Cigna vs Anthem Medicare Supplement: Plans and Rates Compared

cigna vs anthem medigap is one of the most common Medicare supplement comparisons seniors research each year. Both companies have long histories in the Medicare market. Cigna offers Medigap plans in 48 states plus Washington D.C.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield covers 14 states as part of its parent company Elevance Health. Each carrier brings different plan options, pricing structures, and extra benefits to the table. Choosing between them depends on where you live, what coverage you need, and how much you want to spend. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about cigna vs anthem medigap so you can make a confident decision about your Medicare supplement coverage in 2026.

Cigna Vs Anthem Medigap: Quick Comparison

This cigna vs anthem medigap overview reveals two strong but fundamentally different carriers. Cigna covers nearly every state with a focused set of plan letters. Anthem offers more plan variety but serves only 14 states. However, both earn an A rating from AM Best. Their CMS Star Ratings are also close. The best choice depends largely on your state and your specific coverage priorities.

One important note for 2026: Cigna sold its Medicare businesses to HCSC in March 2025. These plans now operate under the HealthSpring brand. However, the coverage options, provider networks, and benefits remain largely the same. Many beneficiaries still search for Cigna when comparing their Medicare supplement options.

Medicare Plan Options: Cigna vs Anthem

When evaluating cigna vs anthem medigap plan options, Anthem offers a wider selection of letters. Anthem sells Medigap Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Cigna focuses on fewer letters: Plans A, F, High-Deductible F, G, High-Deductible G, and N. For most new enrollees, Plan G is the best value from either carrier. It covers everything Original Medicare does not pay except the annual Part B deductible. According to medicare.gov, all Medigap plans with the same letter provide identical core benefits regardless of insurer.

Anthem’s wider plan menu matters for certain beneficiaries. Plans K and L offer lower premiums with cost-sharing up to annual limits. Plan M covers a portion of the Part A deductible at a reduced premium. These options are not available through Cigna. If you want a budget-friendly Medigap plan with some out-of-pocket risk, Anthem gives you more choices. On the other hand, Cigna’s streamlined lineup makes plan selection simpler.

Both carriers also offer Medicare Advantage plans. Cigna provides HMO, PPO, PFFS, and Special Needs Plans in 29 states. Anthem offers HMO and PPO plans along with D-SNP, C-SNP, and I-SNP options. In most cases, Medicare Advantage plans from both companies include $0 premium options. For prescription drug coverage, Cigna still offers three standalone Part D plans. Anthem has exited the standalone Part D market entirely for 2026. If you want Anthem drug coverage, you must choose a Medicare Advantage plan with integrated Part D benefits.

Rates and Enrollment: Cigna vs Anthem

The cigna vs anthem medigap rate comparison depends on your age, location, gender, and tobacco use. Typically, both carriers use attained-age rating in most states. This means your premium starts lower and increases gradually as you get older. For example, Plan G rates from either carrier generally fall between $150 and $300 per month. Your specific quote will vary based on your zip code and health profile during underwritten periods.

Anthem tends to price competitively within its 14-state footprint. As a Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate, Anthem leverages strong provider contracts. This often translates to stable premiums over time. On the other hand, Cigna’s broader geographic availability means it faces more competition in certain markets. This competitive pressure can lead to lower initial premiums in states where multiple carriers compete aggressively for Medigap business.

Enrollment options are straightforward with both companies. You can enroll through a licensed insurance agent, by phone, or through each carrier’s website. Both carriers accept applications during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This six-month window begins when you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this period, neither company can deny coverage or charge more for pre-existing conditions. You can verify your enrollment rights and timelines at cms.gov.

Rate stability is another factor worth considering. Anthem’s Blue Cross Blue Shield brand carries decades of Medicare market experience. Cigna’s Medicare business, now under HCSC, also has a long track record. In most cases, both carriers file annual rate increases that align with regional healthcare cost trends. Requesting quotes from both carriers at the same time gives you the clearest comparison.

Additional Benefits Compared

In the cigna vs anthem medigap benefits comparison, extra perks can tip the decision. Standard Medigap plans do not include dental, vision, or hearing coverage. These benefits are standardized by federal law. However, both carriers offer extras through their Medicare Advantage plans. Cigna includes dental, vision, and hearing in most MA plans. Anthem does the same and goes further with innovative Medigap plans in California, Nevada, and Kentucky.

Anthem stands out with its SilverSneakers fitness membership. This program is widely recognized and accepted at thousands of gyms across the country. Cigna offers Silver&Fit instead. Both programs provide free gym access and fitness classes for eligible members. However, SilverSneakers has a larger network of participating locations. Many Medicare beneficiaries also carry a life insurance policy to protect their family. You can compare life insurance rates at Life Insure Guide to find affordable coverage that fits your retirement budget.

Anthem’s innovative Medigap plans deserve special attention. In California, Nevada, and Kentucky, Anthem adds preventive vision and hearing benefits directly to Plans F, G, and N. These enhancements come at no additional premium. No other major Medigap carrier offers this type of built-in add-on. Cigna does not include similar extras for its supplement plans. For beneficiaries in those three states, this is a meaningful and unique advantage that sets Anthem apart.

Financial Strength and Stability

Understanding cigna vs anthem medigap financial strength helps you select a carrier that will be around for the long term. Both companies earn an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best. This rating reflects strong ability to meet ongoing policyholder obligations. Cigna’s parent company, The Cigna Group, maintains a stable financial outlook. Anthem’s parent, Elevance Health, also holds a stable outlook. AM Best recently upgraded ratings for several Elevance Health subsidiaries in December 2025.

CMS Star Ratings offer another perspective on quality. Cigna’s Medicare Advantage plans average 3.68 stars out of 5. Anthem averages 3.62 stars. Both scores fall slightly below the national average. However, individual plan ratings vary considerably by state and plan type. You can look up specific plan ratings for your area using the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov. Star ratings measure factors like customer service, preventive care, and chronic disease management.

JD Power member satisfaction scores add useful context. In the 2025 Medicare Advantage study, Anthem earned a score of 680 out of 1,000 in Ohio. That was the highest score for any carrier in any region. Cigna scored 616 nationally, placing third overall. For complaint ratios, both carriers perform well. Anthem’s Medigap complaints run about 1% below the national average. Cigna has historically maintained favorable complaint ratios as well. Retirees should also review their homeowners coverage alongside Medicare choices. You can compare home insurance rates at Home Insure Guide to make sure your property is properly protected in retirement.

Which Medicare Carrier Should You Choose?

Choose Cigna if: You live outside Anthem’s 14-state service area and need broad Medigap availability. You want a standalone Part D prescription drug plan alongside your Medigap policy. You prefer a streamlined plan selection with fewer but popular options. You value Silver&Fit gym access and nationwide coverage consistency.

Choose Anthem if: You live in one of Anthem’s 14 states and want Blue Cross Blue Shield network access and brand recognition. You prefer more Medigap plan letter choices including Plans B, D, K, L, and M. You want SilverSneakers gym membership with its extensive location network. You live in California, Nevada, or Kentucky and want innovative plans with built-in vision and hearing benefits.

The cigna vs anthem medigap decision ultimately comes down to geography and personal priorities. Anthem offers more plan variety and stronger regional networks in its service states. However, it covers far fewer states than Cigna. Cigna provides consistent, reliable coverage across nearly the entire country. Both carriers are financially strong, well-rated by AM Best, and trusted by millions of Medicare beneficiaries. The smartest approach is to compare quotes from both carriers in your area and weigh the specific plan features that matter most to your healthcare needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cigna or Anthem better for Medicare Supplement coverage?

The answer depends on your location and coverage needs. In most cases, Anthem offers more Medigap plan letter choices in its 14-state service area. However, Cigna covers 48 states with competitive rates. For cigna vs anthem medigap overall, both provide strong Plan G options that are worth comparing side by side.

Does Anthem still offer standalone Part D prescription drug plans?

No. Anthem exited the standalone Medicare Part D market for 2026. However, most Anthem Medicare Advantage plans include integrated prescription drug coverage. If you prefer Original Medicare with a separate drug plan, Cigna still offers three standalone Part D options nationwide.

Are cigna vs anthem medigap plans the same if they have the same letter?

Yes, Medigap plans with the same letter provide identical core benefits by federal law. For example, Plan G from Cigna covers the same services as Plan G from Anthem. However, monthly premiums, customer service quality, claims processing speed, and extra perks like fitness programs can differ significantly between the two carriers.

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Official Sources & Resources

For verified information on Medicare plans, ratings, and enrollment:

• Medicare.gov (Official): medicare.gov
• CMS.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid): cms.gov
• AM Best (Financial Strength Ratings): ambest.com
• NAIC (Complaint Ratios): naic.org
• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): shiphelp.org
• Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): kff.org

Content last reviewed April 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.

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