medicare Advantage provider in the country among for-profit health plans. More than 685,000 Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Cigna Medicare Advantage plans, and the company added 101,000 new members for the 2025 plan year.
About Cigna
Cigna, headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, was created in 1982 when Connecticut General Corp. (CG) and the Insurance Company of North America (INA) merged. Cigna offers health insurance for individuals and families, dental insurance, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, Medicare Supplement Insurance, and other insurance coverage such as whole life and cancer treatment insurance. The company also offers insurance for businesses.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other Cigna Medicare offerings:
Cigna Medicare Advantage customer service
Cigna Medicare Advantage members can contact their plan’s customer service in a few ways:
Call a customer service representative at 800-997-1654, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (TTY/TDD dial 711 and follow the prompts.)
Chat with a member services representative, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Compare Medicare Advantage providers
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage providers. These insurers offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.
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).
- 8 in 10 Cigna plans are $0-premium plans.
- Member experience scores are above average.
- Strong benefits include 24/7 telehealth and meal delivery.
- Available in only 29 states and Washington, D.C.
- Highest NCQA scores are 3.5 stars on their 5-point scale.
Article sources
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.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2025 Star Ratings Data Tables (ZIP). Accessed Apr 17, 2025.
- 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans. Accessed Apr 17, 2025.
- 3.AM Best. AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of The Cigna Group and Its Subsidiaries. Accessed Apr 17, 2025.
- 4.J.D. Power. Regional Medicare Advantage Plans Have Higher Customer Satisfaction than Commercial Member Health Plans, J.D. Power Finds. Accessed Apr 17, 2025.
- 5.NCQA. Health Plans. Accessed Apr 17, 2025.
- 6.Chartis. Medicare Advantage market growth slows amid intensified headwinds. Accessed Apr 17, 2025.
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.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans
Insurance company | CMS star rating | States available | Members in high-rated plans | Member experience | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(855) 821-0556 / TTY 711 Call UnitedHealthcarefrom UnitedHealthcare | |||||
3.95 | 3.95/5 | 49 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.41 (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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.63 | 3.63/5 | 48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico | Low (49% or less) | 3.62 (Above 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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.29 | 4.29/5 | 44 states and Washington, D.C. | High (85% to 100%) | 4.01 (Above 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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.97 | 3.97/5 | 29 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.82 (Above average) |