Cigna Medicare Advantage Review (2026): Cost, Pros & Cons

Cigna HealthCare (now Health Spring) structures its 2026 Medicare Advantage coverage around three network models with different provider access rules. Federal mandates require behavioral health cost-sharing parity with Original Medicare, insulin price caps without deductibles and automatic Medicare Prescription Payment Plan renewals. 

• HMO: Network restrictions define HMO coverage. HMO plans require members to select a primary care doctor who manages all healthcare services and issues referrals. Plans cover no out-of-network care except emergencies. This structure works through centralized coordination where one physician directs all specialist visits.
• HMO-POS: HMO-POS plans combine features from both HMO and PPO structures. Plans require primary care coordination for network specialists who need referrals. Members can see out-of-network providers for certain services though costs increase. HMO-POS plans provide greater flexibility compared to standard HMO coverage while keeping care coordination.
• PPO: Provider freedom distinguishes PPO plans from other structures. No primary care physician selection or referral requirements exist. Members can visit any Medicare-accepting provider, with in-network care costing less than out-of-network visits. Members control provider choices without coordination mandates.

Cigna HealthCare offers Medicare Advantage plans in 29 states and Washington, D.C., for 2026 coverage. Plan types include HMO, HMO-POS and PPO options. Tennessee and Texas have the most plans with six each, while Illinois, Missouri, South Carolina and Texas offer PPO coverage. HMO-POS plans are available in five states. Call 1-800-668-3813 or visit cignahealthcare.com or healthspring.com to confirm which plans serve your ZIP code.

Cigna HealthCare Medicare Advantage plans score 3.01 to 3.96 out of 5 for 2026, with all three plan types below national benchmarks. CMS star ratings measure plan quality through customer service, care coordination, member satisfaction and health outcomes.

Cigna HealthCare's PPO plans score 3.01 compared to the 3.63 national average, creating a 0.62-point gap. This gap is Cigna HealthCare's largest deficit across all plan types. Cigna HealthCare's HMO-POS plans come closest to national standards at 3.96 versus 4.01, trailing by 0.05 points. Cigna HealthCare's HMO options earn 3.77 against the 3.86 national average. The PPO shortfall shows Cigna HealthCare's weakest performance comes from plans offering broader provider networks.

PPO plans stand out with 93% offering $0 premiums and averaging just $1 monthly, $43 below the national average. Out-of-pocket limits for PPO plans average $6,578, or $312 above the national average. HMO plans cost $8 per month on average, $18 below the national rate, with 84% charging no premium. Maximum out-of-pocket limits for HMO plans average $5,585, which is $677 above the national average. 

HMO-POS plans average $34 monthly, $13 below the national average, and 60% have no premium. These plans provide out-of-pocket limits averaging $5,329, or $257 above the national average. All three plan types stay well below the 2026 federal maximum out-of-pocket limit of $9,250, per the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

You'll also pay your Medicare Part B premium of $202.90 monthly regardless of plan type. Part D prescription drug coverage caps annual out-of-pocket spending at $2,100 for 2026, based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Cigna HealthCare (Health Spring) Medicare Advantage plans add supplemental benefits that Original Medicare doesn't provide. Coverage includes preventive care, fitness programs, wellness allowances and clinical support services. Benefit availability varies by plan type and service area, so review your specific plan documents to confirm coverage details.   

• Dental, vision and hearing: All Cigna HealthCare plans cover routine vision exams and hearing tests annually at no added cost. Most include preventive and comprehensive dental through Cigna Dental. Select plans add eyeglass or contact lens allowances through EyeMed network providers.
• Silver&Fit fitness: Plans include Silver&Fit membership with access to gyms, YMCAs and senior centers nationwide at no membership fee. Coverage extends to in-person group classes, virtual workouts and at-home fitness kits.
• Over-the-counter allowance: Most plans load a quarterly allowance onto your Cigna HealthCare Flex Card for approved health products (pain relievers, vitamins, first aid supplies, cold medications and dental care items) redeemable at participating retailers or through the HealthSpring website.
• Wellness incentives: HMO plans load up to $200 onto your Flex Card for completing health screenings and healthy activities, up from $100 in 2025.
• Non-emergency transportation: Most plans cover one-way trips up to 70 miles to medical appointments. Schedule through Modivcare at least 48 hours ahead. Vans, taxis, wheelchair-equipped vehicles and rideshare options are available where applicable.
• MDLIVE telehealth: MDLIVE virtual care runs 24/7 for non-emergency urgent needs. Phone or video appointments with primary care doctors, specialists and mental health providers cost the same as in-office visits.
• Post-hospitalization meals: Plans deliver meals to your home at no cost following a hospital or skilled nursing facility stay, covering the recovery period so you don't have to cook.
• Caregiver support: Plans include one-on-one coaching for family caregivers, connecting them with resources and guidance for managing care responsibilities.
• Part B premium reduction: Select plans cut your monthly Part B premium through a giveback benefit. Cigna HealthCare pays a portion of your Part B costs directly to Social Security each month.

Cigna Healthcare transitioned to HealthSpring in 2026. The insurer offers HMO, PPO and SNP plans in 29 states and Washington, D.C. Browse options below by location to compare monthly premiums, covered benefits and provider networks before selecting a plan.

Coverage varies by county and ZIP code. Your actual costs, covered services and plan features depend on your location, health status and the specific plan you enroll in.

We've answered common questions about Cigna HealthCare (Health Spring) Medicare Advantage, from coverage and costs to enrollment and plan quality:

We scored Cigna HealthCare's Medicare Advantage plans (rebranded as HealthSpring in 2026 following Health Care Service Corporation's acquisition) using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data, focusing on plan costs, federal quality ratings and geographic flexibility.   

• Affordability (50%): We weighted combined Part C and Part D monthly premiums at 30% and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits at 20%. Lower premiums and MOOP amounts score higher because they protect retirees from budget-breaking medical expenses when serious health issues require expensive treatment.
• Star Ratings (40%): The Overall Star Rating combines Part C and Part D performance on a 1-to-5 scale based on CMS audits of care coordination, customer service and health outcomes. Plans scoring 4 stars or higher show stronger operational systems that lead to fewer coverage denials and faster claim resolutions.
• Availability (10%): We score plans on how many states they serve because wider geographic reach means you won't need to switch carriers if you relocate. It also means stronger infrastructure for processing claims across different state regulations.

 Cigna HealthCare plan scores reflect three practical priorities: affordability, quality track records and coverage flexibility across life transitions.