Aetna vs. Anthem: Medicare Advantage Comparison

Aetna offers Medicare Advantage plans in more states and covers nearly twice as many members as Anthem does.

May 13, 2024

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Some Aetna Medicare Advantage members have access to cost help with dental, vision and hearing care, as well as a variety of other benefits, such as in-home health visits and meal delivery after a hospital stay.

Anthem Medicare Advantage plans are available in a limited number of states but offer competitive premiums and plenty of $0-premium options.

Here’s a look at how Aetna and Anthem Medicare Advantage compare.

Aetna Medicare Advantage

Aetna

4.14

CMS Star Rating

Aetna Medicare Advantage plans are widely available and offer a variety of extra benefits. Member experience scores are also high, and star ratings land just above the industry average.

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States available

46 states and Washington, D.C.

Members in high-rated plans

Medium (50% to 89%)

Member experience

3.77 (Above average)

States available

46 states and Washington, D.C.

Members in high-rated plans

Medium (50% to 89%)

Member experience

3.77 (Above average)

Pros

In addition to dental, vision and hearing, many plans offer perks like an over-the-counter allowance, meal delivery and in-home health visits.
More than 8 in 10 Medicare-eligible beneficiaries have access to a $0-premium Aetna plan.
Available in 46 states and Washington, D.C.

Cons

Customer satisfaction lands below industry average in some major Medicare markets.

Other factors to consider

Provider size	4th-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage enrollment	More than 3.8 million.
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher	58%.
Percent of plans with $0 premium	71%.
Plans available	HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, SNP.

» MORE: Read our full review of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans

Anthem Medicare Advantage

Anthem

3.6

CMS Star Rating

Anthem's plans offer a range of benefits and flexible care, but plans are available in only 14 states and receive below-average star ratings.

(800) 215-3128

M-F 9am-9pm ET, Sa 10am-9pm ET

Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org

GET A QUOTE

from askchapter.org

States available

14 states

Members in high-rated plans

Low (49% or less)

Member experience

2.98 (Average)

States available

14 states

Members in high-rated plans

Low (49% or less)

Member experience

2.98 (Average)

Pros

Most plans cover prescription drugs and offer some coverage for dental, hearing and vision care.
Anthem's "Essential Extras" benefits let members choose extra plan benefits that meet their needs, such as $500/year toward assistive devices or $150/quarter toward household utilities.

Cons

Available in only 14 states.
Below-average overall star ratings from CMS.
4-star rated plans available in only three states.

Other factors to consider

Provider size	Part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield collective, which is the 3rd-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage enrollment	Nearly 2 million.
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher	20%.
Percent of plans with $0 premium	59%.
Plans available	HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, SNP.

» MORE: Read our full review of Anthem Medicare Advantage plans

Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medicare Advantage plans

Find the right Medicare Advantage plan

It’s important to do your research before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan for yourself. Here are some questions to consider asking:

What are the plan’s costs? Do you understand what the plan’s premium, deductibles, copays and/or coinsurance will be? Can you afford them?
Is your doctor in-network? If you have a preferred medical provider or providers, make sure they participate in the plan’s network.
Are your prescriptions covered? If you’re on medication, it’s crucial to understand how the plan covers it. What tier are your prescription drugs on, and are there any coverage rules that apply to them?
Is there dental coverage? Does the plan offer routine coverage for vision, dental and hearing needs?
Are there extras? Does the plan offer any extra benefits, such as fitness memberships, transportation benefits or meal delivery?

» MORE: Best Medicare Advantage plans

If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).

Medicare Advantage review methodology

The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies; in many places, one insurer serves more than half of the market. NerdWallet reviewed 26 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurers having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.) At the national level, these reviews include nine of the 10 largest brands by enrollment. At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in 47 of the 49 states that offer Medicare Advantage plans, and includes the top two insurers in 35 of those states. (Alaska doesn't offer Medicare Advantage plans.) We also look at online search volume to identify regional and other notable players in the space.

NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage reviews are based on ratings data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as pricing, plan availability by state, plan types available, consumer experience, extra benefits offered and more. 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.