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

HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans are worth for cost-focused beneficiaries. PPO plans average $1 per month, $36 less than UnitedHealthcare and $66 less than Blue Cross Blue Shield. Nearly all PPO plans and most HMO plans charge $0 beyond the Part B premium, Medicare's standard charge for medical services all enrollees pay.

The limitation is above-average out-of-pocket exposure. Annual maximums range from $257 to $677 above national averages depending on plan type. For beneficiaries with chronic conditions or complex care needs, this gap often outweighs the premium advantage.

HealthSpring PPO plans average $1 per month, the lowest PPO premium among the major carriers we analyzed. Nearly all PPO plans and most HMO plans charge nothing beyond the $202.90 Part B premium. Out-of-pocket maximums run above national averages for every plan type.

*The figures in this table are plan averages across 29 states. The specific plan in your county may have different costs. Use Medicare.gov or the plan finder below to see the exact options available at your ZIP code.   

Most HealthSpring plans include Part D, Medicare's prescription drug benefit. CMS caps annual out-of-pocket drug spending at $2,100 for 2026, after which your plan covers remaining drug costs. Copays are fixed dollar amounts per visit. Co-insurance is a percentage of the total service cost. In-network care always costs less than out-of-network care on every plan type.

HealthSpring scores between 3.01 and 3.96 CMS stars across plan types, below the four-star threshold for quality bonus payments. Plans at four stars or above earn bonus payments that insurers apply toward added benefits or lower premiums the following year.

When I reviewed HealthSpring's 2026 data, the PPO score stood out. At 3.01 stars, it sits 0.62 below the national average on the measures that determine how well a plan manages complex care.

Of 516 rated Medicare Advantage contracts in 2026, 207 earned four or more stars with an industry average of 3.98 weighted toward the largest plans. No HealthSpring contract reached that threshold.

PPO plans carry the widest quality gap at 0.62 points below average. HMO-POS plans at 3.96 stars are the strongest option in the portfolio.

HealthSpring offers HMO, PPO and HMO-POS plans for 2026. For most beneficiaries, the choice comes down to network flexibility.

HealthSpring covers 29 states and Washington, D.C. Your state determines both the plan types available and how many options you can compare before enrolling. Florida and Maryland residents have access to HMO plans alone, while Connecticut residents have PPO option only. Tennessee and Texas offer the widest selection, with six plans each. Check the table below for your state before comparing costs.

Plan availability varies by county within each state, not just by state. Two neighboring counties can offer different numbers of plan choices. Use the plan finder below or go to Medicare.gov to confirm which HealthSpring plans are available at your specific ZIP code before comparing costs.

HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans include supplemental benefits Original Medicare doesn't cover. Part A covers hospital care and Part B covers medical services, but neither covers the following.

• Silver&Fit fitness: Silver&Fit gives gym and YMCA access at no cost. Beneficiaries already paying $40 to $60 monthly for a gym save $480 to $720 per year when a HealthSpring plan covers the cost.
• Over-the-counter allowance: A quarterly Flex Card allowance, a prepaid card loaded with your benefit amount, covers over-the-counter health products including pain relievers, vitamins, first aid supplies and dental care items. Amounts vary by plan and directly offset drugstore spending that would otherwise come out of pocket.
• Wellness incentives: HMO plans load up to $200 onto your Flex Card for completing health screenings and wellness activities, including annual exams and fitness goals. Contact your plan to confirm which activities qualify in your county, as eligible activities vary by plan.
• Part B Premium Reduction: Select HealthSpring plans reduce your monthly Part B premium through a giveback benefit. This credit reduces your Social Security payment each month, lowering your Part B cost with no action required. The 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90. The reduction varies by plan and county. Confirm the amount for your ZIP code before enrolling.
• MDLIVE Telehealth: MDLIVE provides 24/7 video and phone visits with primary care doctors and specialists, including mental health providers. Visits cost the same as in-office appointments under your plan terms. For HMO members in counties where in-network provider density is lower, telehealth closes care gaps that in-person-only coverage would leave open.
• Non-emergency transportation: Transportation through Modivcare covers one-way trips up to 70 miles to medical appointments. Trips must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance. Vans, taxis, wheelchair-equipped vehicles and rideshare options are available by location.
• Post-hospitalization meals: HealthSpring delivers meals at no cost during recovery after a hospital stay or a skilled nursing facility stay, which is a short-term care center for recovery after discharge. This is a resource Original Medicare doesn't provide.
• Caregiver support: Included on qualifying plans, one-on-one coaching helps family caregivers organize appointments, referrals and communication across multiple doctors at no added cost.
• Dental, Vision and Hearing: All HealthSpring plans cover routine vision exams and hearing tests annually. Most include preventive dental through the Cigna Dental network. Select plans add eyeglass allowances through EyeMed. These benefits cover care that Original Medicare doesn't pay for.

HealthSpring PPO plans average $1 per month, $36 less than UnitedHealthcare's $37 and $66 less than BCBS's $67. UnitedHealthcare covers 46 states, 17 more than HealthSpring, and scores 0.86 more stars on PPO quality ratings. Beneficiaries who need broader geographic coverage or higher CMS quality scores should compare UnitedHealthcare. Beneficiaries focused on zero-cost premiums should start with HealthSpring.

On HMO plans, HealthSpring scores 3.77 against BCBS's 3.73 and costs $23 less per month. BCBS earns higher quality scores on PPO and HMO-POS plans, with PPO plans averaging $67 versus HealthSpring's $1. Beneficiaries who prioritize PPO quality over cost should compare BCBS plans in their county.

Cigna HealthCare transitioned to HealthSpring in 2026. The insurer has HMO, PPO and HMO-POS plans in 29 states and Washington, D.C. Browse options below by location to compare monthly premiums 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.

HealthSpring plans are underwritten by a Medicare entity within HCSC that holds its own AM Best financial strength rating, separate from the rating HCSC holds as the parent company. The entity was recently acquired and doesn't yet share HCSC's parent rating.

We scored Cigna HealthCare's Medicare Advantage plans (rebranded as HealthSpring in 2026 following Health Care Service Corporation's acquisition) by reviewing 2026 CMS plan data for all eligible plans across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Data was accessed in March 2026. The review covered plan costs and federal quality ratings, with geographic availability as a secondary factor.

• 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 limit what retirees pay 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 quality, member service and health results. Plans scoring 4 stars or higher have more reliable operational systems, which CMS audits correlate with fewer coverage denials and faster claim resolution.
• Availability (10%): Geographic reach factors into our score because broader coverage means you won't need to switch carriers if you relocate. It also correlates with more developed claims-processing systems across different state regulations. HealthSpring's 29-state footprint is below the largest national carriers in our analysis.