The bottom line: Aetna’s only Medicare Part D plan, SilverScript Choice, doesn’t offer the lowest prices. The company’s 2026 government quality ratings are average, but it falls behind all of its major competitors when it comes to member satisfaction. Jump to: Full Review
Aetna Medicare Part D pros and cons
Pros
- Simplified pharmacy network: The SilverScript Choice plan has the same out-of-pocket costs at all in-network pharmacies, unlike some competitors that split their networks between preferred pharmacies and more expensive non-preferred pharmacies.
Cons
- Single plan choice: Aetna offers only one stand-alone Part D plan in 2026: SilverScript Choice.
- No $0 deductibles: The SilverScript Choice plan doesn’t have any $0-deductible formulary tiers.
- Low member satisfaction: Aetna’s member experience rating is 1.5, placing the company below all of its major competitors.
Compare against other providers
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Part D plans
Compare against other providers
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Part D plans
Our full review
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NerdWallet star rating for Aetna Medicare Part D
Aetna’s prescription drug plans earned 3 out of 5 stars from NerdWallet. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account premiums, out-of-pocket costs, government quality ratings, customer complaints and more.
Why NerdWallet star ratings differ from CMS star ratings
NerdWallet star ratings go beyond Medicare star ratings developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Our data-driven, consumer-first scoring rubric factors in cost and customer complaints in addition to government quality data. This makes NerdWallet star ratings a more practical tool for seniors looking to find the best overall value.
Government quality ratings for Aetna Medicare Part D
Average CMS star rating, weighted by enrollment: 3 stars
Aetna prescription drug plans are rated at the industry average, receiving an average rating of 3 out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2026, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted CMS star rating for all plans is 3.04 stars.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains its own database of star ratings. Medicare Part D plans are rated on 12 quality measures. (You can find definitions for each of these factors in the CMS Star Ratings Technical Notes.)
These ratings use a 5-point scale where 5 is the best and 1 is the worst. The agency bases its ratings on drug plans’ quality of service and customer experiences, and ratings are updated annually.
You can find a plan’s rating with Medicare's plan finding tool.
Aetna SilverScript Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
There’s just one Aetna Medicare Part D plan available for 2026: Aetna SilverScript Choice.
Medicare beneficiaries with Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) can purchase a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies. The costs and coverage can vary significantly, so it’s important to compare options.
Aetna Medicare Part D plans cover nearly 3.9 million Medicare beneficiaries as of April 2026, making Aetna the second-largest Medicare Part D company.
What happened to Aetna SilverScript SmartSaver?
Aetna combined the SilverScript SmartSaver plan with its SilverScript Choice plan in 2025. Members who had SilverScript SmartSaver were moved into the SilverScript Choice plan for 2025 unless they acted to change their plan by Dec. 7, 2024.
More Nerdy Perspective
Is Aetna SilverScript Choice a good prescription plan?
Aetna only offers one plan option — the SilverScript Choice plan — and it isn’t very competitive in 2026. It charges higher premiums than many other plans and doesn’t have any $0-deductible drug tiers. And while Aetna’s overall government quality ratings have improved since 2025, its member experience rating has gone down. That said, it’s important to know if and how a plan covers your prescription drugs before making a decision. Check for your medications on the plan’s formulary, and make sure you can afford any out-of-pocket costs before enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan.
Aetna only offers one plan option — the SilverScript Choice plan — and it isn’t very competitive in 2026. It charges higher premiums than many other plans and doesn’t have any $0-deductible drug tiers. And while Aetna’s overall government quality ratings have improved since 2025, its member experience rating has gone down. That said, it’s important to know if and how a plan covers your prescription drugs before making a decision. Check for your medications on the plan’s formulary, and make sure you can afford any out-of-pocket costs before enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan.
Elizabeth Aldrichlead writer covering MedicareHow much does Aetna Medicare Part D cost?
None of Aetna’s Part D plans have a $0 premium.
Monthly premiums for Aetna SilverScript Choice plans range from $14.70 to $116. The average Aetna Part D premium is $70.56, weighted by enrollment, according to NerdWallet analysis of 2026 CMS data.
Aetna Medicare Part D premiums and deductibles
Here are the 2026 premiums and deductibles for Aetna's SilverScript Medicare Part D prescription drug plan:
Plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
SilverScript Choice | Monthly premiums:
Annual deductible: $615. |
» If you have concerns about affording Medicare Part D, look into Medicare Extra Help.
Out-of-pocket costs
What you pay for deductibles and copays can vary depending on where your medication falls on the plan’s formulary. A formulary is the plan's list of covered drugs, organized by tiers. Having $0-deductible and $0-copay options can help you minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
Aetna’s SilverScript Choice plan doesn’t offer many of these $0 options in 2026. Here's what you might pay for prescription drugs at some common price points:
Deductible
$615 on all tiers.
Average out-of-pocket cost*
$0.48 for Tier 1 (preferred generics).
$7.70 for Tier 2 (generics).
$36.48 for Tier 3 (preferred brands).
*After deductible is met, based on a $15 retail price for Tier 1, $50 for Tier 2 and $200 for Tier 3.
Cost-sharing requirements for higher tiers can quickly get more expensive. As a result, it’s important to check where your medications and pharmacies fall on each plan’s formulary.
Coinsurance vs. copay requirements
You’ll want to check whether you’ll pay a copay or coinsurance for your medications. Copays are set dollar amounts, so it’s easy to see what you’ll pay. Coinsurance is a percentage of the price for your medications, so coinsurance requirements can be more unpredictable and more expensive.
The Aetna SilverScript Choice plan has copays for Tiers 1-2 and coinsurance for Tiers 3-5 in 2026.
You can enter your medications and pharmacy information on Aetna’s website to see which drugs are covered and review your estimated costs with different plan options.
» MORE: How much does Medicare Part D cost?
Aetna Medicare Part D service area
The Aetna SilverScript Choice Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is available in 49 states and Washington, D.C.. It's no longer available in Oklahoma in 2026.
About Aetna
Founded in 1853, Aetna became a subsidiary of CVS Health Corp. in 2018. The company’s headquarters are in Hartford, Connecticut.
Aetna’s health insurance offerings include medical, dental and pharmacy plans. Aetna offers individual and group health insurance, including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Are SilverScript and Aetna the same company?
SilverScript is the brand name for Aetna’s Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. SilverScript and Aetna are both owned by CVS Health Corporation.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other Aetna Medicare offerings:
Compare Medicare Part D companies
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Part D companies. These insurers offer plans in most states, but specifics may vary depending on your location.
Find the right Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
The interactive tool on Medicare.gov can help you find a Medicare Part D plan that covers your prescriptions. It also helps you compare costs among Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans available to you.
Here are some things to keep in mind when comparing plans:
Check the formulary: Make sure the medicines you currently take are covered. Talk to your health care providers about what medications to look for. You might also also want to check for possible alternatives and/or drugs you think you might need in the future.
Look for plan changes: Formularies (lists of covered drugs) change frequently. Your insurer should send you a Notice of Plan Change when the formulary changes. Read that document carefully.
Check the pharmacy network: Most Medicare Part D plans have networks of lower-cost pharmacies. Check to see if the plan's pharmacies are convenient for you. Also, compare prices for using mail order.
You can switch plans during Medicare's open enrollment period, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Changes go into effect on the following Jan. 1.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
- Simplified pharmacy network with uniform out-of-pocket costs.
- Just one plan choice.
- No $0-deductible options.
- Below-average ratings for member satisfaction.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.NerdWallet analysis of CMS Data. 2026 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
- 2.Aetna. Aetna Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
- 3.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. PDP Plan Directory. Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
- 4.Aetna. Annual Notice of Changes for 2025. Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
- 5.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2026 Landscape (202603). Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
- 6.Aetna. 2026 Summary of Benefits. Accessed Apr 21, 2026.
Medicare Part D plan review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Part D reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), pricing, cost-sharing requirements, formulary design, consumer experience and more.
NerdWallet's editorial team reviewed five Medicare Part D insurance companies based on highest enrollment and greatest online search volume. Together, these five companies cover about 89% of Medicare beneficiaries with stand-alone Medicare Part D plans, according to CMS data. We review at least four major Medicare Part D companies in every state in the United States.
These reviews are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.
Compare Medicare Part D Plans
Insurance company | CMS star rating | Out-of-pocket costs | Member experience | Learn more | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST FOR LOW PREMIUMS | |||||
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.50 | 3.50/5 | Varies | 3.5 (Above average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
BEST FOR LOW OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS | |||||
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.00 | 3.00/5 | Lower than average | 3 (Average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.00 | 3.00/5 | Higher than average | 1.5 (Below average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on http://askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
BEST FOR GENERIC DRUGS | |||||
(855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 2.50 | 2.50/5 | Average | 2 (Below average) | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |