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Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans Review

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Medicare rating: 4 stars A.M. Best financial strength rating: A BBB rating: A+ NCQA rating: 2.5 to 4.5 stars Consumer Affairs rating: 4 J.D. Power ranking: 7th out of 10

Quick Aetna Medicare Plans review: Aetna Medicare plans give seniors access to a large network of medical professionals with $0 premiums and affordable copays.

Established in 1853, Aetna is one of the nation’s oldest insurance companies, and it’s processed Medicare claims since 1966. Today, Aetna is owned by CVS Health, and it insures more than 39 million individuals, including 10.6 million Medicare beneficiaries. The company offers an impressive selection of Medicare Advantage Plans in 46 states and the District of Columbia. These plans provide medical care and a variety of extra benefits and give excellent value.

The company also manages stand-alone prescription drug plans and sells Medigap supplemental insurance. If you’re enrolling in Medicare for the first time or want to change coverage, learn more about some of the Aetna Medicare plans that may be available in your area.

Pros and Cons of Aetna Medicare Plans

What we like about Aetna Medicare plans: The drawbacks of Aetna Medicare plans:
  • Coverage available in 46 states
  • Average CMS satisfaction rating of 4 stars
  • Wide selection of HMO and PPO plans
  • Variable quality ratings
  • Concerns about coverage value
  • Frequent changes to drug formularies

What Do Aetna Medicare Plans Cover?

Also called Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage Plans combine Part A and B benefits with various extra services. Most Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans include:

  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Hearing
  • Wellness benefits, such as free gym memberships
  • Medical transportation (some plans)
  • Wellness over-the-counter medications (some plans).

If you have certain chronic medical conditions, such as cancer or Alzheimer’s, you may qualify for a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan that serves a specific population group. With Medicare Advantage, you continue to pay your Original Medicare premiums. In many cases, there’s no additional cost.

The company’s Medigap plans work with your Original Medicare Parts A and B. You can use this supplemental insurance to help pay for copays and deductibles. Aetna’s Part D, or prescription drug coverage, is another add-on plan for seniors with Original Medicare, specifically designed to help pay for prescription medication.

Aetna Medicare Plan Options

Aetna offers a wide selection of HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage Plans. Coverage options vary by county, but if you live in a major city, you can typically choose between four to 10 plans. HMOs have lower copays and out-of-pocket expenses since most services are delivered by a network of contracted providers. You must select a primary care physician, and pre-authorizations are generally required for specialist visits. PPOs give you the freedom to visit in- or out-of-network providers, although copays and coinsurance rates are lower when you choose a preferred provider.

Aetna has various Part D and Medigap plan selections specific to your state of residence. Learn more about some of the Aetna Medicare plan options that may be available to you.

Compare some of your Aetna Medicare options before making a decision:

Plan name Monthly premium Annual deductible Office visits Annual maximum out-of-pocket cost
Aetna Medicare Premier Plus Plan (PPO) $0 $0 $0 in-network/$55 out-of-network for primary care

$35 in-network/$60 out-of-network for specialists

 $6,700 in network, $11,300 in and out of network combined
Aetna Medicare Premier Plan (PPO) $0 $0 $0 in-network/$55 out-of-network for primary care

$40 in-network/$60 out-of-network for specialists

 $7,500 in network, $11,300 in and out of network combined
Aetna Medicare Value Plus Plan (HMO) $18 $0 $0 primary care/$25 specialists $6,700

*Based on pricing in Nashville, Tennessee in 2023

Aetna Medicare Plans Reviews and Ratings

Trusted ratings and reviews can help you understand how an insurer’s plans stack up against the competition. See how Medicare, A.M. Best, the Better Business Bureau and more rate Aetna Medicare plans.

Medicare rating: 4 stars Aetna has a longstanding reputation in the insurance industry. Its Medicare plans typically receive favorable reviews, and the company has an overall quality rating of 4 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
A.M. Best financial strength rating: A A.M. Best is a credit rating agency specializing in the insurance industry. In December 2020, A.M. Best affirmed its Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) for Aetna Life Insurance Company and the other operating entities of Aetna that are wholly owned subsidiaries of CVS Health. A.M. Best also affirmed its A (Excellent) FSR rating of Texas Health Aetna, as well as Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company, which are joint ventures with subsidiaries of Aetna Inc.

An A rating indicates stability to meet ongoing obligations.
BBB rating: A+ Aetna has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Although the carrier has had more than 200 complaints in the past year, very few issues were related to its Medicare coverage or Advantage Plans.
NCQA rating: 2.5 to 4.5 stars According to the National Committee for Quality Assurance, satisfaction ratings for Medicare plans issued by all Aetna divisions range from 2.5 to 4.5 stars, with more than 40 plans receiving high-performance ratings.
Consumer Affairs rating: 4 Consumer Affairs gave Aetna a similarly high rating of 4 stars with more than 1,000 consumer reviews. Beneficiaries appreciate the carrier’s low rates, large provider network, and long-term care services for aging in place.
J.D. Power ranking: 7th out of 10 In its 2021 Medicare Advantage Study, J.D. Power measured Medicare Advantage Plan satisfaction based on coverage and benefits, provider choice, cost, customer service, information and communication, and billing and payment. Aetna scored 795 points out of 1,000 and came in seventh out of the top 10 Medicare Advantage providers.
Kelly-Blackwell Headshot
Kelly Blackwell
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

As a health care professional since 1987, Kelly Blackwell has walked alongside and cared for seniors as they journey through the season of their fourth quarter of life. Blackwell holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Science in health care administration from Grand Canyon University, an interprofessional graduate certificate in palliative care from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and holds a Certified Senior Advisor® credential from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

Blackwell contributes to the University of Colorado-Anschutz blog and has been published in “The Human Touch” distributed by the University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities. She cowrote “Dying Is” for Pathways Hospice.

A registered nurse, Blackwell understands health insurance choices influence quality of life and are driven by values, goals, and beliefs. She’s passionate about engaging with, educating, and empowering seniors as they navigate the health care system. She’s equipped to lend an experienced, compassionate voice to beneficiaries seeking information about Medicare Advantage Plans.

As a CSA®, Blackwell has access to valuable resources for Medicare beneficiaries. Her work as a bedside nurse and clinical manager has given her the opportunity to see how Medicare rules, regulations, and benefits work when patients need them. With a passion to learn and to make a difference in the lives of seniors, Blackwell supports seniors through Medicare and fourth-quarter life decisions.

Kelly-Blackwell Headshot
Kelly Blackwell
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

As a health care professional since 1987, Kelly Blackwell has walked alongside and cared for seniors as they journey through the season of their fourth quarter of life. Blackwell holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Science in health care administration from Grand Canyon University, an interprofessional graduate certificate in palliative care from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and holds a Certified Senior Advisor® credential from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

Blackwell contributes to the University of Colorado-Anschutz blog and has been published in “The Human Touch” distributed by the University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities. She cowrote “Dying Is” for Pathways Hospice.

A registered nurse, Blackwell understands health insurance choices influence quality of life and are driven by values, goals, and beliefs. She’s passionate about engaging with, educating, and empowering seniors as they navigate the health care system. She’s equipped to lend an experienced, compassionate voice to beneficiaries seeking information about Medicare Advantage Plans.

As a CSA®, Blackwell has access to valuable resources for Medicare beneficiaries. Her work as a bedside nurse and clinical manager has given her the opportunity to see how Medicare rules, regulations, and benefits work when patients need them. With a passion to learn and to make a difference in the lives of seniors, Blackwell supports seniors through Medicare and fourth-quarter life decisions.

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