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 ($91-$200 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.

Our Review:
Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • 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)
Should You Consider Aetna?

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 still 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 and 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 ($240 in 2024)
  • 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 ($2,800 in 2024) 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.

  • 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

StateZip CodeAetnaBCBSCignaMutual
of Omaha
Texas78660$147$142$127$128
Florida34953$240$214$241$192
Oklahoma73020$141$129$145$149
Illinois60641$167$147$137$144
Sample quotes are for a 65 y/o nonsmoking female.

Aetna Plan N Comparison

StateZip CodeAetnaAllstateAflacMutual
of Omaha
Alabama36695$93$110$103$111
North Carolina27006$96$91$91$104
Missouri63099$200$222$158$159
Arizona85003$121$104$118$126
Sample quotes are for a 65 y/o nonsmoking male.

Aetna Plan F Comparison

StateZip CodeAetnaMutual
of Omaha
CignaAllstate
New Jersey08511$228$186$183$173
Virginia22193$182$196$192$139
Pennsylvania15001$200$197$147$136
Iowa52722$153$146$151$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:

  • Plan G ranges from $120 to $250
  • Plan N ranges from $91 to $200
  • Plan F ranges from $136 to $225

The actual premium amount will vary depending on factors like age, gender, tobacco usage, location, and applicable household discounts.

  • 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

Mark Prip

Since 2003, Mark Prip has been leading  Policy Guide, Inc., providing knowledgeable information about Medicare, life insurance, and dental coverage to clients in over forty states. With his unparalleled hands-on experience aiding countless Medicare beneficiaries in selecting an appropriate health plan, he is a prime example amongst other competitors for expertise and assistance. Mark has held his Florida Health & Life Insurance License (E051889) since 2003. View his license profile on the Florida Department of Insurance website.