Cigna Medicare Advantage 2024-2025 Review: Pros, Cons, Costs

Cigna offers low-cost Medicare Advantage plans with average star ratings and above-average member experience scores.

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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

Cigna

3.93

CMS Star Rating

(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
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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.

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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.

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UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage - UHC (product card)

UnitedHealthcare

3.93

CMS Star Rating

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Aetna Medicare Advantage

Aetna

4.27

CMS Star Rating

(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

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Humana Medicare Advantage - Chapter

Humana

3.63

CMS Star Rating

(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

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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 below.

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(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

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Cigna Medicare Advantage

Cigna

3.93

CMS Star Rating

(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

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 below.

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

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?

» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans

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UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage - UHC

UnitedHealthcare

3.93

CMS Star Rating

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Humana Medicare Advantage - Chapter

Humana

3.63

CMS Star Rating

(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

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 below.

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

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
(855) 432-0512

TTY 711

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?

» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans

Our full review

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: 3.93

Cigna Medicare Advantage plans are rated at almost exactly the industry average, receiving an average rating of 3.93 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 3.92

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Fact Sheet - 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings. Accessed Oct 16, 2024.
.

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, 69% are in plans rated 4 stars or above for the 2025 plan year

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2025 Star Ratings Data Tables (ZIP). Accessed Oct 16, 2024.
.

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 $174.70 per month in 2024 ($185 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

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans. Accessed Oct 16, 2024.
.)

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:

  • Primary care: $0.

  • Specialist: $20.

  • Emergency care: $140.

  • Inpatient hospital: $270.*

Dental allowance: $1,600.

Cigna Preferred Plus Medicare (HMO)

Monthly premium: $11.

Deductible: None.

Out-of-pocket max: $4,150 in-network.

Copays:

  • Primary care: $0.

  • Specialist: $15.

  • Emergency care: $140.

  • Inpatient hospital: $295.*

Dental allowance: $2,300.

Cigna Preferred Select Medicare (HMO)

Monthly premium: $0.

Deductible: None.

Out-of-pocket max: $4,000 in-network.

Copays:

  • Primary care: $0.

  • Specialist: $20.

  • Emergency care: $140.

  • Inpatient hospital: $275.*

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:

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 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.

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.

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

NCQA. Health Plans. Accessed Oct 16, 2024.
.

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 half a million Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Cigna Medicare Advantage plans, and the company added 14,000 new members for the 2024 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).
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)

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?

States available

29 states and Washington, D.C.


Members in high-rated plans

Medium (50% to 84%)


Member experience

3.76 (Above average)

IS THIS PROVIDER AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?

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.

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.

Medicare will have big changes in 2025. Compare Medicare Advantage plans