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Aetna is a legitimate, financially strong insurer owned by CVS Health, with an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best and 26 million medical members. The biggest change is that it stopped selling Affordable Care Act marketplace plans after the 2025 plan year, so if you buy your own coverage you'll need another insurer. For Medicare Advantage it remains one of the better-rated large carriers, with more than 69% of members in 4 star or higher plans for 2027, though that is down from 81% for 2026. Member reviews are poor, mostly over claim denials and prior authorization, and Pennsylvania fined Aetna $550,000 in 2026 over claims handling and mental health parity.
- Marketplace (ACA) plans
- Not sold since the end of the 2025 plan year, when CVS Health exited the individual exchange business1
- How you can get Aetna
- Employer group plans (mostly self-funded plans Aetna administers), Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Medicaid in some states1
- Medicare Advantage
- Plans in 43 states plus Washington, D.C. for 2026, with a $0 premium plan in every county served; all plans include dental, vision, hearing and SilverSneakers3
- Star ratings
- More than 69% of Medicare Advantage members in 4 star or higher plans for 2027, down from more than 81% for 20264
- Size
- 26 million medical members as of June 30, 20266
- Financial strength
- A (Excellent) from AM Best, affirmed June 20267
- Regulatory record
- Pennsylvania consent order, January 2026: $550,000 fine and claim reprocessing with interest for claims handling and mental health parity violations8
- Company
- Aetna Inc., 151 Farmington Ave, Hartford, Connecticut, a CVS Health company; founded 18539
Pros
- A (Excellent) financial strength from AM Best
- Large national network for employer plans
- Most Medicare Advantage members in 4 star or higher plans
- $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan in every county it serves (2026)
- Highly rated Aetna Health app
Cons
- No individual or family marketplace plans since 2025
- Medicare star ratings fell for 2027
- Very low Trustpilot score driven by claim denials
- $550,000 Pennsylvania fine in 2026 over claims and mental health parity
- Plan details depend heavily on your employer or county
Best for: People choosing between plans at work or comparing Medicare Advantage plans who want a large national network from a financially strong insurer.
Skip it if: You're under 65 and buying your own coverage, since Aetna no longer sells marketplace plans.
Aetna vs. competitors
| Company | Marketplace plans | Medicare Advantage | 2027 MA members in 4+ star plans | AM Best | BBB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | None since 2025 | 43 states and D.C. (2026) | 69%+ | A (Excellent) | A+ |
| UnitedHealthcare | 30 states for 2026; leaving Georgia for 2027 | 48 states and D.C. | About 67% (analyst estimate) | A (Excellent) | A+ |
| Anthem | 14 states | 13 states | 45% (Elevance) | A (Excellent) | D- |
| Cigna | Ending after 2026 in all 11 states | Sold to HCSC in 2025 | Not applicable | A+ |
Aetna, step by step
Find out which Aetna products you can get
Through work, ask HR whether an Aetna plan is offered. If you're 65 or older or on Medicare, search Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans by ZIP code. If you buy your own under-65 coverage, Aetna isn't available, so shop the marketplace.
Check the network and drugs
Look up your doctors, nearest hospital and prescriptions in the specific plan's directory and formulary, since HMO, PPO and employer designs differ.
Enroll in the right window
Employer plans follow your company's open enrollment. Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.
Use your coverage
Get your ID card and track claims in the Aetna Health app. Ask whether a service needs prior authorization before you schedule it.
Appeal denials
If a claim is denied, file an internal appeal, then request an external review or contact your state insurance department or Medicare if it isn't resolved.
Aetna legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Aetna was founded in 1853 in Hartford, Connecticut, and has been part of CVS Health since 2018. It had 26 million medical members on June 30, 2026, and AM Best affirmed its A (Excellent) financial strength rating in June 2026, which means the company is well placed to pay claims.
Legitimate isn’t the same as easy to deal with. Aetna has a 1.2 out of 5 Trustpilot score from 408 reviews and 1,219 BBB complaints in three years, nearly all about denied claims, prior authorization and customer service. In January 2026 Pennsylvania’s Insurance Department fined Aetna $550,000 after an exam found delayed and wrongly denied claims, incomplete autism therapy claim files and mental health parity violations, and ordered it to reprocess claims and pay members with interest.
Aetna marketplace plans: discontinued after 2025
CVS Health announced in 2025 that Aetna would leave the Affordable Care Act individual exchange business after the 2025 plan year. CVS said the exit cut membership by about 600,000 people. That means you can’t buy an Aetna medical plan on HealthCare.gov or a state marketplace for 2026 or 2027.
If you had an Aetna marketplace plan, you needed a new plan for 2026. For 2027, Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027; enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. Compare plans on total yearly cost (premium after any tax credit, plus the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum) and check that your doctors are in network.
Older reviews that say Aetna sells marketplace plans in 17 states, or quote Aetna marketplace deductibles, are out of date.
Aetna Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage is now Aetna’s main plan for people buying coverage themselves. For 2026, Aetna sold plans in 43 states plus Washington, D.C., with a $0 premium plan in every county it serves, and every plan includes dental, vision, hearing and a SilverSneakers fitness membership. Eligible members get an Extra Benefits Card for allowances usable at CVS and other stores, and general enrollment drug plans list $0 copays on Tier 1 drugs at in-network pharmacies.
Quality ratings remain good but slipped: Aetna says more than 69% of its members are in plans rated 4 stars or higher for 2027, down from more than 81% for 2026. Stars matter because they reflect care quality and service, and 4 star plans earn bonus payments that often fund extra benefits.
Plans vary a lot by county. Use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare your drugs, doctors and the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, 2026.
What customers say about Aetna
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Large national network that works across state lines
- Well-rated Aetna Health app for ID cards and claims
- Medicare Advantage plans with $0 premium options and extra benefits
- Strong financial footing
Common complaints
- Denied claims, including for treatments a doctor ordered
- Prior authorization delays
- Long hold times and conflicting answers from customer service
- Bills above expected out-of-pocket costs
- Outdated provider directories
Aetna through an employer
Most Aetna members get coverage through work. In an employer plan your company sets the deductible, copays and network type, and many large employers self-fund the plan with Aetna only administering it, so two Aetna plans can be very different. Compare the network for your doctors and hospital, the yearly premium plus deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, and the formulary tier for your prescriptions.
Aetna complaints and how to handle a denial
The recurring complaints are claim denials, prior authorization delays, hold times, bills above expected costs and provider directories that list doctors who don’t take the plan.
To protect yourself: ask your doctor’s office whether a service needs prior authorization and get the approval number before treatment, keep every explanation of benefits, and appeal in writing within the deadline on the denial letter. Under the Affordable Care Act, most plans must offer an internal appeal and then an independent external review. Fully insured plans are overseen by your state insurance department; self-funded employer plans fall under the U.S. Department of Labor; Medicare plans under Medicare. You can check complaint data for the specific Aetna company on your card through the NAIC Consumer Insurance Search.
Who should look elsewhere
If you’re under 65 and buy your own insurance, Aetna isn’t an option; compare plans on HealthCare.gov or your state’s marketplace, where UnitedHealthcare and Anthem still sell in many states. If you have low income, check Medicaid or CHIP first. For Medicare, compare Aetna with other carriers in your county rather than picking by brand, since the specific plan’s network and drug coverage matter more.
Alternatives to Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare Still sells marketplace plans in many states and has the widest Medicare Advantage reach. Read review
- Anthem Sells individual and family plans with a Blue Cross Blue Shield network in its 14 states. Read review
- HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace The free, official place to compare every individual plan in your area and see whether you qualify for a premium tax credit.
- Medicaid or CHIP Free or low-cost coverage if your income qualifies; apply through your state or HealthCare.gov.
Aetna reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Aetna a good health insurance company?
It's financially strong (A from AM Best) and most of its Medicare Advantage members are in 4 star plans. Member reviews are poor, mostly over claim denials and prior authorization, so judge the specific plan's network and costs.
Does Aetna still sell Obamacare (marketplace) plans?
No. Aetna left the ACA individual exchange business after the 2025 plan year. You can't buy an Aetna medical plan on HealthCare.gov or a state marketplace for 2026 or 2027.
Can I buy an Aetna plan on my own?
If you're under 65, generally no, since Aetna no longer sells individual medical plans. If you're on Medicare, you can buy Aetna Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plans where they're offered.
Who owns Aetna?
CVS Health, which bought Aetna in 2018. Aetna is based in Hartford, Connecticut.
How many people does Aetna cover?
26 million medical members as of June 30, 2026.
What are Aetna's 2027 Medicare star ratings?
Aetna says more than 69% of its Medicare Advantage members are in 2027 plans rated 4 stars or higher, down from more than 81% for 2026.
Where does Aetna sell Medicare Advantage?
In 43 states plus Washington, D.C. for 2026, with at least one $0 premium plan in every county it serves. Check the Medicare Plan Finder for your ZIP code.
Why does Aetna deny claims?
Common reasons are missing prior authorization, out-of-network care, coding errors and medical necessity decisions. Ask for the reason in writing and appeal; most plans must offer an independent external review.
Was Aetna fined recently?
Yes. In January 2026 Pennsylvania fined Aetna $550,000 over delayed and wrongly denied claims and mental health parity violations, and required it to reprocess claims with interest.
When can I switch to or from Aetna?
Employer plans follow your company's open enrollment. Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026. Marketplace plans, which Aetna no longer sells, have Open Enrollment from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
Sources (12)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- CVS Health (SEC filing): First quarter 2025 results, Aetna individual exchange exit (accessed October 12, 2026)
- HealthCare.gov: Dates and deadlines for 2027 coverage (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CVS Health: Aetna 2026 Medicare Advantage plans (October 1, 2025) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CVS Health: Aetna 2027 Star Ratings (October 8, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CVS Health: Aetna achieves over 81% of Medicare Advantage members in 4 star plans for 2026 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Healthcare Dive: CVS triples net income in Q2 2026 (Aetna membership) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- AM Best: Affirms credit ratings of CVS Health's Aetna Inc. subsidiaries (Business Wire, June 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department: Aetna fined $550,000 for mental health parity violations (March 3, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Aetna Inc. profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Aetna reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Apple App Store: Aetna Health (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Medicare.gov: Joining a plan (enrollment periods) (accessed October 12, 2026)
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