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Aetna vs. Blue Cross Blue Shield: Medicare Advantage Comparison
The best choice between Aetna and BCBS Medicare Advantage may largely depend on where you live, depending on the BCBS company available in your area.
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Kate Ashford, CSA® Lead Writer | Medicare, retirement, personal finance
Kate Ashford is a writer and NerdWallet authority on Medicare. She is a certified senior advisor (CSA)® and has more than 20 years of experience writing about personal finance. Previously, she was a freelance writer for both consumer and business publications, and her work has been published by the BBC, Forbes, Money, AARP, LearnVest and Parents, among others. She has a degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. Kate has appeared as a Medicare expert on the PennyWise podcast by Lee Enterprises, and she's been quoted in national publications including Healthline, Real Simple and SingleCare. She is based in New York.
Holly Carey joined NerdWallet in 2021 as an editor on the team responsible for expanding content to additional topics within personal finance. She currently leads the Medicare team. Previously, Holly wrote and edited content and developed digital media strategies as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Navy. She is based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Aetna's star ratings improved in 2025 — a year when the average rating for all plans dropped — and the company scored above average for member experience.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a collective of 33 different companies, and star ratings and member experience scores vary among providers.
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
4.27
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Aetna Medicare Advantage plans are widely available and highly rated, for both star ratings and member experience scores.
We will connect you with Medicare companies based on the information you provide. They will help you find a plan that suits your needs. If you prefer to speak to a licensed insurance agent right away, please call the number listed above.
States available
44 states and Washington, D.C.
Members in high-rated plansPercentage of members who are in rated contracts with a Medicare star rating of 4 or higher.
High (85% to 100%)
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Health Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.99 (Above average)
Pros
Nearly 8 in 10 Aetna plans are rated 4 stars or higher.
Available in 44 states and Washington, D.C.
Some plans offer MinuteClinic access for low copays.
Cons
Customer satisfaction lands below the regional average in some major Medicare markets.
Reduced benefits and no longer available in two states.
States available
44 states and Washington, D.C.
Members in high-rated plansPercentage of members who are in rated contracts with a Medicare star rating of 4 or higher.
High (85% to 100%)
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Health Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.99 (Above average)
Pros
Nearly 8 in 10 Aetna plans are rated 4 stars or higher.
Available in 44 states and Washington, D.C.
Some plans offer MinuteClinic access for low copays.
Cons
Customer satisfaction lands below the regional average in some major Medicare markets.
Reduced benefits and no longer available in two states.
CMS Star RatingAverage Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are widely available and affordable, but some companies earn higher marks than others on member satisfaction.
We will connect you with Medicare companies based on the information you provide. They will help you find a plan that suits your needs. If you prefer to speak to a licensed insurance agent right away, please call the number listed above.
States available
48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico
Members in high-rated plansPercentage of members who are in rated contracts with a Medicare star rating of 4 or higher.
Medium (50% to 84%)
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Health Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.43 (Average)
Pros
BCBS companies offer plans in 48 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
$0-premium BCBS plans are available in 47 states and Puerto Rico.
Some BCBS companies rank well for customer satisfaction.
Cons
Ratings vary among BCBS companies, and you may not have access to a highly-rated BCBS plan.
BCBS companies offer special needs plans in only two-thirds of U.S. states.
States available
48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico
Members in high-rated plansPercentage of members who are in rated contracts with a Medicare star rating of 4 or higher.
Medium (50% to 84%)
Member experienceThe average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Health Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.43 (Average)
Pros
BCBS companies offer plans in 48 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
$0-premium BCBS plans are available in 47 states and Puerto Rico.
Some BCBS companies rank well for customer satisfaction.
Cons
Ratings vary among BCBS companies, and you may not have access to a highly-rated BCBS plan.
BCBS companies offer special needs plans in only two-thirds of U.S. states.
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?
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.
