Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM -------------------------------------------------------- We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-108835) of Conseco, Inc of our report dated March 31, 2009 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated March 31, 2009 relating to the financial statement schedules, which appear in this Form 10-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP - ------------------------------ Indianapolis, Indiana March 31, 2009