Aetna gets the best star ratings among large companies with near-nationwide availability and makes $0-premium plans available to most Medicare members, but it doesn’t have the best customer satisfaction.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a collective of 33 different companies and often scores well on customer satisfaction surveys, but star ratings and member experience scores vary among providers.
Here’s a look at how Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield compare.
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Aetna Medicare Advantage
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans with $0 premiums are widely available and get good star ratings, but customer satisfaction scores on surveys are underwhelming.
Pros
Highest weighted average star ratings among companies that sell plans nearly nationwide.
$0 premium plans available to 82% of Medicare beneficiaries.
$0 coverage for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs on most plans.
All plans include SilverSneakers and some dental, vision and hearing coverage.
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction in many markets surveyed by J.D. Power.
Maximum out-of-pocket costs are higher than most major competitors.
Other factors to consider
Provider size | 4th-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | More than 4.1 million. |
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher | 68%. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 61%. |
Plans available | HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, SNP. |
Aetna Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are widely available and often top customer satisfaction surveys, but price, plan options and quality vary depending on which individual BCBS company serves your location.
Pros
BCBS plans are available in 47 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
BCBS companies often rank highest for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power market surveys.
Cons
Ratings vary among BCBS companies, and you may not have access to a highly-rated BCBS plan.
BCBS companies offer special needs plans in only two-thirds of U.S. states.
Other factors to consider
Provider size | 3rd-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | More than 5.5 million. |
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher | 47%. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 48%. |
Plans available | HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS, SNP. |
BCBS Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of BCBS Medicare Advantage plans
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?
» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
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.