Aetna Plan G at a Glance
| Coverage |
Offers the same standardized Plan G medical benefits as other Plan G policies in most states |
| Provider access |
Any provider who accepts Original Medicare, nationwide, no networks |
| Part B deductible |
Not covered — $283 in 2026, the main Medicare cost-sharing amount Plan G does not cover |
| Prescription drugs |
Not included — you'll need a separate Part D plan |
| Pricing |
Varies by ZIP code, age, sex, tobacco use, and household discounts — in markets we've reviewed, Aetna is often priced above competing Plan G carriers |
| Best for |
Buyers who want a large, financially strong national name and don't mind paying a premium for it |
| Main drawback |
Aetna is currently priced above competing Plan G carriers in most markets |
Our Verdict
- PriceMarket-dependent
- Rate historyReview by state and policy block
- Financial strengthStrong
- Customer serviceVaries by experience
- Household discountMay be available
These are plain-language assessments based on the rating data, filings, and quotes we've reviewed — not a numeric or proprietary scoring methodology.
Aetna is one of the most recognized names in Medicare Supplement insurance, backed by CVS Health and over 160 years of operating history.
Their Plan G is a comprehensive policy offering the same standardized core coverage as other Plan G policies in most states.
Where Aetna tends to separate from competitors isn't the coverage itself, but the price.
In several markets we've reviewed, Aetna's Plan G premiums have been higher than competing carriers offering the same standardized benefits, such as Humana or Blue Cross Blue Shield.
We'll walk through what that means for you below.
What Makes Aetna Different
Because Plan G's medical benefits are standardized in most states, the real differences between Aetna and another Plan G insurer come down to premium, underwriting, discounts, rate history, and customer experience.
The core coverage itself isn't one of those differences.
Here's where Aetna stands on those points.
- Backed by CVS Health. Aetna has been part of CVS Health since 2018, which reinforces its financial scale and national reach.
- Strong financial ratings. Based on the rating data available to us, Aetna carries an A (Excellent) from A.M. Best, Baa2 from Moody's, and A- from Standard & Poor's — all indicating strong ability to meet future obligations.
- Dental, vision, or hearing options may be available. Separate ancillary coverage may be offered depending on your location and product availability — confirm what's actually sold alongside Plan G in your state.
- A household discount may be available. Depending on state and eligibility, Aetna may offer a discount for spouses or partners both on Aetna Medigap plans.
- Premiums have sometimes run higher. Aetna has been priced above some competing Plan G carriers in several markets we've reviewed.
Aetna Plan G Pricing
Medigap pricing varies by ZIP code, age, sex, tobacco status, and the rating method a carrier uses — a single sample rate is not a national conclusion.
The table below shows one illustrative market comparison, not a nationwide average.
The way a carrier prices its policy can also affect how your premium changes as you get older, so the lowest quote today is not always the lowest-cost policy long term.
Example rates for one market/age/tobacco profile, not a national average. Confirm current premiums for your own ZIP code and eligibility before enrolling.
In this specific example, switching from Aetna to a lower-priced Plan G carrier could save $700–$780 a year for identical coverage.
But the gap, and even which company is cheapest, can flip entirely in a different ZIP code.
The only way to know where Aetna actually stands for you is to compare quotes from several Plan G insurers licensed in your area.
Pros and Cons
Aetna Plan G Pros
- Standardized, comprehensive coverage. Same Plan G benefits as any other carrier's Plan G in most states.
- No provider network. Use any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, nationwide.
- Covers Part B excess charges. Protects you if a provider charges above the Medicare-approved rate.
- Recognizable, well-capitalized insurer. Backed by CVS Health with strong financial ratings.
- Household discount and ancillary options may be available. Worth confirming for your state — not every carrier offers these.
Aetna Plan G Cons
- Premiums have sometimes run higher. In the markets we've reviewed, Aetna hasn't typically been the cheapest Plan G option.
- Rates can still increase over time. No Medigap carrier can promise otherwise.
- No dental, vision, hearing, or drug coverage in the core policy. Those require separate coverage.
- Brand recognition isn't a coverage advantage. In most states, paying a higher premium for Plan G doesn't buy richer standardized medical benefits.
Because Plan G's benefits are standardized, we generally wouldn't recommend paying a meaningfully higher premium for Aetna's name alone.
The case for Aetna comes down to price competitiveness in your ZIP code, not richer coverage.
What Aetna Plan G Covers — and What It Doesn't
Once Original Medicare pays its share of a Medicare-approved service, Plan G helps cover most of the remaining Medicare cost sharing.
- Part A hospital coinsurance and the Part A deductible
- Part B coinsurance (the 20% Original Medicare doesn't pay)
- Part B excess charges
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- 80% of foreign travel emergency care, up to plan limits
The main Medicare cost-sharing amount Plan G doesn't cover is the annual Part B deductible — $283 in 2026.
Once you meet the Part B deductible, Plan G covers the remaining Medicare-approved cost sharing that Plan G is designed to pay.
Plan G also doesn't include dental, vision, hearing, or prescription drug coverage — those need separate policies.
That means a Part D plan for drugs, and a standalone or add-on dental/vision/hearing product where one is available in your area.
How We Think About Rate Increases
Medigap premiums can increase over time, and Aetna is no exception.
What we look at isn't whether increases happen, but how the block has trended historically and how Aetna's current premium compares to competitors after those increases are factored in.
A lower starting premium that increases faster can end up costing more over several years than a higher starting premium with a steadier history — so a single year's rate isn't the whole picture.
Past rate history can provide useful context, but it can't predict what a carrier will charge in the future.
A Recent Comparison We Completed
In one recent comparison we completed for a non-tobacco female applicant, age 65, in Dallas County, Texas, we quoted Aetna, Humana, and BCBS of Texas Plan G side by side.
Rates quoted July 2026. Rates shown are per applicant.
Aetna's quote was $226/month per applicant, the highest of the three.
Humana quoted $197/month per applicant for the identical standardized coverage — about $348/year less per applicant.
This is one specific comparison, not a nationwide result.
We're including it as a concrete illustration of how the same benefit can price differently across carriers in a single market, not a claim about which carrier is cheapest everywhere.
5 Questions to Ask Before Buying Aetna Plan G
- How does Aetna's premium in my ZIP code compare with at least two other Plan G carriers?
- Am I eligible for Aetna's household discount, and how much does it actually save?
- What has Aetna's rate history looked like for Plan G policyholders in my state?
- Are dental, vision, or hearing options available with Aetna in my state, and would a standalone policy cost less?
- Am I in a guaranteed-issue window, or will I need to answer health questions to switch later?
Is Aetna Plan G Worth It?
Aetna tends to make sense for people who specifically want the CVS Health-backed brand, may qualify for a household discount, or find that Aetna is actually competitive once they compare quotes in their own ZIP code.
If your priority is the lowest possible premium for identical Plan G coverage, or you haven't yet compared Aetna against at least two other carriers in your area, it's worth shopping further before enrolling.
Because the medical benefits of Plan G are standardized, we focus primarily on premium, discounts, underwriting, company strength, and rate history when weighing Aetna against another carrier.
If Aetna is priced close to another financially strong carrier in your area, choosing Aetna may be reasonable if you prefer the company or qualify for a valuable household discount.
If Aetna costs materially more for the same Plan G benefits, we'd want a specific reason to justify paying the difference.
Otherwise, a lower-priced carrier with comparable financial strength and a reasonable rate history may provide better value.
The important point is that there isn't one universally "best" Plan G company — the best value depends on the carriers and rates available where you live.
How to Apply for Aetna Plan G
Eligibility and underwriting depend on your timing — during a Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue situation, you generally can't be denied or charged more for your health.
Outside those protections, medical underwriting may apply depending on your state and situation.
We can help you compare Aetna's current rate against other Plan G carriers licensed in your ZIP code and walk you through enrollment either way.
Bottom Line
Aetna is a well-established Medicare Supplement insurer, and its Plan G provides the same standardized medical benefits as other Plan G policies available in most states.
That means the key question isn't whether Aetna Plan G provides good coverage — it does.
The more important question is whether Aetna is competitively priced for that coverage where you live.
In several markets we've reviewed, Aetna has been priced above other Plan G carriers offering the same core benefits.
But Medigap rates vary significantly by location and applicant characteristics, so Aetna can still be competitive in some areas.
Before enrolling, compare Aetna with at least two other Plan G insurers available in your ZIP code.
Look beyond the company name and compare current premium, discounts, underwriting requirements, financial strength, and rate history.
