Aetna Medicare Advantage Review (2026): Cost, Pros & Cons

In my analysis, Aetna works best for members who prioritize plan quality over service responsiveness. Its HMO and PPO plans earn above-average CMS scores on preventive care delivery and chronic disease management. Members in those plan types are more likely to receive recommended care before conditions worsen. If you expect to rely on customer support frequently, you will find the service experience disappointing.

CMS, the federal agency that administers Medicare, rates every Medicare Advantage plan from 1 to 5 stars based on care quality, member satisfaction and claims accuracy. Aetna averages 3.88 stars across all plan types for 2026, just above the national average of 3.81. 

Aetna's HMO plans score 4.14 against the 3.86 national average. PPO plans also clear their benchmark, at 4.05 versus 3.63 nationally. The HMO-POS line falls to 3.41, well below the 4.01 national average for this plan type. Whether you're in an above-average care environment depends entirely on which plan type your county offers.

Aetna's Medicare Advantage plans average $48 a month across all plan types in 2026. HMO plans average $7 a month. PPO plans average $88. Plan type choice drives monthly cost more than geography or which plan you select within a type.

Nearly two-thirds of Aetna plans carry no monthly premium. That doesn't mean free coverage, you still pay the standard Medicare Part B premium of $202.90 a month separately, regardless of which Aetna plan you choose. Aetna's $0-premium plans concentrate in its HMO line, where three out of four plans charge nothing beyond the Part B amount.   

The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you'd pay in a calendar year before your plan covers everything. For PPO plans, Aetna's average is $5,168, which is $1,099 below the national average. That's the lower annual cost limit, even though PPO plans cost more per month. HMO-POS plans average $5,643, or $572 above the national average.

Aetna provides three Medicare Advantage plan types to fit different health care needs and budgets. It includes:

• HMO: An HMO plan requires you to choose a primary care physician (your main doctor) who manages your care and refers you to specialists when needed. You must use providers in Aetna's HMO network for covered care, except in a genuine emergency. Enrollees receive lower monthly premiums and more consistent costs in exchange for a narrower provider network.
• HMO-POS: An HMO-POS (Health Maintenance Organization Point-of-Service) plan works like an HMO with one difference, you can seek certain services from out-of-network providers at a higher cost share. You still need a primary care physician and referrals for in-network specialists. Choose HMO-POS if you want occasional out-of-network access without the higher monthly cost of a PPO plan.
• PPO: A PPO plan lets you see any doctor or specialist without a primary care physician or referral. Out-of-network providers are covered at a higher cost share than in-network visits and you aren't restricted to a set provider list. PPOs cost the most per month. In exchange, you can see any provider without a referral or network restriction.

All Aetna Medicare Advantage plans include enhanced prescription drug coverage rather than basic Part D, the Medicare program that covers the cost of medications. Enhanced coverage means lower copays on the most commonly prescribed drugs and broader coverage of medications than a standalone Part D plan provides.

Aetna Medicare Advantage plans have added benefits that go beyond what Original Medicare provides. You’ll get extras like preventive services, fitness programs, wellness resources and easier access to nurse advice lines and care coordination services. Not all benefits are available on every plan or in every location, so be sure to read plan documents to confirm access.

• Dental, vision and hearing coverage: Many plans include routine dental cleanings, exams and X-rays at no additional cost. Vision benefits cover annual eye exams, and some plans have allowances for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Hearing benefits include annual hearing exams and coverage for hearing aids and fittings.
• SilverSneakers fitness membership: Get access to thousands of participating gyms and fitness centers nationwide at no additional cost. The program includes in-person group fitness classes, online workout sessions, the SilverSneakers GO mobile app and at-home workout kits for people who can't visit fitness locations.
• Over-the-counter allowance: Plans have a quarterly allowance for approved health and wellness products including pain relievers, cold and allergy medications, first aid supplies and dental care items.
• 24-Hour nurse line: Registered nurses are available around the clock to answer health questions, help determine appropriate care settings and provide information about symptoms and treatments. The service is available at no additional cost and doesn't replace medical advice from your doctor.
• Telehealth services: Most plans cover virtual appointments with primary care physicians and specialists at the same cost as in-person office visits. You can connect with providers via phone or video for follow-up appointments, prescription refills and mental health services.
• CVS Health product discount: You’ll get 20% off select CVS Health brand products both in-store and online.

Aetna offers Medicare Advantage plans in 43 states and Washington, D.C., with plan availability varying by location. The insurer has different combinations of HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plans by state.

Three independent organizations rate Aetna on financial strength, member satisfaction and plan quality. Their assessments let you verify Aetna's performance through sources that operate independently of our own scoring. Aetna's financial strength rating is strong and the NCQA accreditation rate is above average. Its J.D. Power satisfaction scores are below the state average in most markets it surveys.

Aetna offers multiple Medicare Advantage plan types to fit different healthcare needs and budgets. Filter by state and plan type in the table to compare HMO, HMO-POS and PPO options available in your area.

Aetna was founded in 1853 and became a subsidiary of CVS Health Corporation in 2018. CVS Caremark manages prescription drug benefits for most Aetna Medicare plans, which affects which medications are covered and at what cost. Aetna is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, and covers nearly 4.2 million Medicare Advantage members.

Aetna earns above-average CMS plan quality scores. Other major insurers perform better on customer satisfaction and in specific coverage scenarios. Compare Aetna's plans against what UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Anthem and HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) offer in your county before enrolling. Plan availability, network size and monthly costs all vary by ZIP code, so no single comparison holds across every market.

We rate the best health insurance providers based on premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, customer experience, claims denial rates and plan selection.

MoneyGeek weights health insurance provider scores as follows:

• Affordability (60%): When scoring providers on affordability, we considered monthly premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs. We weighted these factors as follows within the affordability score: monthly premiums (66.67%), deductible (16.67%), MOOP (16.67%).
• Customer Experience (30%): CMS rates Medicare Advantage plans from 1 to 5 stars annually based on care quality, member satisfaction and plan administration. Ratings are calculated based on three main categories: Medical Care, Member Experience and Plan Administration. Providers with the highest overall rating get the highest score
• Denial Rate (10%): Denial rate is the percentage of submitted claims or applications that are rejected instead of approved. Providers with the lowest denial rate get the highest score.

Data sources

Health insurance plan and provider data was updated with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) exchange data released in October 2025 for the 2026 enrollment period as well as manual collection of health plan data from state insurance marketplaces for 22 states.

Sample consumer profile

We collected data on all available health plans for consumers ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Monthly premiums are based on a 40-year-old buyer unless otherwise noted, such as the category for seniors. We analyzed plans for each cited metal tier, which include Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.