The bottom line: Aetna makes well-rated $0-premium Medicare Advantage plans available to most people, with low drug costs and a variety of perks. It gets below-average customer satisfaction scores in surveys, however, and its maximum out-of-pocket costs could be lower. Jump to: Full Review
Aetna Medicare Advantage pros and cons
Pros
- Star ratings: Aetna’s weighted average star ratings are highest among companies that sell Medicare Advantage plans available in most of the country.
- $0-premium offerings: In 2026, Aetna estimates that 82% of Medicare-eligible beneficiaries have access to a $0-monthly-premium Aetna Medicare Advantage plan.
- Low drug costs: Almost all Aetna Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans have $0 coverage for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs at preferred pharmacies.
- All plans include perks: All Aetna Medicare Advantage plans come with SilverSneakers fitness memberships and some coverage for dental, vision and hearing.
Cons
- Member love is mediocre: Aetna customer satisfaction numbers landed below the regional industry average in most of the Medicare markets where it has significant market share in J.D. Power’s latest survey
- Higher cost limits: Aetna’s average maximum out-of-pocket costs is on the high side among its main competitors.
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Compare against other providers
🔍 UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Advantage plans
Our full review
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Aetna Medicare Advantage star rating
Average star rating, weighted by enrollment: 4.19
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans are rated above the industry average, receiving an average rating of 4.19 stars out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2026, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted star rating for all plans is 3.98.
Of Aetna members who are in plans with a Medicare star rating, 82% are in plans rated 4 stars or above for the 2026 plan year.
CMS maintains its own database of star ratings, which rank each plan from best (5 stars) to worst (1 star). The agency bases these ratings on plans’ quality of care and measurements of customer satisfaction, and ratings may change from year to year.
All Medicare Advantage plans are evaluated on health plan measures, and Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage are also evaluated on drug plan measures.
You can find a plan’s rating with Medicare's plan finding tool.
How much does Aetna Medicare Advantage cost?
About 6 in 10 Aetna plans in 2026 have no premium, and the company estimates that 82% of Medicare-eligible beneficiaries have access to a $0-monthly-premium plan. You'll still be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B premium, which is $185 per month in 2025.
Most people pay this standard Part B amount, but if your income is above a certain threshold, you'll pay the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). Some Medicare Advantage plans cover part or all of your Part B premium.
Requirements for copays, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on your plan, location and the services you use. Other out-of-pocket costs to consider include:
Whether the plan covers any part of your monthly Medicare Part B premium.
The plan’s yearly deductibles and any other deductibles, such as a drug deductible.
Copayments and/or coinsurance for each visit or service. For instance, there may be a $10 copay for seeing your primary doctor and a $45 copay for seeing a specialist.
The plan’s in-network and out-of-network out-of-pocket maximums.
Whether your medical providers are in-network or out-of-network, or how often you may go out-of-network for care.
Whether you require extra benefits, and whether the plan charges for them.
Here are examples of Aetna Medicare Advantage costs for three plans in a mid-range city:
Aetna Medicare Advantage plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $6,750 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: Preventive care only. |
Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO-POS) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $4,200 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $1,500. |
Aetna Medicare Signature Extra (HMO-POS) | Monthly premium: $0. Deductible: None. Out-of-pocket max: $5,200 in-network. Copays:
Dental allowance: $2,500. |
Selected plans are available in ZIP code 66013. *Inpatient hospital copay is per day for days 1-6. | |
To get a sense of costs, use Medicare’s plan finding tool to compare information among available plans in your area. You can select by insurance carrier to see only Aetna plans or compare across carriers.
What additional benefits does Aetna Medicare offer?
Aetna Medicare Advantage offers all members access to routine vision, dental and hearing coverage, and many of its plans offer added benefits. Here are a few standouts:
Medicare Extra Benefits Card: On some plans, members get an allowance to pay for over-the-counter products or certain qualifying expenses.
Expanded $0 copays: Some Aetna plans offer a $0 copay for labs and for visits to your primary care physician. Annual physicals, colonoscopies, mammograms and routine eye and hearing exams are also offered with $0 copays.
Home safety visits: All Aetna Medicare Advantage plans offer an annual visit from a clinician for a comprehensive health assessment and evaluation of their home for fall risks and social support needs.
Concierge services for local resources: Aetna’s Resources for Living program can help certain SNP beneficiaries find the support they need, whether that’s assistance at home, caregiver resources or help finding local activities.
Aetna Medicare Advantage plan types
Aetna offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans without drug coverage. The company offers a Medicare Advantage plan for veterans — Aetna Medicare Eagle — in 42 states and Washington D.C. The plan is designed to complement the health care coverage veterans receive from the VA.
Plan availability may vary by county. Other plan offerings may include the following types:
- HMO plans
A health maintenance organization (HMO) generally requires that you use a specific network of doctors and hospitals. You may need a referral from your primary doctor to see a specialist, and out-of-network benefits are usually limited.
- HMO-POS plans
HMO point-of-service plans give you a bit more flexibility than traditional HMO plans. While you do have a primary doctor and you may still need a referral, you have more freedom to see out-of-network providers, although you’ll pay more for out-of-network care.
- PPO plans
Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans provide the most freedom, allowing you to see any provider that accepts the insurance. You may not need to choose a primary doctor, and you don’t need referrals to see specialists. You can seek out-of-network care, although it may cost more than seeing an in-network doctor.
- SNPs
Special needs plans (SNPs) restrict membership to people with certain diseases or characteristics. The benefits, network and drug formularies are tailored to the needs of those members. Aetna offers three types of SNPs:
Chronic Condition SNP: Designed to meet the needs of members living with certain chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes or chronic heart failure.
Dual-Eligible SNP: For people who are entitled to Medicare and who also qualify for assistance from a state Medicaid program.
Institutional plans: Provide specialized care to members who live in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities and need an institutional level of care.
Third-party ratings of Aetna
AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A (Excellent)
AM Best is a credit rating agency that specializes in the insurance industry. In May 2025, AM Best affirmed its Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) for Aetna Life Insurance Co. and the other operating entities of Aetna that are wholly owned subsidiaries of CVS Health .
An A rating in this category indicates that AM Best believes Aetna has an excellent ability to meet its ongoing insurance obligations.
J.D. Power Ranking
J.D. Power releases an annual study measuring member satisfaction with Medicare Advantage plans. It uses eight factors, such as level of trust, ability to get health services, ease of doing business and resolving problems or complaints.
Here’s how Aetna ranked among major providers in the markets surveyed where it has enough market share to appear on the survey:
Florida: 6th out of 6.
Georgia: 3rd out of 4.
Illinois: 4th out of 5.
New York: 5th out of 6.
North Carolina: 3rd out of 4.
Ohio: 2nd out of 4.
Pennsylvania: 4th out of 7.
Texas: 4th out of 6.
NCQA Score Range: 2.5 to 4.5 out of 5
The National Committee for Quality Assurance rates health insurance plans on a 5-point scale (with 5 being best) based on quality of care, patient satisfaction and health plans’ efforts to keep improving.
Aetna received NCQA ratings between 2.5 and 4.5 stars in September 2025. Most of the company’s plans scored 4 stars.
Aetna’s best-rated plan was Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company in Minnesota with 4.5 stars. Its lowest-rated plan was Aetna Better Health in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi with 2.5 stars.
More Nerdy Perspective
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans score above the industry average overall, and most Medicare members can get them with $0 premiums. But customer satisfaction scores from surveys aren’t the best, and competitors have lower caps on your out-of-pocket costs.
When comparing options, be sure to check whether your doctors and hospitals are in-network. It’s a good idea to confirm that there’s good coverage for your prescription drugs and your pharmacy, too.
Aetna Medicare Advantage service area
Aetna offers Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans in 43 states and Washington, D.C.
Aetna is the third-largest for-profit Medicare Advantage provider, with more than 4.1 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Aetna Medicare Advantage plans. The company added 116,000 members for the 2025 plan year, according to a report from health care analytics firm Chartis.
About Aetna
Founded in 1853, Aetna became a subsidiary of CVS Health Corp. in 2018. The company’s headquarters are in Hartford, Connecticut.
Aetna’s health insurance offerings include medical, dental and pharmacy plans. Aetna offers individual and group health insurance, including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other Aetna Medicare offerings:
Aetna Medicare Advantage customer service
Aetna Medicare Advantage members can contact customer service in a few ways:
Call the main national service number, which is available daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, at 844-979-3435 (TTY: 711).
Find the specific phone number for your plan.
What’s the difference between Medicare and Aetna Medicare Advantage?
Original Medicare is health insurance provided by the federal government — specifically, Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Advantage is a bundled alternative to Original Medicare, provided by private insurance companies like Aetna, that includes Medicare Part A, Part B and usually Medicare Part D.
Because Medicare Advantage is provided by private insurers, you typically must get medical care from providers within that insurer’s network.
Does Aetna Medicare Advantage have OTC benefits?
Some Aetna Medicare Advantage plans include an over-the-counter benefit that gives members a certain amount of money throughout the year to spend on over-the-counter health and wellness products. OTC benefits may vary by plan, and not all plans include them.
Compare Medicare Advantage companies
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Advantage providers. These insurers offer plans in most states. The plans you can choose from will depend on your ZIP code and county.
Find the right Medicare Advantage plan
It’s important to do your research before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan for yourself. Here are some questions to consider asking:
What are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred medical provider or providers, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, it’s crucial to understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
Are there extras? Does the plan offer any extra benefits, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
- Nearly 8 in 10 Aetna plans are rated 4 stars or higher.
- Available in 44 states and Washington, D.C.
- Some plans offer MinuteClinic access for low copays.
- Customer satisfaction lands below the regional average in some major Medicare markets.
- Reduced benefits and plans are no longer available in two states.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2026 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY 2026 Landscape (202509). Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 3.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 4.AM Best. AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of CVS Health Corporation’s Aetna Inc. Subsidiaries. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 5.J.D. Power. Medicare Advantage Plan Member Satisfaction Facing Headwinds; Digital Innovation an Emerging New Solution, J.D. Power Finds. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 6.NCQA. Health Plans. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
- 7.Chartis. Medicare Advantage market growth slows amid intensified headwinds. Accessed Oct 10, 2025.
Medicare Advantage review methodology
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies; in many places, one insurer serves more than half of the market. NerdWallet reviewed 26 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurers having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.) At the national level, these reviews include nine of the 10 largest brands by enrollment. At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in 47 of the 49 states that offer Medicare Advantage plans, and includes the top two insurers in 35 of those states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as pricing, plan availability by state, plan types available, consumer experience, extra benefits offered and more. These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.
Compare Medicare Advantage plans
Insurance company | CMS star rating | States available | Members in high-rated plans | Member experience | Learn more | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.10 | 4.10/5 | 48 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.76 (Above average) | (855) 821-0556 / TTY 711 Call UnitedHealthcarefrom UnitedHealthcare | |
3.61 | 3.61/5 | 46 states and Washington, D.C. | Low (49% or less) | 3.61 (Above average) | from Humana | |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet | 4.19 | 4.19/5 | 43 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.88 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.org on NerdWallet |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.68 | 3.68/5 | 29 states and Washington, D.C. | Medium (50% to 84%) | 3.89 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |