Aetna vs. Cigna: Medicare Advantage Comparison

Aetna is a larger Medicare Advantage provider and is available in more states, while Cigna has a higher percentage of $0-premium plans.

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Oct 17, 2024

Written by Kate Ashford, CSA®

Lead Writer

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Edited by Holly Carey

Assigning Editor

Fact Checked

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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.

Cigna Medicare Advantage offers the highest percentage of $0-premium plans and the lowest average monthly premium of the major providers, and the majority of Cigna’s members are in highly rated plans.

Here’s a look at how Aetna and Cigna Medicare Advantage compare.

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Aetna Medicare Advantage

Aetna

4.27

CMS Star Rating

Aetna Medicare Advantage plans are widely available and highly rated, for both star ratings and member experience scores.

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States available

44 states and Washington, D.C.

Members in high-rated plans

High (85% to 100%)

Member experience

3.99 (Above average)

States available

44 states and Washington, D.C.

Members in high-rated plans

High (85% to 100%)

Member experience

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.

Other factors to consider

Provider size	4th-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage enrollment	More than 4.4 million.
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher	78%.
Percent of plans with $0 premium	59%.
Plans available	HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, SNP.

Aetna Medicare Advantage plan availability

» MORE: Read our full review of Aetna Medicare Advantage plans

Cigna Medicare Advantage

Cigna

3.93

CMS Star Rating

Cigna plans are low-cost, member experience scores are good and star ratings are average among all providers.

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States available

29 states and Washington, D.C.

Members in high-rated plans

Medium (50% to 84%)

Member experience

3.76 (Above average)

States available

29 states and Washington, D.C.

Members in high-rated plans

Medium (50% to 84%)

Member experience

3.76 (Above average)

Pros

8 in 10 Cigna plans are $0-premium plans.
Member experience scores are above average.
Strong benefits include 24/7 telehealth and meal delivery.

Cons

Available in only 29 states and Washington, D.C.
Highest NCQA scores are 3.5 stars on their 5-point scale.

Other factors to consider

Provider size	7th-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage enrollment	More than 580,000.
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher	33%.
Percent of plans with $0 premium	80%.
Plans available	HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, SNP.

Cigna Medicare Advantage plan availability

» MORE: Read our full review of Cigna 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 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?

» 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

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.