Aetna gets the best star ratings among large companies with near-nationwide availability and makes $0-premium plans available to most Medicare members, but it doesn’t have the best customer satisfaction.
HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage offers the highest percentage of $0-premium plans and the lowest average monthly premium among major companies, and the majority of its members are in highly rated plans.
Here’s a look at how Aetna and HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage compare.
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Aetna Medicare Advantage
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans with $0 premiums are widely available and get good star ratings, but customer satisfaction scores on surveys are underwhelming.
Pros
Highest weighted average star ratings among companies that sell plans nearly nationwide.
$0 premium plans available to 82% of Medicare beneficiaries.
$0 coverage for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs on most plans.
All plans include SilverSneakers and some dental, vision and hearing coverage.
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction in many markets surveyed by J.D. Power.
Maximum out-of-pocket costs are higher than most major competitors.
Other factors to consider
Provider size | 4th-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | More than 4.1 million. |
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher | 68%. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 61%. |
Plans available | HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, SNP. |
Aetna Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans
HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage
HealthSpring is the new name for Cigna Medicare plans. HealthSpring plans have low costs, but their star ratings could be better, and they’re not available everywhere.
Pros
8 in 10 Cigna plans are $0-premium plans.
Plans with premiums are relatively inexpensive.
Side benefits include include gym memberships, transportation and meal delivery.
Cons
Available in only 29 states and Washington, D.C.
Star ratings from CMS are below average.
Plans score 3 stars out of 5 on NCQA’s rating scale.
Other factors to consider
Provider size | 8th-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | Nearly 690,000. |
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher | 52%. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 83%. |
Plans available | HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, SNP. |
HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans
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?
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
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.