HealthSpring plans offer customers many options for 2026

• Plans available for many lifestyles and budgets, including Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, Medicare Supplement plans, and standalone Prescription Drug Plans.
• Routine vision and hearing benefits included in all Medicare Advantage (MA) plans; dental coverage in most.
• Many MA plans available for $0 premium; some give customers money back on their Social Security check.*
• Transition to HealthSpring brand will formally occur on Jan. 1

CHICAGO, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthSpring, a new brand for Health Care Service Corporation's acquired Medicare business, will give customers in 29 states and the District of Columbia plenty of choices with its 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) offerings, including plans for most lifestyles, health statuses, and budgets.

This may include Medicare Advantage HMOs and PPOs, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (DSNP) for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid**, and Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (CSNP) for people with certain qualifying chronic health conditions.***

Additionally, HealthSpring offers Medicare Supplement plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP).

"Medicare isn't a one size fits all proposition," said Stephen Harris, President, Government Markets with Health Care Service Corporation, which includes HealthSpring. "People eligible for Medicare are very diverse, with unique backgrounds and needs. That's why it's important for insurers to serve their local communities and provide them with options that meet their individual needs, and HealthSpring has the size and scale to do that."

Medicare Advantage plans

MA plans provide additional benefits not available in "original" Medicare. All HealthSpring MA plans include routine vision and hearing coverage. Most include dental coverage, no-cost fitness programs, home-delivered meals at no extra cost following hospitalization****, and prescription drug coverage. Plans remain affordable with many available for no extra premium and with some including a rebate of the customer's Part B premium.*

Other benefits available by plan may include:

• Transportation to and from doctors and pharmacies
• Allowance for over-the-counter health-related products
• Support program for caregivers
• Virtual care options for nonemergency urgent care, behavioral health, dermatology and speech therapy
• Online tool for advance care planning

Preventive care continues to be a focus with incentives of up to $500 available in Special Needs Plans (SNP) to reward healthy activities. All other plans continue to feature an incentive of up to $200. Incentives are available for activities including annual wellness visits, certain preventive health screenings, and staying active and socially engaged. They are loaded directly onto the customer's HealthSpring Flex Card.

Additionally, HealthSpring is expanding Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans this year to a total of 46 counties. These plans are designed to help members with diabetes, chronic heart failure, and certain cardiovascular disorders. They include a quarterly allowance for purchasing healthy groceries.*****

Other options

In addition to MA plans, HealthSpring's Medicare Supplement plans are offered in 48 states and the District of Columbia. In most areas, premium discounts are available for customers in the same household and those who apply online. Customers also can purchase companion products, such as standalone dental plans, hospital indemnity, short-term care, and a combined plan including dental, vision, and hearing.

Medicare Supplement plans often are paired with a standalone PDP. For 2026, HealthSpring's PDPs are available in 48 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. PDP options include the following:

• HealthSpring Assurance Rx: Available to serve customers with Extra Help or those looking for basic coverage.
• HealthSpring Extra Rx: Provides flexible coverage with a large pharmacy network, savings on many generics, and select supplemental benefits, such as prescription vitamins, coverage of many drugs, and a low deductible.

Most plans have $0 copay options for select medications purchased through preferred home delivery.

2026 Annual Enrollment Period
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period begins Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7. Most plans purchased during AEP are effective Jan. 1, 2026.

People can learn more about HealthSpring's plans and find out which plans are available in their locations by entering their ZIP codes at www.healthspring.com or by calling (877) 349-2897 (TTY 711) seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, (through the end of AEP) to speak with a licensed insurance agent.

Brand history
Long-time customers likely remember HealthSpring from the past. It is a strong brand with an outstanding reputation for putting customers first. "This trusted brand harkens to the past, while setting the current standard for serving customers with care and compassion so they can accomplish their goals," Harris said.

Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/service area. Limitations, copayments, exclusions and restrictions may apply. Contact the plan for more information.

Specific benefit allowance amounts will be added to your HealthSpring Flex card and do not carry over to the next quarter or the following year. Any unused allowance amounts will expire upon disenrollment from the plan.

*HealthSpring will reduce your monthly Part B premium based on the plan's specific benefit amount.

**These plans are available to anyone who has both medical assistance from the state (Medicaid) and Medicare. Premiums, copays, coinsurance, deductibles and benefits may vary based on the level of Medicaid and Extra Help you receive. Contact the plan for more information.

***You must be clinically diagnosed with cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure or diabetes to be eligible for these plans and maintain coverage.

****Releases from an emergency department, observation stay or outpatient visit are not eligible.

*****Special Supplemental Benefit for Chronically Ill (SSBCI) members only. To be eligible to receive this benefit, you must be diagnosed with cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure or diabetes. Other eligibility and coverage criteria may apply. Contact the plan for more information.

HealthSpring products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company. Health Care Service Corporation and its affiliates, HealthSpring Life and Health Insurance Company, HealthSpring of Florida, HealthSpring Healthcare of Colorado, Bravo Health of Pennsylvania, Bravo Health Mid-Atlantic, Medco Containment Life Insurance Company and Medco Containment Insurance Company of New York, contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in these plans depends on contract renewal. © 2025 Health Care Service Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

HealthSpring is the newest national brand from Health Care Service Corporation, offering Medicare plans available for enrollment in October 2025. HealthSpring joins the HCSC portfolio of national platforms and solutions that go beyond the expected – serving more than 26 million people across the country with the goal to advance health care by being a trusted partner to members, committed to helping them achieve their health and wellness goals.

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SOURCE Health Care Service Corporation