Cigna Medicare Advantage Plans Review

Cigna offers several Medicare Advantage plans to choose from, including HMO, PPO and SNP options.

SeniorLiving.org Rating:
3.5 of 5
See Plans Links to Cigna
24/7 customer service
$0 or low deductibles
Available in 29 states and Washington, D.C.
HMO, PPO and SNP plans

SeniorLiving.org is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines

SeniorLiving.org Rating:
3.5 of 5
See Plans Links to Cigna
Jeff Hoyt
Jeff Hoyt, Editor in Chief Read About Our Panel of Experts

Cigna 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. Cigna 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 Cigna’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 Cigna Healthcare, to get his advice on choosing the right Medicare Advantage plan for you. Keep reading to learn more.

FYI:

FYI: Preparing to enroll in Medicare? Visit our guide to Medicare enrollment to learn all the inside tips.

Pros About Cigna Medicare Advantage

  • All-in-one coverage gives you Medicare Part A and Part B benefits in addition to Part D, if available. Cigna 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 Cigna 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 Cigna’s in-network providers.

Available Cigna Medicare Advantage Plans

Almost all Medicare Advantage plans (97 percent) offer vision, dental and hearing.1 Cigna 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?

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 Medicare2

HMO

If you choose one of Cigna’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. Cigna 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 Cigna’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:

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

Cigna 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, Cigna Medicare Advantage may help with the expenses.
Expert Tip:

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

About 99 percent of Medicare Advantage plans offer at least one supplemental benefit.3 Cigna 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 Cigna’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 Cigna’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.
  • Cigna Healthy Today card: To help you manage your health better, Cigna’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: Cigna 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:

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 Cigna 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.”

Cigna Medicare Advantage plans vary widely from person to person and plan to plan — including the cost. The average premium for Medicare Advantage plans is roughly $17 per month in 2025,4 but many of Cigna’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. Depending on which plan you choose, out-of-pocket limits can range from $1,450 to $3,400 for a Miami ZIP code. 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:

FYI: If you’d like to learn more about Medicare Advantage, visit our guide to Medicare Advantage.

Where Are Cigna Medicare Advantage Plans Available?

Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans are available in 29 states, as well as Washington, D.C. Cigna offers stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDP) across the country, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Pro Tip:

Pro Tip: Love the doctor you’re seeing? Use Cigna’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: Cigna Medicare Advantage received an “A” (Excellent) rating from AM Best, indicating an excellent ability to deliver and meet their insurance obligations.
  • National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA): On a five-point scale, the NCQA ranks Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans between 3.5 and 5.
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): Cigna received 3.93 out of 5 based on customer satisfaction.
  • Better Business Bureau (BBB): Cigna is not accredited, but receives an A+ rating.

Customer Service

You can contact Cigna’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?

Did You Know? The myCigna 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 myCigna is available in Spanish!

Cigna vs. the Competition

Cigna 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.

Cigna vs. Aetna

Cigna is available in only 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 Cigna 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.

Cigna vs. BCBS

Cigna is available in 29 states, compared to 49 states (plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico) for Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage (BCBS). Like Cigna, 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?

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).

Cigna vs. Anthem

One carrier that has less availability than Cigna is Anthem Medicare Advantage, which covers only 14 states. Like Cigna, 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 Cigna’s many benefits. Anthem members have access to a network of 1.7 million doctors.

Our Methodology

Our team of specialists invested more than 50 hours conducting a comprehensive review of Cigna 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 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.

Final Thoughts on Cigna Medicare Advantage Plans

Cigna’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. Cigna’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, Cigna may be the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to Compare Your Medicare Coverage Options?
Click “Compare Plans” or call 1-800-363-9200 (TTY 711) to speak with a licensed insurance agent from our partner QuoteManage (M-F 10am-6pm EST).
Call for a Quote | 1-800-363-9200 (TTY 711)
With Our Partner QuoteManage
Written By:
Jeff Hoyt
Editor in Chief
Read About Our Panel of Experts
As Editor-in-Chief of the personal finance site MoneyTips.com, Jeff produced hundreds of articles on the subject of retirement, including preventing identity theft, minimizing taxes, investing successfully, preparing for retirement medical costs, protecting your credit score, and making your money last… Learn More About Jeff Hoyt