The bottom line: Aetna discontinued the popular SilverScript SmartSaver plan and the SilverScript Plus plan, so members were automatically enrolled in Aetna’s single option for 2025, SilverScript Choice, unless they took action. SilverScript Choice doesn’t offer the lowest prices and gets below-average government ratings. 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 2025: SilverScript Choice.
- No $0 copays or deductibles: The SilverScript Choice plan doesn’t have any $0-copay or $0-deductible formulary tiers.
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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Aetna Medicare Part D star ratings
Average Part D star rating, weighted by enrollment: 2.5 stars
Aetna SilverScript Medicare Part D plans get an average rating of 2.5 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2025. For context, the average for all stand-alone Part D plans, weighted by enrollment, is 3.11 stars.
CMS rates Medicare Part D plans 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.
» MORE: Medicare star ratings: How they can help you choose a plan
Aetna SilverScript Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
There’s just one Aetna SilverScript Medicare Part D plan available for 2025: 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 4.2 million Medicare beneficiaries as of March 2025, 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.
Note: The 2025 SilverScript Choice plan is very different from the 2024 SilverScript SmartSaver plan. By comparison, SilverScript Choice has significantly higher average premiums, a higher deductible, and no $0-copay or $0-deductible options.
It’s a good idea to shop around and compare options to find a plan that best fits your needs.
More Nerdy Perspective
“Aetna’s SilverScript Choice plan isn’t a very competitive option in 2025. In the past, Aetna offered some of the least expensive Medicare Part D plans and maintained decent star ratings. With higher prices and lower ratings in 2025, Aetna SilverScript Choice underperforms competitors’ plans. “Beyond factors like premiums and star ratings, it’s also crucial to know whether and how a Medicare Part D plan covers your prescription drugs. So before you buy, confirm that your medications are included on the plan’s formulary with out-of-pocket costs you can afford.”
Aetna Medicare Part D cost
Aetna Medicare Part D premiums and deductibles
Here are the 2025 premiums and deductibles for Aetna's SilverScript Medicare Part D prescription drug plan:
Plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
SilverScript Choice | Monthly premiums:
Annual deductible: $590. |
» If you have concerns about affording Medicare Part D, look into Medicare Extra Help.
$0-deductible options
Aetna doesn’t offer any $0-deductible options in 2025. The SilverScript Choice plan’s $590 deductible applies to all tiers of covered drugs.
$0-copay options
Aetna doesn’t offer any $0-copay options in 2025. SilverScript Choice copays start at $5 for a 30-day supply of Tier 1 drugs.
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 2025.
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 all 50 states and Washington, D.C..
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: You’ll want to make sure the medicines you currently take and, importantly, any you think you might need in the future, are covered under each of the plans you’re considering. Talk to your health care providers about what brand-name and generic medicines to look for and any alternatives that may also work in case you can’t find your current medicines on the plans available in your area.
Look for plan changes: Formularies 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 negotiate with a network of pharmacies for the lowest cost. Check to see if your pharmacy or an equally convenient one is in the plan’s network. Also, compare prices for using mail order.
If your plan does change, and the change affects the prescription drugs you need, 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-copay or $0-deductible options.
Article sources
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. 2025 Star Ratings Data Tables (ZIP). Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare 2025 Part C & D Star Ratings Technical Notes. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 3.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Fact Sheet 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 4.Aetna. Aetna Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 5.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. PDP Plan Directory. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 6.Aetna. Annual Notice of Changes for 2025. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 7.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2025 Landscape (202412). Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 8.Aetna. 2025 Summary of Benefits. Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
- 9.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2025 Landscape (2024.12). Accessed Apr 16, 2025.
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 reviewed eight Medicare Part D insurance companies based on highest enrollment and greatest online search volume. Together, these eight companies cover about 92% of Medicare beneficiaries with stand-alone Medicare Part D plans, according to CMS data. We review at least five 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 $0 PREMIUMS | (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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.50 | 3.50/5 | Varies | 3.0 (Average) |
BEST FOR MEMBER EXPERIENCE | (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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.49 | 3.49/5 | Varies | 4.46 (Above 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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.25 | 3.25/5 | Higher than average | 3.0 (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 askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 2.85 | 2.85/5 | Average | 2.87 (Average) |