UHC is the largest Medicare Advantage provider, while Aetna has a greater percentage of highly rated plans.
May 11, 2024 Written by Kate Ashford, CSA® Lead Writer 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.
Assigning Editor Holly Carey
Assigning Editor | Medicare
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.
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Some Aetna Medicare Advantage members have access to cost help with dental, vision and hearing care, as well as a variety of other benefits, such as in-home health visits and meal delivery after a hospital stay.
UnitedHealthcare offers the largest Medicare Advantage network of all companies, with more than 1 million network care providers.
Here’s a look at how Aetna and UnitedHealthcare compare.
45+ Medicare companies and brands analyzed by our team of experts.
30+ years of combined experience covering Medicare and personal finance.
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.
CMS Star Rating
Average 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 offer a variety of extra benefits. Member experience scores are also high, and star ratings land just above the industry average.
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Pros & Cons46 states and Washington, D.C.
Members in high-rated plans
Percentage of members who are in rated contracts with a Medicare star rating of 4 or higher.
Medium (50% to 89%)
The average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Health Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.77 (Above average)
46 states and Washington, D.C.
Members in high-rated plans
Percentage of members who are in rated contracts with a Medicare star rating of 4 or higher.
Medium (50% to 89%)
The average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Health Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
3.77 (Above average)
4th-largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage enrollment
More than 3.8 million.
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher
Percent of plans with $0 premium
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, SNP.
CMS Star Rating
Average Medicare star rating, weighted by enrollment. Star ratings are determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans are widely available and boast the largest Medicare Advantage provider network, although member experience ratings are average.
GET A QUOTE Pros & Cons49 states and Washington, D.C.
Members in high-rated plans
Percentage of members who are in rated contracts with a Medicare star rating of 4 or higher.
Medium (50% to 89%)
The average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Health Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
49 states and Washington, D.C.
Members in high-rated plans
Percentage of members who are in rated contracts with a Medicare star rating of 4 or higher.
Medium (50% to 89%)
The average of CMS' star ratings for quality measures in the domain "Member Experience with the Health Plan," weighted by contract enrollment.
Largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage enrollment
More than 9.4 million.
Percent of plans rated 4 stars or higher
Percent of plans with $0 premium
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO, PFFS, SNP.
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?
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
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Kate Ashford is a certified senior advisor (CSA)® and personal finance writer at NerdWallet specializing in Medicare and retirement topics. See full bio.
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.
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