Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans Reviewed

Aetna, a subsidiary of CVS Health, is one of the largest Medicare Advantage insurers in the country. They offer HMO, PPO, and Special Needs Plans across most states. Their weighted average star rating is 4.19 out of 5, with 81% of members enrolled in plans rated 4 stars or higher.

Plan Types Aetna Offers

Aetna Medicare Advantage plans include HMO plans (in-network only, may require referrals), PPO plans (in- and out-of-network, no referrals), HMO-POS plans (mostly in-network with some out-of-network flexibility), and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) for people on both Medicare and Medicaid. Most Aetna MA plans include Part D prescription drug coverage.

Extra Benefits

Many Aetna plans include dental coverage (preventive and in some cases comprehensive), vision benefits (routine exams and eyewear allowances), hearing benefits (exams and hearing aid coverage), SilverSneakers or similar fitness programs, over-the-counter health product allowances, and telehealth visits at $0 copay for primary care starting in 2026.

The CVS Advantage

Since CVS Health owns Aetna, there's integration between Aetna MA plans and CVS pharmacies and MinuteClinic locations. Some plans offer $0 copays for preferred generic drugs at CVS pharmacies and reduced costs at MinuteClinic walk-in locations. If you already use CVS for prescriptions, an Aetna plan may offer savings.

Things to Check Before Enrolling

Confirm your doctors are in the Aetna network for the specific plan you're considering (networks vary by plan). Check the formulary for your medications. Look at the plan's star rating on Medicare.gov for your county. Compare the out-of-pocket maximum and copay structure to other plans in your area. Aetna's availability and plan options differ by ZIP code, so what's offered in one county may not be available in the next.