HealthSpring (Formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage Plans Review
HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) offers a variety of Medicare Advantage plans to choose from, including HMO, PPO, and SNP options designed to meet diverse health-care needs.
How we evaluated HealthSpring Medicare Advantage
Our team of specialists invested more than 100 hours conducting a comprehensive review of HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans. We examined crucial aspects, including carrier credibility, plan variety, cost-effectiveness of premiums and copays, and extra perks. Below we outline the specific criteria used in our 2026 assessment.
- Plan variety and coverage: We examined various plan types, including PPO, HMO, PFFS and SNP, to assess their medical and hospital benefits, prescription drug coverage and supplementary features, such as vision care and wellness programs.
- Cost and affordability: Our review considered key financial factors, including monthly premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance. We also assessed out-of-pocket maximums and potential health-care expenses, such as hospital stays, to gauge overall cost-effectiveness.
- Member satisfaction and support: We analyzed plan ratings from AM Best, CMS and BBB, incorporating customer reviews and feedback. We also evaluated the availability of customer service, support channels and the efficiency of claims processing.
- Extra features and perks: Recognizing the value of additional benefits, we assessed offerings such as fitness and wellness programs, transportation services, meal-delivery options and telehealth accessibility to determine their overall contribution to plan value.
HealthSpring Medicare Advantage offers some great options if you live in one of the 29 states (or Washington, D.C.) where its plans are available, but you need to know what to look for. HealthSpring offers several Medicare Advantage plans, including HMOs, PPOs and SNPs. Some plans also have supplemental benefits, such as services for mental health, transportation, medication management, meal programs and more.
Our insurance experts examined HealthSpring’s Medicare Advantage offerings to help you figure out what you can expect from each plan, their costs and benefits, and how they compare to other top Medicare Advantage plans. We also spoke with Ryan Kocher, the Medicare chief growth officer at HealthSpring Healthcare, to get his advice on choosing the right Medicare Advantage plan for you. Keep reading to learn more.
Pros About HealthSpring Medicare Advantage
- All-in-one coverage gives you Medicare Part A and Part B benefits in addition to Part D, if available. HealthSpring also has stand-alone prescription drug plans.
- Some plans offer dental, hearing and vision coverage; transportation; OTC benefits; and Silver&Fit fitness programs. A living needs allowance is offered in many D-SNPs.
- Plans are flexible and let you choose from HMOs, PPOs and SNPs. You’ll also pay a low monthly premium — or none at all, depending on the plan.
- You’ll have access to and will be able to work with pharmacy and case managers.
- Part B Giveback can bring cost reductions to your Medicare Part B premium, so there’s more money in your Social Security check each month.
Cons About HealthSpring Medicare Advantage
- Not all plans include dental coverage.
- Plans are available in only 29 states (plus Washington, D.C.).
- Although PPO plans are offered, many are HMOs, so you can receive care only from HealthSpring’s in-network providers.
Available HealthSpring Medicare Advantage Plans
Nearly all Medicare Advantage plans offer vision, dental and hearing benefits. HealthSpring offers offers a variety of Medicare Advantage plans, including preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, health maintenance organization (HMO) plans and special needs plans (SNPs). Keep in mind that benefits and plans often differ by location.
Did You Know? There are a variety of Medicare Advantage plan types, such as HMO, PPO, SNP, PFFS and MSA. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage in 2025 is expected to grow to 35.7 million, which totals more than half of enrollees in Medicare beneficiaries.1
HMO
If you choose one of HealthSpring’s HMO plans, you’ll have a local network of doctors and providers from whom you can seek care. Specialist referrals are mandatory, except for OB/GYN services. HealthSpring offers HMO point-of-service and HMO open access plans, through which you can receive more flexible coverage than is available with a standard HMO.
PPO
PPO plans have a large network of participating providers and facilities so you can choose from a broad range of doctors and hospitals. You’ll often receive global emergency, as well as urgent care coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you want to receive care outside of HealthSpring’s PPO network, be prepared to pay more and submit claims yourself. You’ll also need to meet a separate out-of-network deductible.
From the Experts: Wondering how to choose the right Medicare Advantage plan for you? “For Medicare Advantage, look at the network of doctors, hospitals and pharmacies included in the plan to make sure you can go to your favorite care providers,” Kocher says.
SNP
HealthSpring has three different SNPs. A dual SNP (D-SNP) is available for those who have both Medicare and Medicaid and are eligible for an SNP. Plus, a living-needs allowance is now offered in many D-SNPs. A chronic SNP (C-SNP) is available if you have diabetes mellitus, and an institutional SNP (I-SNP) is available for those who reside in a long-term care facility or require nursing home–level care. You’ll receive all the benefits of Medicare Advantage (including prescription drug coverage) in addition to extra services specific to the plan. Services may include:
- Interdisciplinary care team: If you’re enrolled in an SNP, your care team will consist of a primary doctor, caregiver (as needed), and network doctors and specialists. You can seek further support from pharmacists, social workers and nurse case managers.
- Case management: You’ll be paired with a case manager to assist you in setting up your medical goals. If you have diabetes, your case manager will help monitor your blood sugar levels.
- Customized care plans: You’ll take a health risk assessment, which will determine the best care plan for you. From there, you’ll be assigned a case manager or primary care physician to help you achieve your health-related goals.
- Care transitions: If you’re required to stay at a hospital or skilled nursing facility, HealthSpring Medicare Advantage may help with the expenses.
Expert Tip: You can change your Medicare coverage choices during the annual enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. “Your health changes from year to year and your current plan can change too,” Kocher says. “Review any changes to your current plan so you can decide if it is still the right fit for you based on what you’ll need next year.”
Extra Perks and Benefits
Nearly all Medicare Advantage plans offer at least one supplemental benefit. HealthSpring offers several additional benefits with many of its Medicare Advantage plans, although benefits vary by plan and location. The benefits may include behavioral health support, medication management, transportation, dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships, home-delivered meals and HealthSpring’s over-the-counter program. Let's take a closer look at the benefits:
- Fitness: Your plan may provide access to the Silver&Fit Aging and Exercise program, through which you can sign up for gym memberships and access home fitness programs.
- Transportation: If your plan has transportation benefits, you will receive transportation via vans, taxis, wheelchair-equipped vehicles and ride-hailing services (Uber or Lyft where available) arranged through HealthSpring’s transportation vendor. You must, however, request the services 48 hours in advance. Mileage restrictions and trip limits also vary by plan.
- Home-delivered meals: Once you are discharged from a hospital or skilled nursing facility, your plan may allow you to have 14 meals delivered to your home via GA Foods. This benefit can be used up to three times each year.
- Virtual Companionship Program: This benefit provides phone calls with virtual companions who can provide social engagement and assist with nonmedical services, such as transportation, meal deliveries and home-safety options. The program has a set number of hours.
- HealthSpring Flex card: To help you manage your health better, HealthSpring’s Medicare Advantage plans give you a personal prepaid card loaded with benefits that are included within your plan, such as OTC, pet and living-needs allowances. They will also add up to $200 in funds to your card when you complete screenings and healthy activities.
- Diabetic supplies: If your plan covers preferred-brand diabetic supplies, you can get them delivered to your home. That includes preferred blood glucose monitors, diabetes test strips and additional supplies.
- In-home care providers: HealthSpring partners with in-home care providers, who work with your primary care doctor and provide a range of health-care services virtually or in the comfort of your home.
From the Experts: “Medicare Advantage plans are popular because they offer extra benefits beyond Original Medicare, such as dental, vision and hearing, and many plans provide Part D drug coverage,” Kocher says. “Some great new Medicare Advantage benefits include caregiver support, social support and transportation to doctors and pharmacies.”
How Much Do HealthSpring Medicare Advantage Plans Cost?
Medicare Advantage plans from any carrier “are generally affordable and some plans are $0 premium,” Kocher says. “Although cost varies, Medicare Advantage may have lower or higher out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare. You may also have an additional premium for added voluntary benefits.”
HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans vary widely from person to person and plan to plan — including the cost. The average premium for Medicare Advantage plans is approximately $34 per month in 2026,2 but many of HealthSpring’s plans are low-cost or have a $0 monthly premium and a $0 copay for primary care visits. Special needs premiums in Miami, for example, were $0, and had $3,500 out-of-pocket limits. Keep in mind that geographic location is a large determinant. Regardless of your location, you'll still be required to pay Medicare Part B premiums (and Part A premiums in some cases).
FYI: If you’d like to learn more about Medicare Advantage, visit our guide to Medicare Advantage.
Where Are HealthSpring Medicare Advantage Plans Available?
HealthSpring’s Medicare Advantage plans are available in 29 states, as well as Washington, D.C. HealthSpring offers stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDP) across the country, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Pro Tip: Love the doctor you’re seeing? Use HealthSpring’s provider and pharmacy directory to see if they accept your Medicare Advantage plan.
Reviews and Ratings
When searching for a Medicare Advantage plan, it never hurts to look at reviews and ratings from trusted sources.
- AM Best: Health Care Service Corporation Group (HealthSpring’s parent company) received an “A+” (Excellent) rating from AM Best as of 2026, indicating an excellent ability to deliver and meet their insurance obligations.3
- National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA): On a five-point scale, the NCQA ranks HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans between 3 and 5 for 2025.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): HealthSpring received an average rating of 3.68 out of 5 stars for 2026 based on customer satisfaction and plan performance.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): HealthSpring is not BBB accredited but maintains an A+ rating, according to the BBB.
Customer Service
You can contact HealthSpring’s customer service in a few ways:
- Calling a representative at 800-997-1654 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
- Chatting online from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday
- Chatting via Facebook or X (previously known as Twitter)
Did You Know? The HealthSpring web and mobile apps provide enrollees with one-stop access to their coverage, prescriptions, premium payments, ID cards and more. That means you have 24/7/365 access to your plan and live support. Plus HealthSpring is available in Spanish!
HealthSpring vs. the Competition
HealthSpring is one of several carriers that offer Medicare Advantage plans. Not all have the same nationwide availability or plan variety, so it’s always good to review the competition.
HealthSpring vs. Aetna
HealthSpring’s Medicare Advantage plans are available in 29 states, compared to Aetna's availability in all 50. Aetna has a partnership with CVS Health, so enrollees benefit from visits to walk-in MinuteClinics at CVS in locations all over the U.S. Both Aetna and HealthSpring offer a variety of great benefits for enrollees beyond dental, hearing and vision, such as fitness and wellness programs, meals and transportation. Visit our Aetna Medicare Advantage review to learn more.
HealthSpring vs. BCBS
HealthSpring’s Medicare Advantage plans are available in 29 states, compared to 49 states (plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico) for Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage (BCBS). Like HealthSpring, BCBS offers HMOs, PPOs and SNPs, but it has fewer SNPs than other companies. BCBS offers many benefits, such as a SilverSneakers membership and a Blue365 discount card.
Did You Know? Using the myCigna mobile app, you can sync your steps, sleep and active minutes data to support your wellness activities, including rewards and challenges (depending on your plan).
HealthSpring vs. Anthem
One carrier that has less availability than HealthSpring is Anthem Medicare Advantage, which covers only 14 states. Like HealthSpring, Anthem offers SNP plans with $0 or low monthly premiums. Anthem offers many benefits, such as 24/7 telehealth visit access, home help and spending allowances that are similar to HealthSpring’s many benefits. Anthem members have access to a network of 1.7 million doctors.
Final Thoughts on HealthSpring Medicare Advantage Plans
HealthSpring’s Medicare Advantage plans are a great choice, because you can choose from HMOs, PPOs and SNPs. You'll pay a low or even $0 monthly premium, and the benefits are satisfactory. HealthSpring’s customer service team is readily available across a multitude of channels, so you won't have to worry about how to reach them. If you're looking for a Medicare Advantage plan that has many options, excellent benefits and low costs, HealthSpring may be the right choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do Medicare Advantage plans replace Medicare?
No, Medicare Advantage plans don’t replace Medicare; they’re an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits. Part C plans bundle your Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage together and often include prescription drug coverage plus extra perks like dental, vision, hearing, fitness programs, and transportation services.
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Where can I find a list of providers who accept the plan?
You can find a list of providers who accept the plan by searching for a provider on Cigna’s online provider directory at Cigna.com/medicare/find-doctors.
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How do I know if a drug is covered under my prescription drug coverage or under my medical coverage?
Some medications are covered under your HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plan’s Part B medical coverage, while other medications may be covered by your HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plan’s Part D prescription drug coverage. To find out which coverage applies to your specific medication, check your plan’s formulary or contact HealthSpring customer service for clarification.
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How can I request a copy of my HealthSpring ID card?
You can request a new ID card by calling customer service at 877-748-7391, or you can print your ID card at Healthspring.com.
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs to Remain Stable as CMS Implements Improvements to the Programs in 2025.
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National Counsil on Aging. (2025). What Are the Costs of Medicare Advantage?
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AM Best. (2026). AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Health Care Service Corporation Group Members and Health Care Service Corp Medicare & Supplemental Group Members.
