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.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a collective of 33 different companies and often scores well on customer satisfaction surveys, but cost, quality and member experience vary by company and location.
Here’s a look at how Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield compare.
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NerdWallet’s Medicare content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in Medicare. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets. They have been cited in publications including Healthline, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast.
Aetna Medicare Advantage
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans get solid government quality ratings and often have $0 premiums, but they underperform on customer satisfaction surveys.
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.
Other factors to consider
Average government quality rating | 4.2 out of 5. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 60%. |
Average non-$0 premium | $32.89. |
Average maximum out-of-pocket spending cap (MOOP) | $6,693. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | Nearly 4.2 million. |
Averages weighted by enrollment where relevant. | |
Aetna Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are widely available and often top customer satisfaction surveys, but price, plan options and quality vary depending on which BCBS company serves your location.
Pros
BCBS plans are available in 47 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
BCBS companies often take top spots in customer satisfaction surveys.
Cons
Cost, quality and benefits vary among BCBS companies, and you may not have access to one of the best BCBS plans.
Plans with premiums can be pricey.
Other factors to consider
Average government quality rating | 4 out of 5. |
Percent of plans with $0 premium | 57%. |
Average non-$0 premium | $60.57. |
Average maximum out-of-pocket spending cap (MOOP) | $5,899. |
Medicare Advantage enrollment | Nearly 5.1 million. |
Averages weighted by enrollment where relevant. | |
BCBS Medicare Advantage plan availability
» MORE: Read our full review of BCBS 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.