Aetna makes NerdWallet’s list of the top Medicare Advantage companies as the best for government ratings. It gets the highest CMS quality ratings among large companies with near-nationwide availability. Aetna makes $0-premium plans available to most Medicare members, but it doesn’t have the best customer satisfaction, and some competitors have lower caps on out-of-pocket costs.
UnitedHealthcare stands out for its large network of providers and hospitals and is included on our list of the best Medicare Advantage companies. Its plans, which are sometimes co-branded with AARP, are available with $0 premiums in 46 states. However, UHC doesn’t always score well on customer experience surveys.
Here’s a look at how Aetna and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage compare.
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Aetna vs. UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans
Aetna | UnitedHealthcare | |
|---|---|---|
Average government quality rating | 4.2 out of 5. | 4.11 out of 5. |
Percent of plans with $0 premiums | 60%. | 52%. |
Average non-$0 premium | $32.89. | $33.90. |
Average maximum out-of-pocket spending cap (MOOP) | $6,963. | $6,492. |
Company size | 4th-largest Medicare Advantage insurance company (nearly 4.2 million members). | Largest Medicare Advantage insurance company (nearly 9.4 million members). |
Plans available | HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, SNP. | HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS, SNP. |
Extra benefits |
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Averages weighted by enrollment where relevant. | ||
Aetna Medicare Advantage
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans get slightly better quality ratings from CMS than UnitedHealthcare plans. Compared to UHC, a higher percentage of Aetna’s plans have $0 premiums. Aetna performs below average on customer satisfaction surveys, however, and UHC plans have lower maximum out-of-pocket spending caps.
Pros
Highest quality ratings from CMS, weighted by enrollment, among companies that sell plans nearly nationwide.
$0 premium plans available to 82% of Medicare beneficiaries.
$0 coverage for Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs on most plans.
All plans include SilverSneakers and some dental, vision and hearing coverage.
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction in many markets surveyed by JD Power.
Maximum out-of-pocket costs are higher than most major competitors.
Aetna Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members have access to a large provider network, and UHC’s service area covers more ground than Aetna’s. However, UHC offers fewer plans with $0 copays/coinsurance for Tier 2 prescription drugs. (Both companies have $0 copays/coinsurance at Tier 1 nearly across the board.) And UHC’s performance on customer satisfaction surveys can be underwhelming, depending on the location.
Pros
Large Medicare Advantage medical network with nearly 1 million providers.
Available with $0 premiums in 46 states.
Cons
Customer experience might vary by location.
Other major Medicare companies offer more $0-deductible prescription drug tiers.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of UnitedHealthcare 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 preferred medical 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
NerdWallet’s Medicare Advantage ratings are based on premiums, out-of-pocket costs, prescription drug coverage, quality data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, consumer experience and more. We calculate each health insurance company’s rating on a curved 5-point scale.
NerdWallet’s editorial team analyzed companies covering about 87% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in the United States. We reviewed 25 Medicare Advantage brands, with some insurance companies having more than one brand under their umbrella. (For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield includes the brands Anthem and Highmark.)
The Medicare Advantage marketplace is concentrated among just a handful of companies. In many places, one company serves more than half of the market. At the national level, NerdWallet’s reviews include each of the 10 largest brands by enrollment.
At the state level, our research includes at least one major insurer in every state where Medicare Advantage plans are sold, and includes the top two insurers in 40 of those 49 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.
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.