Aetna Medicare Supplement Insurance Review
Aetna provides seven standardized Medigap plans, including popular options like Plan G (usually $150-$250 monthly) and Plan N (usually $120-$220 monthly). It also offers a 7% household discount for eligible applicants.
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%.
Aetna’s Medigap pricing varies widely by state and plan. Plan G and Plan F often have the highest premiums, while Plan N has more competitive rates.
In some states, Aetna offers the lowest price, but in many cases, competitors like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Mutual of Omaha provide better rates.
In this review, we will show you how Aetna compares to other top providers and where you can get the best value for your Medigap coverage.
Let’s jump right in with an overview of Aetna.
- 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 for Medigap coverage if it fits your price range.
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.
Let’s look at the most popular plans offered by Aetna.
#1. Medigap Plan F – Most Comprehensive
Medicare Supplement Plan F is still an option if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but haven’t enrolled yet.
Plan F 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 ($257 in 2025)
- 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
#2. Medigap Plan G – Most Popular
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 ($257 in 2025).
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 ($2,870 in 2025) out of pocket before the plan starts covering benefits.
#3. Medigap Plan N – Lower Premiums With Cost-Sharing
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 solid coverage 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 Do Aetna Prices Compare to Other Top Companies?
Historically, Aetna has been known for offering some of the more affordable Medigap premiums in the market.
However, based on our findings below, Aetna seems more expensive now than competitors like Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Cigna, Mutual of Omaha, and Allstate.
It’s important to remember that Medigap benefits for Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N are standardized across all companies. This means that the core benefits remain the same no matter which provider you choose.
The difference ultimately comes down to which company offers the lowest premium and any additional perks they may provide, such as dental, vision, or hearing benefits.
Below, we break down how Aetna compares in different states across Plan G, Plan N, and Plan F.
Aetna Plan G Comparison
| State | Aetna | BCBS | Cigna | Mutual of Omaha | Higher/Lower Than Aetna? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (75201) | $220 | $157 | $155 | $159 | BCBS (-$63), Cigna (-$65), Mutual of Omaha (-$61) – Aetna is the highest |
| Florida (32003) | $258 | $234 | $190 | $227 | BCBS (-$24), Cigna (-$68), Mutual of Omaha (-$31) – Aetna is the highest |
| Oklahoma (73020) | $195 | $165 | $162 | $206 | BCBS (-$30), Cigna (-$33), Mutual of Omaha (+$11) – Aetna is the second-highest |
| Illinois (60641) | $240 | $203 | $158 | $162 | BCBS (-$37), Cigna (-$82), Mutual of Omaha (-$78) – Aetna is the highest |
Aetna Plan N Comparison
| State | Aetna | Allstate | Aflac | Mutual of Omaha | Higher/Lower Than Aetna? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama (36695) | $112 | $110 | $115 | $111 | Allstate (-$2), Aflac (+$3), Mutual of Omaha (-$1) – Aetna is the second-highest |
| North Carolina (27006) | $96 | $100 | $106 | $104 | Allstate (+$4), Aflac (+$10), Mutual of Omaha (+$8) – Aetna is the lowest |
| Missouri (63099) | $200 | $222 | $185 | $159 | Allstate (+$22), Aflac (-$15), Mutual of Omaha (-$41) – Aetna is the second-highest |
| Arizona (85003) | $151 | $131 | $135 | $157 | Allstate (-$20), Aflac (-$16), Mutual of Omaha (+$6) – Aetna is the second-highest |
Aetna Plan F Comparison
| State | Aetna | Mutual of Omaha | Cigna | Allstate | Higher/Lower Than Aetna? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey (08511) | $302 | $247 | $224 | $226 | Mutual of Omaha (-$55), Cigna (-$78), Allstate (-$76) – Aetna is the highest |
| Virginia (22193) | $210 | $225 | $245 | $157 | Mutual of Omaha (+$15), Cigna (+$35), Allstate (-$53) – Aetna is second-lowest |
| Pennsylvania (15001) | $230 | $226 | $184 | $172 | Mutual of Omaha (-$4), Cigna (-$46), Allstate (-$58) – Aetna is the highest |
| Iowa (52722) | $210 | $168 | $174 | $168 | Mutual of Omaha (-$42), Cigna (-$36), Allstate (-$42) – Aetna is the highest |
It’s important to know that the actual premium amounts will vary depending on factors like age, gender, tobacco usage, location, and applicable household discounts.
Final Thoughts: Is Aetna the Best Choice?
Historically, we used to see Aetna as very competitive.
However, in today’s markets, Aetna’s premiums are much higher than those of its competitors, making it less attractive.
While there are a few states where Aetna remains competitive (such as Oklahoma for Plan G and Missouri for Plan N), most comparisons show that other companies offer lower premiums.
Since Medigap plans are standardized, the best plan is the lowest premium with a reputable company.
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In a nutshell:
While Aetna offers lower premiums of up to 6% in some states, it’s evident that in most states, Aetna’s premiums can be significantly higher compared to its competitors.
Company Comparisons: What Perks Do They Offer?
Here’s a breakdown of some possible deal-breaker perks offered by each company we’ve been comparing.
Aetna is a strong company with long experience in the Medicare market, but currently not very competitive in pricing. They offer:
- A standalone prescription drug plan
- A hearing, dental, and vision plan (for an additional premium)
- Household discounts (7%)
Mutual of Omaha offers Medigap plans in most states. They have great customer service feedback and also:
- Household discounts (7%-12%)
- A separate dental, vision, and hearing plan (for an additional premium)
Cigna offers guaranteed renewable plans F,G,A, and N in most states. Their benefits include:
- Household discounts (up to 25%)
- Additional dental, vision, and hearing coverage (as low as $32 monthly)
- A Healthy Rewards program
- A user-friendly online portal
Allstate recently entered the Medicare market and offers some great extra perks including:
- Household discounts (up to 25%)
- Additional dental, vision, and hearing plans
- Access to the Active&Fit fitness program
- A 30-day trial period
Most companies offer similar perks, but the fundamental deciding factors are price and extra benefits. At this time, other companies are more competitive than Aetna.
That could change in the future, and Aetna may become more competitive again, but they are not the best-priced option at this time.
Therefore, choosing a Medigap plan should primarily focus on finding the lowest premium from a reputable company while considering any extra benefits that might be valuable to you.
Does Aetna Offer 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 Separate Dental and Vision Policies?
Aetna provides a Dental Direct Plus plan and an optional add-on, the Aetna Vision Preferred plan, in all states except California, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Utah.
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.
Premiums start at $25.05 per month. The annual benefit maximum is $1,250 per person, with a deductible of $50 per person or $150 per family.
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
- Low premiums ranging from $10 – $18 monthly
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 sometimes offers reasonably priced premiums (in certain areas), a range of plan options, and relatively low rate increases.
However, there may be more suitable options, so we recommend also checking out other leading providers, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mutual of Omaha, Cigna, and Allstate.
The right insurance company for you is the one that’s available where you live, offers the coverage you need, and fits your budget with reasonable premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
If you are in the market for a Medicare Supplement plan – we’re happy to help you identify available plans in your area.
Sources: Aetna Medicare Supplement Plans | Medigap Enrollment | Medigap Plan Cost
FAQs
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