Aetna
2.5
CMS Star Rating
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Aetna SilverScript Medicare Part D 2024-2025 Review
Aetna eliminated its popular SilverScript SmartSaver plan for 2025, and the SilverScript Choice plan replacing it is quite different.
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Written by Alex Rosenberg
Lead Writer
The bottom line: Aetna discontinued the popular SilverScript SmartSaver plan and the SilverScript Plus plan, so members will be automatically enrolled in Aetna’s single option for 2025, SilverScript Choice, unless they take action. Aetna members might want to consider competitors’ plans with higher ratings and lower prices in 2025. 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.
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Our full review
Why trust NerdWallet
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 3.06 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.
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 about 4.9 million Medicare beneficiaries as of September 2024, making Aetna the second-largest Medicare Part D company.
What happened to Aetna SilverScript SmartSaver?
Aetna is combining the SilverScript SmartSaver plan with its SilverScript Choice plan in 2025. If you had the SilverScript SmartSaver plan in 2024, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the SilverScript Choice plan for 2025 unless you act to change your 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 during open enrollment (Oct. 15 through Dec. 7) and compare options to find a plan that best fits your needs.
💬 From our Nerds: Is Aetna SilverScript Choice a good prescription plan?
“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.”
— Alex Rosenberg, lead writer covering Medicare
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.
Pricing for the SilverScript Choice plan hasn’t changed much from 2024 to 2025, on average. But because Aetna discontinued its SilverScript SmartSaver plan, there’s no longer a lower-cost Aetna option. Similarly, because Aetna discontinued the SilverScript Plus plan, there’s no longer a higher-end Aetna option.
$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.
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).
Aetna
2.5
CMS Star Rating
Aetna gets below-average star ratings, and its single plan option (SilverScript Choice) isn't the cheapest.
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Out-of-pocket costs
Higher than average
Member experience
2.5 (Below average)
Out-of-pocket costs
Higher than average
Member experience
2.5 (Below average)
Pros
- Simplified pharmacy network with uniform out-of-pocket costs.
Cons
- Just one plan choice.
- No $0-copay or $0-deductible options.
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.
