Aetna Medicare Supplement Insurance Review
We’ve done some digging and reviewed Aetna’s Medicare Supplement plans – which revealed lower premiums of up to 6% in some states, a 7% household discount for eligible applicants, and policies that are guaranteed renewable.
Aetna provides seven standardized Medigap plans, including popular options like Plan G ($120-$250 monthly) and Plan N ($87-$140 monthly). Aetna also offers standalone dental and vision policies in select states, including benefits like a dental discount card (up to 50% off certain services) and free vision exams as needed.
Aetna’s annual rate increases for their Medicare Supplement plans have generally remained within the range of 3%-10%.
Despite needing improvement in some customer service aspects, Aetna’s financial strength guarantees reliability for policyholders.
- Variety of Medigap plan options
- Up to 7% household discount
- No network restrictions – see any doctor who accepts Medicare
- Policies are guaranteed renewable
- Dental and vision coverage
- Not available in Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, or the District of Columbia
- Higher complaint rates than competitors
- Online price quotes and applications are unavailable in certain states (must be done via phone)
With its reputable standing in the healthcare industry and an array of plan options, Aetna is an excellent option to consider when looking for Medigap coverage.
Which Medigap Plans Does Aetna Offer?
Aetna, a subsidiary of CVS Health, offers Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, and N.
Plans A and B provide essential benefits, while Plans G and N offer more comprehensive coverage for Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible on or after January 1, 2020, following the phase-out of Plans C and F.
Plan F
Medicare Supplement Plan F is an option if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but haven’t enrolled yet. It covers:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance and costs incurred after your Original Medicare hospital inpatient benefits have run out, up to 365 days
- Part B coinsurance or copays
- Cost of the first three pints of blood should a provider need to purchase blood for you
- Coinsurance or copay for hospice care
- Coinsurance charged by a skilled nursing facility
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible ($226 in 2023)
- Part B excess charges billed by providers (if excess charges are allowable in your state)
- 80% of covered emergency healthcare charges while traveling with Medicare
Plan G
Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most popular and offers the same coverage as Plan F, except it doesn’t cover the Medicare Part B deductible.
If you like Plan G’s features but find the monthly premium too high for your budget, Aetna offers a high-deductible version in some states. With this option, you pay a high deductible ($2,700 in 2023) out of pocket before the plan starts covering benefits.
Plan N
Medigap Plan N is a budget-friendly option that does not cover the Part B deductible or Part B excess charges. With Plan N, you have copays for doctor ($20) and emergency room ($50) visits, but the copays are waived if you require a hospital stay after an ER visit. This plan offers broad benefits but is less expensive than Plan F and Plan G.
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Aetna's guarantee:
All Aetna Medigap policies are guaranteed renewable – this means that as long as the policyholder keeps paying their premiums on time and in full, Aetna cannot cancel their policy. This guarantee remains effective even if the policyholder develops health conditions or illnesses over time.
How Much Is a Medigap Plan With Aetna?
We’ve researched premium costs for the most popular Medigap plans from Aetna and its competitors in different states for your review:
Aetna Plan G Comparison
| State | Zip Code | Aetna | BCBS | Cigna | Mutual of Omaha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 78660 | $128 | $132 | $128 | $114 |
| Florida | 34953 | $211 | $197 | $213 | $192 |
| Oklahoma | 73020 | $122 | $117 | $135 | $130 |
| Illinois | 60641 | $144 | $136 | $133 | $128 |
| Sample quotes are for a 65 y/o nonsmoking female. | |||||
Aetna Plan N Comparison
| State | Zip Code | Aetna | Allstate | Aflac | Mutual of Omaha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 36695 | $93 | $100 | $97 | $99 |
| North Carolina | 27006 | $87 | $87 | $91 | $93 |
| Missouri | 63099 | $189 | $185 | $150 | $159 |
| Arizona | 85003 | $110 | $105 | $110 | $112 |
| Sample quotes are for a 65 y/o nonsmoking male. | |||||
Aetna Plan F Comparison
| State | Zip Code | Aetna | Mutual of Omaha | Cigna | Allstate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 08511 | $198 | $174 | $183 | $162 |
| Virginia | 22193 | $167 | $175 | $167 | $132 |
| Pennsylvania | 15001 | $183 | $176 | $192 | $136 |
| Iowa | 52722 | $129 | $130 | $193 | $119 |
| Sample quotes are for a 65 y/o nonsmoking female. | |||||
Important to note: Aetna charges a one-time policy fee for most new enrollees in most states, typically around $20.
According to our research, the average monthly premiums for Aetna’s Medigap plans are as follows:
The actual premium amount will vary depending on factors like age, gender, tobacco usage, location, and applicable household discounts.
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In a nutshell:
While Aetna offers lower premiums of up to 6% in some states, it’s evident that in several states, Aetna’s premiums can be significantly higher compared to its competitors.
Does Aetna Give Discounts?
Aetna provides a 7% household discount for eligible Medigap applicants if their spouse, civil union partner, or another adult with whom they have lived for at least 12 months also enrolls in or already has an Aetna Medigap plan.
The availability of discounts may vary depending on factors such as your location, household status, and the application method you choose for a policy.
Does Aetna Offer Additional Policies?
In certain states, Aetna provides a Dental Direct Plus plan and an optional add-on, the Aetna Vision Preferred plan.
Aetna Dental Direct Plus
Aetna Dental Direct Plus is a comprehensive plan that covers 100% of all in-network preventive care, ensuring you won’t have any out-of-pocket expenses. This plan is available for purchase regardless of whether you have any Aetna medical or other coverage.
Aetna also offers an optional dental discount card starting at $7.99 monthly. With this card, you can access a vast network of over 270,000 dental practices nationwide and discounts ranging from 15% to 50% on most services.
Aetna Vision Preferred
The Aetna Dental Direct plan now offers an add-on option for a Vision Preferred plan. However, please note that this bundle is unavailable in IL, KS, MA, MO, NY, VA, and WA.
The Vision Preferred plan offers a range of benefits, including:
- Free in-network exam as needed
- Up to 40% off additional pairs of prescription glasses
- 20% discount on non-prescription sunglasses
- Up to 15% off the retail price for LASIK laser surgery or photorefractive keratectomy
- Discounts on hearing exams and aids
Will Aetna's Medigap Rates Increase?
Over the past five years, Aetna’s annual rate increases for their Medicare Supplement plans have generally stayed within the range of 3%-10%.
These rate increases vary by state and are influenced by factors such as changes in Medicare deductibles and copayments, modifications in state laws, and adjustments to account for inflation.
Rate increase percentages may also vary depending on the specific type of Medigap plan.
Aetna's Reviews and Ratings
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index, Aetna falls short in customer satisfaction. The company scored 2.77, indicating worse complaint performance than the industry average of 1.00. A higher score = more complaints submitted.
Common reasons for complaints include unsatisfactory claim handling, such as delays and copay issues, as well as subpar customer service and billing problems.
Despite the NAIC concerns, Aetna maintains a solid financial standing in the industry. Aetna holds an A (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best, indicating its ability to meet insurance obligations, such as paying claims.
Aetna also has an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which shows they’re dedicated to addressing customer concerns – although there’s still room for improvement.
When Can I Enroll in a Medigap Plan With Aetna?
Enrolling in Aetna Medicare Supplement plans during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period is best. This six-month window begins on the first day of the month you turn 65.
Before purchasing any Medicare Supplement insurance plan, enrollees must have Part B Medicare benefits.
You can still apply after the Open Enrollment Period, but Aetna may require medical underwriting and can adjust your premiums or deny coverage based on your health.
Bottom Line
While the policyholder’s complaints about Aetna can be concerning, it should be noted that the company is still a trusted Medigap provider in the healthcare world. Aetna offers reasonably priced premiums, a range of plan options, and relatively low rate increases.
We suggest considering Aetna if you are in the market for a Medicare Supplement plan, and we’re happy to help identify available plans in your area.
Sources: Aetna Medicare Supplement Plans | Medigap Enrollment | Medigap Plan Cost
