If you prioritize a large network and don't mind potentially dealing with claims issues, UnitedHealthcare might be a good choice. However, if you're looking for a low-cost option with good dental coverage and are in a state where it's available, Cigna Medicare Advantage could be a better fit, but be aware of the customer service concerns.
| Metric | UnitedHealthcare | Cigna Medicare Advantage | Aetna Medicare Advantage | Cigna Global |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | ACA marketplace plans average $602/month (2025). Many Medicare Advantage plans (61%) have $0 premiums, with an average of $62.59 for those with a cost. Costs vary based on age, metal tier, plan type, tobacco use, and location. | Varies by plan and location; some plans have $0 premium options. Average around $7 per month. | Not available | Not available |
| Deductible | Varies by plan. Some plans have no deductible, while others have separate deductibles for medical and prescription drugs. For example, the UHC Gold Choice 1500 has a $1,500 individual network deductible and a separate $500 deductible for prescription drugs (tiers 2-4). | Varies by plan; some plans have $0 deductible. Some plans have individual deductibles from $50 to $100. True Choice Plus Medicare PPO plan has a $500 deductible in 2025. | Not available | A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. It's a way of sharing risk between you (the policyholder) and your insurer. Generally, a higher deductible means lower premiums, and vice versa. The deductible can be a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the total insurance on a policy. |
| Out-of-pocket Maximum | Varies by plan. For example, one plan has a $3,700 in-network out-of-pocket max. Another plan has a $4,900 in-network out-of-pocket max. UHC Gold Choice 1500 has a $6,350 individual in-network out-of-pocket limit. | Varies by plan and location. Can be as low as $3,400 in Texas. Average around $5,471. Some plans have a maximum of $1,500. | Not available | Not available |
| Primary Care Physician (PCP) Copay | Varies by plan. Some plans offer $0 copays for PCP visits, while others may have a copay (e.g., $10, $15, $30, $35). | Varies by plan; some plans have $0 copay. Some plans have copays of $5, $20, $30. | Not available | Not available |
| Specialist Copay | Varies by plan. Copays can range from $20 to $60 or more, or a coinsurance. One plan has a $25 specialist copay, while others have $40, $50, or $60 copays. | Varies by plan; some plans have $20, $30, $35, $40, $45, or $50 copays. | Not available | Not available |
| Emergency Room Copay | Varies by plan. Some plans have copays of $110, $120, $125, $140, or $250. Some plans may waive the copay if admitted to the hospital. | Varies by plan; some plans have $120, $125, $150, or $250 copays. Some plans waive the copay if admitted to the hospital within 24 hours. | Not available | Not available |
| Prescription Drug Coverage | Varies by plan. UnitedHealthcare offers a Prescription Drug List (PDL) that categorizes medications into tiers, with lower tiers generally having lower costs. Some plans may have a separate prescription drug deductible. Prescription costs may not exceed $2,000 per year in 2025 for some plans. | Most plans include prescription drug benefits (Part D). Some plans cap insulin costs at $35 a month. Cigna has the second-lowest drug deductible among insurers reviewed by Investopedia. | Not available | Not available |
| In-network Coverage | UnitedHealthcare has a large network of doctors and hospitals. Coverage is generally limited to in-network providers for HMO plans, while PPO plans offer some coverage for out-of-network providers at a higher cost. | HMO plans typically require using in-network providers, except for emergencies. PPO plans offer coverage both in and out of network, but out-of-network costs are higher. | Not available | Not available |
| Out-of-network Coverage | PPO plans offer some out-of-network coverage, but costs are typically higher. Some plans may require preauthorization for out-of-network services. | PPO and HMO-POS plans offer some out-of-network coverage, but costs are typically higher. | Not available | Not available |
| Dental Coverage | Many Medicare Advantage plans offer dental coverage, ranging from preventive-only (exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride) to comprehensive (fillings, crowns, extractions, dentures). Some plans offer a dental allowance (e.g., $1,500). | Included in most Medicare Advantage plans. May include routine checkups, cleanings, and X-rays with no copays or deductibles. Some plans offer up to $2,500 in dental benefits. Some plans may cover implants. | Not available | Not available |
| Vision Coverage | Many plans include vision coverage, such as $0 eye exams and eyewear allowances. | Included in most Medicare Advantage plans. Typically covers routine eye exams and may offer an allowance for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Some plans offer up to $300 in vision benefits. | Not available | Not available |
| Telehealth Coverage | Many plans offer $0 copays for virtual medical and mental health visits. | Many plans offer 24/7 virtual care via telehealth. | Not available | Not available |
| Preventive Care Coverage | All Medicare Advantage plans cover Medicare-covered preventive services for a $0 copay with a network provider. This includes annual physical exams, lab tests, mammograms, and colonoscopies. | Most plans cover preventive care services, sometimes with no cost-sharing. | Not available | Not available |
| Customer Satisfaction Rating | UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans received an average rating of 3.95 stars out of 5 from CMS for 2025, weighted by enrollment. In a 2021 Verint study, UnitedHealthcare ranked first with a user satisfaction score of 84.1. | Slightly below average. CMS gives an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Cigna received 3.93 out of 5 based on customer satisfaction. NCQA ranks Cigna's Medicare Advantage plans between 3.5 and 5. | Not available | Not available |
| Plan Type | Offers HMO, PPO, and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) including Dual-Eligible (D-SNP), Chronic Condition (C-SNP), and Institutional plans. | HMO, PPO, SNPs, and PFFS. Also offers separate Medicare Part D plans. | Not available | Not available |
| overall | 4.17/5 | 3.5/5 | Not available | Not available |
| performance | 3.95/5 | 3.97/5 | Not available | Not available |