Humana vs Aetna Medicare Advantage: Plans and Ratings Compared

humana vs aetna medicare is one of the most common comparisons seniors face during enrollment season. Both companies rank among the largest Medicare Advantage insurers in the country. Humana serves roughly 6.3 million Medicare Advantage members across 46 states. Aetna covers about 4.1 million members in 43 states.

Each carrier offers Medicare Advantage, Medigap supplement, and Part D prescription drug plans. However, they differ significantly in star ratings, plan variety, and extra benefits. Choosing between them depends on your location, health needs, and budget. Humana has been in the Medicare market since 2006. Aetna processed the very first Medicare claim in the nation back in 1966. This guide breaks down every major difference so you can pick the right plan for 2026.

Humana Vs Aetna Medicare: Quick Comparison

This humana vs aetna medicare comparison reveals two strong but different carriers. Humana offers more Medigap plan letters and operates in more states. Aetna delivers significantly higher CMS star ratings. Both hold an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best. For most seniors, the choice comes down to plan availability in their ZIP code.

According to CMS.gov star ratings data, Aetna places 81 percent of its members in 4-star plans or higher. Humana places only 20 percent in that category. This gap affects bonus payments that fund richer benefits and lower premiums. In most cases, higher star ratings translate to better member experience.

Medicare Plan Options: Humana vs Aetna

When comparing humana vs aetna medicare plan options, Humana offers a broader selection overall. Humana sells nine Medigap plan letters including Plans K and L. Aetna offers six Medigap letters. Both sell the popular Plan G and High-Deductible Plan G. However, Aetna does not offer Plans C, K, or L in any state. Humana also offers PFFS Medicare Advantage plans. Aetna does not. Seniors eligible before 2020 can still access Plan F from either carrier.

On the Medicare Advantage side, both carriers offer HMO and PPO options. Aetna adds HMO-POS plans and is expanding Chronic Condition SNP plans to 18 states in 2026. Humana covers 85 percent of U.S. counties with its MA network. For example, Humana expanded into four new states and 177 new counties for 2026. On the other hand, Aetna eliminated roughly 90 MA plans across 34 states. This means some Aetna members may need to switch plans during open enrollment.

For Part D prescription drug coverage, Humana offers three standalone plans. These include a basic, premier, and value option. Aetna offers only one standalone plan called SilverScript Choice. Typically, seniors who want more Part D flexibility prefer Humana. All Part D plans now feature a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket maximum under the 2026 federal cap. Both carriers also include Part D drug coverage built into their Medicare Advantage plans.

Rates and Enrollment: Humana vs Aetna

Pricing for humana vs aetna medicare plans varies by location and plan type. Neither carrier publishes a single national rate. In most cases, Medicare Advantage premiums start at $0 per month for basic HMO plans. PPO plans tend to carry higher monthly premiums with both carriers. Medigap premiums depend on age, gender, tobacco use, and ZIP code. Both carriers offer competitive rates in major metro areas.

Aetna uses three pricing models for Medigap plans. Most states use attained-age pricing where premiums rise as you get older. A few states like Arizona and Florida use issue-age pricing. Arkansas, Idaho, and Vermont use community-rated pricing. Humana primarily uses attained-age pricing in most markets. Issue-age plans typically offer more predictable long-term costs. However, initial premiums may start slightly higher than attained-age alternatives.

Both carriers offer online, phone, and agent-assisted enrollment. Humana provides enrollment through its website and a network of licensed agents. Aetna enrollment is available through Medicare.gov Plan Finder and its own site. Many retirees also review other coverage during enrollment season. For example, you can compare home insurance rates at Home Insure Guide. This helps make sure your homeowners policy still fits your retirement budget.

Additional Benefits Compared

Extra benefits play a major role in the humana vs aetna medicare decision. Both carriers include dental, vision, and hearing coverage on all Medicare Advantage plans. However, the details differ. Humana offers up to $200 per quarter in OTC allowances loaded onto a prepaid card. Aetna provides similar OTC benefits through its CVS Pharmacy network at over 70,000 locations.

Humana stands out for transportation benefits. It offers 24 to 30 one-way trips per year to medical appointments. The company also provides mileage reimbursement if a family member drives. Aetna limits transportation primarily to its D-SNP plans. For seniors without reliable transportation, this difference matters significantly.

Humana’s Well Dine program delivers 28 meals after a hospital or skilled nursing facility discharge. Members can choose from six dietary options including diabetic, vegetarian, and renal-supportive meals. Aetna also offers post-discharge meals but primarily through its D-SNP plans. In most cases, Humana provides broader meal and transportation access across all plan types.

Aetna offers a unique annual in-home health visit through Signify Health. A clinician comes to your home for a health assessment at no cost. This includes fall-risk evaluation and social support screening. Humana does not include this benefit as a standard offering. Many Medicare beneficiaries also carry a life insurance policy to protect their family. You can compare life insurance rates at Life Insure Guide to review your options.

Financial Strength and Stability

Financial stability matters when choosing a humana vs aetna medicare plan. Both carriers hold an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best with a stable outlook. This rating indicates strong ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations. However, the companies differ significantly in size and corporate structure. Both ratings were most recently affirmed in late 2025.

Humana is the second-largest Medicare Advantage insurer in the United States. The company reported $124.6 billion in revenue for 2025. It ranks number 39 on the Fortune 500 list. Humana was founded in 1961 in Louisville, Kentucky. Aetna is the third-largest MA insurer with roots going back to 1819. Its parent company CVS Health ranks number 5 on the Fortune 500 with $372.8 billion in revenue. Typically, a larger parent company provides stronger financial backing.

CMS star ratings tell a different story about quality. Aetna’s enrollment-weighted average is 4.19 stars out of 5. Humana’s weighted average sits at 3.61 stars. According to CMS.gov, plans with 4 or more stars receive quality bonus payments from the federal government. These bonuses fund lower premiums and richer benefits for members. Humana experienced a significant star rating decline from 2024 to 2025. The company has stated it expects to return to top-quartile results by 2027.

Which Medicare Carrier Should You Choose?

Choose Humana if: You want more Medigap plan letter options including Plans K and L. You live in a rural area where Humana covers 85 percent of U.S. counties. You need generous transportation benefits with up to 30 trips per year. You prefer multiple Part D standalone plan choices.

Choose Aetna if: You prioritize high CMS star ratings with 81 percent of members in 4-star plans. You want CVS Pharmacy integration for OTC benefits and prescriptions. You value an annual in-home health assessment at no extra cost. You need a Chronic Condition SNP plan in one of 18 states.

The humana vs aetna medicare decision ultimately depends on what you value most. Humana offers wider geographic coverage and more plan variety. Aetna delivers stronger quality ratings and CVS network integration. Both carriers are financially stable with identical AM Best ratings. Check your ZIP code on Medicare.gov Plan Finder to see which plans are available near you.

In most cases, comparing humana vs aetna medicare comes down to local availability. A plan that scores 4.5 stars nationally may not be offered in your county. Start by listing the plans in your area. Then compare premiums, copays, drug coverage, and extra benefits side by side. The best Medicare plan is the one that fits your specific health needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Humana or Aetna better for Medicare Advantage?

It depends on your priorities and where you live. Aetna typically earns higher CMS star ratings, with 81 percent of members in 4-star plans or higher. However, Humana covers more states and counties nationwide. For example, Humana operates in 46 states while Aetna covers 43. The best humana vs aetna medicare choice depends on plan availability in your specific ZIP code.

Does Humana or Aetna offer better extra benefits?

Both carriers include dental, vision, and hearing on all Medicare Advantage plans. However, Humana offers more generous transportation benefits with up to 30 one-way trips per year. On the other hand, Aetna provides a free annual in-home health visit through Signify Health. Aetna also integrates OTC benefits directly with CVS Pharmacy locations. Your humana vs aetna medicare comparison should weigh which extras matter most to your daily life.

Are Humana and Aetna Medicare plans available in all states?

Neither carrier covers all 50 states for Medicare Advantage plans. Humana offers MA plans in 46 states plus Washington DC. Aetna covers 43 states plus DC for Medicare Advantage. For Medigap supplement plans, both carriers have even broader state availability. Typically, you can check your specific humana vs aetna medicare options through the official Medicare.gov Plan Finder tool.

Compare More Medicare Insurance Companies

Looking for more Medicare carrier reviews, plan comparisons, and enrollment guides? Browse our complete library of Medicare resources.

Official Sources & Resources

For verified information on Medicare plans, ratings, and enrollment:

• Medicare.gov (Official): medicare.gov
• CMS.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid): cms.gov
• AM Best (Financial Strength Ratings): ambest.com
• NAIC (Complaint Ratios): naic.org
• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): shiphelp.org
• Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): kff.org

Content last reviewed April 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.

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