Aetna vs Humana

McCall Martin
McCall Martin | Senior Editor

Aetna and Humana are both large health insurance carriers. When it comes to Medicare, both companies offer Medicare Advantage Plans, Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs), and Medigap plans (Medicare supplement insurance).

Both companies also offer good general information about their plans, though you'll need to enter your zip code for more specifics and to see options in your area.

The biggest difference between Humana and Aetna Medicare Advantage plans is that Humana offers Private-Fee-For-Service (PFFS) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) for people with eligible chronic conditions.

Aetna logo
#7 Aetna
2.5 Overall Score
1.8
star star star_border star_border star_border
(37)
Humana logo
#5 Humana
3.6 Overall Score
3.1
star star star star_border star_border
(19)

Overview

Aetna

Policy Types

Customer Service Options

Purchase Process

Time in Business

Undisclosed

Humana

Undisclosed

Ratings

Aetna

Overall Score
2.5 of 10
Review Score
1.8
star star star_border star_border star_border
Value for Money
2.4
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Quality of Product or Service
2.2
star star star_border star_border star_border
Company Trustworthiness
2.2
star star star_border star_border star_border
Likely to Recommend
2.8 of 10

Humana

3.6 of 10
3.1
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2.9
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3.1
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2.9
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5.1 of 10

Reviews

Aetna

Number of Reviews
37
Review Breakdown
1.8
star star star_border star_border star_border
1 star
59%
2 star
5%
3 star
8%
4 star
8%
5 star
19%

Humana

19
3.1
star star star star_border star_border
1 star
42%
2 star
5%
3 star
0%
4 star
11%
5 star
42%

Reviews for Aetna

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Joe Leahy

January 4th, 2022

DETAILS

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Review Source

Aetna is my Medicare supplement. I have had no issues with their handling of any medical visits or procedures. All claims seem to be handled in a timely manner and I receive a monthly activity statement of my benefits

Helpful Critical Review

star star star_border star_border star_border

borzol

April 11th, 2024

DETAILS

Edited April 16th, 2024

My doctor sent the request for a prior authorization of LIDOCAINE 5% OINTMENT on 4/9/24. First time I’ve been told it can take up to 3 days. Next time I called on the fifth day and asked representative Angelica(?) to submit a grievance for such a service. She’s got disconnected. Representative Dan said the process can take up to 17 days. What kind of patients can be satisfied with such service waiting in pain for 17 days?!

Reviews for Humana

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star

Carolyn Page

October 19th, 2022

DETAILS

During my breast implant in 2011.,and then I had to under go 17 more surgeries for reconstruction, and had some very horrible events. Humana and their team were so amazing., and good to me. .. Can never thank them enough.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Christopher Bober

June 25th, 2021

BE AWARE Humana's dental plan is NO GOOD. Humana DO NOT PAY for a root canal or crown work. Humana states it will pay $2,000.00 for dental work. It is deceptions since Humana pays 0 (zero) for crowns or root canal.

The Final Word

When buying Medicare coverage, you're first choice is between Original or Traditional Medicare managed by the federal government or Medicare Advantage plans managed by private companies.

Aetna offers several kinds of Medicare Advantage plans, including Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Health Maintenance Organization-Point-Of-Service (HMO-POS), and Preferred Provider Organization PPO plans. Each type of plan has a different network and cost-sharing structure. Visit Aetna's website to see what options are available in your area.

Aetna also offers the following perks with each Medicare Advantage plans:

  • Resources for Living® (help finding local resources)
  • SilverSneakers® fitness membership
  • 24/7 nurse line
  • Prescription home delivery
  • Meals-at-Home (meal delivery when recovering from medical treatment)
  • Dental benefits
  • Vision benefits
  • Hearing benefits

These features may vary by plan.

Aetna also offers Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) for people who also qualify for Medicaid. These plans include a personal care team, access to wellness programs, and coverage for prescriptions, dental, vision, and hearing. Check with Aetna to see if a D-SNP is available in your area.

Humana also offers a variety of Medicare Advantage plans. Its plan structure offerings include some different options than Aetna. Humana offers HMO, PPO, and Private-Fee-For-Service (PFFS) plans.

Humana offers SilverSneakers® fitness membership with many of its plans. Some Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. Dental and vision coverage can be added to some plans for an increased premium.

Humana also offers two kinds of Special Needs Plans (SNPs). It offers an SNP for people with eligible chronic conditions and an SNP for people with dual Medicare and Medicaid eligibility. Qualifications for chronic condition SNPs vary by state. These SNPs may not be available in every state, so check with Humana directly to learn more about what's available in your area.

Medicare beneficiaries with Original Medicare may want to buy a prescription drug coverage plan.Humana and Aetna offer several options for Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs). Humana offers mail delivery with some of its plans. It also offers a few more options than Aetna, though for specific plans available in your area, you’ll need to check with both companies directly.

Medicare supplement insurance plans (Medigap) are generally similar across carriers. A Medicare supplement plan helps control Traditional Medicare's out-of-pocket costs. When choosing between the Humana's and Aetna's Medigap plans, you'll want to compare monthly premium prices and insurance coverage options available at each health insurer before deciding which would be best for your situation.

Overall, both Aetna and Humana offer nice options. When deciding between the two, it will come down to which insurance company has a plan that best meets your needs.

Top Choice

Humana Logo
Humana

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