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Quick Answer
For Medicare Advantage, both companies offer broad plan availability, but Medicare Advantage plans are local products.
The actual winner in your ZIP code depends on which specific plans are sold there, not the company name.
For Medicare Supplement (Medigap), there's no single national winner.
Because the medical benefits of a given plan letter are standardized, premium is one of the biggest differences between insurers — though rate history, household discounts, financial strength, and customer service can matter too.
In the real 2026 rates I compared, UnitedHealthcare was cheaper on Plan G in most states, while Aetna was cheaper on Plan N in most states.
I'll show you exactly where below.
Aetna vs. UnitedHealthcare at a Glance
Category
Aetna
UnitedHealthcare
Medicare Advantage
Broad plan availability
Broad plan availability
Medigap branding/program
Aetna-affiliated insurers
AARP-branded plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or an affiliate
Plan G, my 2026 comparison
Lower in 6 of 37 states
Lower in 31 of 37 states
Plan N, my 2026 comparison
Lower in 31 of 38 states
Lower in 7 of 38 states
Aetna vs. UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans are sold county-by-county, so "which company is better" really means "which plans are available where you live."
A handful of things are worth checking before you assume either company has an edge:
Provider network: Both companies offer broad Medicare Advantage networks, but network size alone doesn't tell you whether your specific doctors and hospitals are covered. Confirm your own providers are in-network for the specific plan you're looking at, not just the company overall.
Extra benefits: Both companies commonly include dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits on their Advantage plans, and both offer Special Needs Plans (SNPs) for qualifying beneficiaries. Exact extras vary by plan and county.
Prior authorization: Both companies use prior authorization for certain services on their Medicare Advantage plans — this is standard across the MA market, not unique to either carrier.
Star Ratings: CMS Star Ratings are assigned per contract/plan, not per company, and they're updated annually. Look up the current rating for the specific plan you're considering at Medicare.gov rather than relying on a company-wide average, which can hide real differences between plans in the same company's lineup.
Because availability, network, and extras all vary by county, I'd steer you toward comparing the actual plans sold in your ZIP code side by side rather than picking a company by reputation alone.
Aetna vs. UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Medigap works differently than Medicare Advantage.
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized — every insurer selling Plan G provides the same standardized medical benefits, although premiums, discounts, company service, and pricing history can differ.
What does change is premium, financial strength, and how the company has priced and managed that plan over time.
That standardization is exactly why price comparison matters so much for Medigap — and why I pulled real 2026 rate data instead of relying on a handful of sample quotes.
My rate methodology
I compared 2026 Aetna and UnitedHealthcare Medigap Plan G and Plan N premiums, one representative rate per state, using the same applicant profile for each carrier: a 65-year-old male, nonsmoker, with no household discount applied.
Rates were collected in August 2026.
Rates shown are examples and are not available to every applicant — your own age, gender, tobacco status, ZIP code, and eligibility for discounts will move your specific quote.
Use the numbers below to understand the general pattern, then get a personalized quote for your own state.
Plan G: UnitedHealthcare Was Cheaper in 31 of 37 States I Compared
Across the states where I had a comparable rate for both companies, UnitedHealthcare priced lower on Plan G more often than not.
But several other states, including Montana, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Texas, and Georgia, saw the two Plan G premiums separated by less than $6/mo.
Aetna wasn't always more expensive, though — it had the lower Plan G premium in 6 of the 37 states I could compare:
North Dakota $24.76Mississippi $22.74Kansas $6.83Michigan $5.16Indiana $3.94Nevada $2.11
The overall pattern in my sample favored UnitedHealthcare, but the value of shopping both companies varied dramatically by location — use the state tool below to see your own state.
Plan N: Aetna Was Cheaper in 31 of 38 States I Compared
UnitedHealthcare won 7 states on Plan N, with Oregon standing out at $80.07/mo less than Aetna — Virginia, by contrast, was essentially a near-tie at under $2/mo.
This is why Plan N deserves to be compared separately from Plan G — someone who only looked at my Plan G results could wrongly conclude UnitedHealthcare is the generally cheaper Medigap option.
What the State-by-State Rates Tell Me
Looking at Plan G and Plan N separately reveals something company-wide averages can miss: the lower-priced insurer can change not only by state, but also by plan letter.
Oregon
UnitedHealthcare was substantially cheaper on both Plan G and Plan N.
Mississippi
Aetna was cheaper on both Plan G and Plan N.
Kansas
A small Aetna advantage on Plan G, but a much larger advantage on Plan N.
Texas
Plan G was nearly tied, but Aetna was substantially lower on Plan N.
Virginia
A big UnitedHealthcare advantage on Plan G, but almost tied on Plan N.
Your state can behave very differently from these overall averages — use the tool below to see the actual Plan G and Plan N comparison from my August 2026 rate collection.
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Find Your State
See the full Plan G and Plan N comparison for your state — takes 2 seconds.
Quotes collected: August 2026
Pick a state above to see how UnitedHealthcare and Aetna compared on Plan G and Plan N in my 2026 rate collection.
Alabama ZIP 36104
Plan G UHC $205.24 vs Aetna $247.57 UHC lower by $42.33/moabout $508/yr
Plan N UHC $163.76 vs Aetna $127.53 Aetna lower by $36.23/moabout $435/yr
Alaska ZIP 99501
Plan G UHC $206.80 vs Aetna $238.15 UHC lower by $31.35/moabout $376/yr
Plan N UHC $179.44 vs Aetna $186.18 UHC lower by $6.74/moabout $81/yr
Arizona ZIP 85001
Plan G UHC $227.81 vs Aetna $250.07 UHC lower by $22.26/moabout $267/yr
Plan N UHC $183.74 vs Aetna $180.93 Aetna lower by $2.81/moabout $34/yr
Arkansas ZIP 72201
Plan G UHC $217.86 vs Aetna $224.24 UHC lower by $6.38/moabout $77/yr
Plan N UHC $169.83 vs Aetna $133.45 Aetna lower by $36.38/moabout $437/yr
California ZIP 95814
Plan G UHC $195.28 vs Aetna $224.16 UHC lower by $28.88/moabout $347/yr
Plan N UHC $165.20 vs Aetna $168.27 UHC lower by $3.07/moabout $37/yr
Colorado ZIP 80202
Plan G UHC $230.80 vs Aetna $362.44 UHC lower by $131.64/moabout $1,580/yr
Plan N UHC $199.60 vs Aetna $222.49 UHC lower by $22.89/moabout $275/yr
Connecticut
Plan G No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Plan N No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Delaware ZIP 19901
Plan G UHC $208.90 vs Aetna $220.41 UHC lower by $11.51/moabout $138/yr
Plan N UHC $171.85 vs Aetna $136.95 Aetna lower by $34.90/moabout $419/yr
Florida ZIP 32301
Plan G UHC $271.44 vs Aetna $315.54 UHC lower by $44.10/moabout $529/yr
Plan N UHC $232.10 vs Aetna $210.42 Aetna lower by $21.68/moabout $260/yr
Georgia ZIP 30303
Plan G UHC $223.00 vs Aetna $228.99 UHC lower by $5.99/moabout $72/yr
Plan N UHC $198.25 vs Aetna $149.69 Aetna lower by $48.56/moabout $583/yr
Hawaii
Plan G No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Plan N No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Idaho
Plan G No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Plan N No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Illinois ZIP 62701
Plan G UHC $217.75 vs Aetna $270.14 UHC lower by $52.39/moabout $629/yr
Plan N UHC $202.65 vs Aetna $182.34 Aetna lower by $20.31/moabout $244/yr
Indiana ZIP 46204
Plan G UHC $219.27 vs Aetna $215.33 Aetna lower by $3.94/moabout $47/yr
Plan N UHC $204.33 vs Aetna $170.85 Aetna lower by $33.48/moabout $402/yr
Iowa ZIP 50309
Plan G UHC $197.37 vs Aetna $230.32 UHC lower by $32.95/moabout $395/yr
Plan N UHC $178.53 vs Aetna $163.93 Aetna lower by $14.60/moabout $175/yr
Kansas ZIP 66603
Plan G UHC $230.57 vs Aetna $223.74 Aetna lower by $6.83/moabout $82/yr
Plan N UHC $216.05 vs Aetna $149.86 Aetna lower by $66.19/moabout $794/yr
Kentucky
Plan G No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Plan N No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Louisiana ZIP 70802
Plan G UHC $199.14 vs Aetna $298.55 UHC lower by $99.41/moabout $1,193/yr
Plan N UHC $171.39 vs Aetna $200.50 UHC lower by $29.11/moabout $349/yr
Maine
Plan G No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Plan N No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Maryland ZIP 21401
Plan G UHC $255.87 vs Aetna $300.21 UHC lower by $44.34/moabout $532/yr
Plan N UHC $212.56 vs Aetna $193.59 Aetna lower by $18.97/moabout $228/yr
Massachusetts
This state uses its own Medigap standardization system — a Plan G/N comparison like this doesn't directly apply.
Michigan ZIP 48933
Plan G UHC $198.08 vs Aetna $192.92 Aetna lower by $5.16/moabout $62/yr
Plan N UHC $174.59 vs Aetna $147.36 Aetna lower by $27.23/moabout $327/yr
Minnesota
This state uses its own Medigap standardization system — a Plan G/N comparison like this doesn't directly apply.
Mississippi ZIP 39201
Plan G UHC $223.24 vs Aetna $200.50 Aetna lower by $22.74/moabout $273/yr
Plan N UHC $198.99 vs Aetna $140.28 Aetna lower by $58.71/moabout $705/yr
Missouri
Plan G No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Plan N No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Montana ZIP 59601
Plan G UHC $230.32 vs Aetna $232.49 UHC lower by $2.17/moabout $26/yr
Plan N UHC $200.72 vs Aetna $170.93 Aetna lower by $29.79/moabout $357/yr
Nebraska ZIP 68508
Plan G UHC $244.13 vs Aetna $261.48 UHC lower by $17.35/moabout $208/yr
Plan N UHC $225.22 vs Aetna $185.26 Aetna lower by $39.96/moabout $480/yr
Nevada ZIP 89701
Plan G UHC $240.01 vs Aetna $237.90 Aetna lower by $2.11/moabout $25/yr
Plan N UHC $197.47 vs Aetna $179.26 Aetna lower by $18.21/moabout $219/yr
New Hampshire ZIP 03301
Plan G UHC $219.75 vs Aetna $308.38 UHC lower by $88.63/moabout $1,064/yr
Plan N UHC $204.25 vs Aetna $220.91 UHC lower by $16.66/moabout $200/yr
New Jersey ZIP 08608
Plan G UHC $243.92 vs Aetna $299.88 UHC lower by $55.96/moabout $672/yr
Plan N UHC $208.72 vs Aetna $200.84 Aetna lower by $7.88/moabout $95/yr
New Mexico ZIP 87501
Plan G UHC $187.75 vs Aetna $191.09 UHC lower by $3.34/moabout $40/yr
Plan N UHC $157.63 vs Aetna $107.87 Aetna lower by $49.76/moabout $597/yr
New York
Plan G No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Plan N No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
North Carolina ZIP 27601
Plan G UHC $186.79 vs Aetna $208.25 UHC lower by $21.46/moabout $258/yr
Plan N UHC $176.73 vs Aetna $143.36 Aetna lower by $33.37/moabout $400/yr
North Dakota ZIP 58501
Plan G UHC $279.91 vs Aetna $255.15 Aetna lower by $24.76/moabout $297/yr
Plan N UHC $205.49 vs Aetna $186.34 Aetna lower by $19.15/moabout $230/yr
Ohio ZIP 43215
Plan G UHC $204.79 vs Aetna $216.41 UHC lower by $11.62/moabout $139/yr
Plan N UHC $180.84 vs Aetna $142.86 Aetna lower by $37.98/moabout $456/yr
Oklahoma ZIP 73102
Plan G UHC $227.81 vs Aetna $243.74 UHC lower by $15.93/moabout $191/yr
Plan N UHC $197.47 vs Aetna $168.60 Aetna lower by $28.87/moabout $346/yr
Oregon ZIP 97301
Plan G UHC $246.01 vs Aetna $375.23 UHC lower by $129.22/moabout $1,551/yr
Plan N UHC $193.07 vs Aetna $273.14 UHC lower by $80.07/moabout $961/yr
Pennsylvania ZIP 17101
Plan G UHC $209.67 vs Aetna $212.83 UHC lower by $3.16/moabout $38/yr
Plan N UHC $178.71 vs Aetna $141.94 Aetna lower by $36.77/moabout $441/yr
Rhode Island ZIP 02903
Plan G UHC $199.30 vs Aetna $211.50 UHC lower by $12.20/moabout $146/yr
Plan N UHC $155.99 vs Aetna $130.53 Aetna lower by $25.46/moabout $306/yr
South Carolina ZIP 29201
Plan G UHC $201.28 vs Aetna $211.83 UHC lower by $10.55/moabout $127/yr
Plan N UHC $174.59 vs Aetna $138.53 Aetna lower by $36.06/moabout $433/yr
South Dakota
Plan G No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Plan N No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Tennessee ZIP 37219
Plan G UHC $188.01 vs Aetna $221.24 UHC lower by $33.23/moabout $399/yr
Plan N UHC $171.39 vs Aetna $157.94 Aetna lower by $13.45/moabout $161/yr
Texas ZIP 78701
Plan G UHC $230.71 vs Aetna $236.32 UHC lower by $5.61/moabout $67/yr
Plan N UHC $197.77 vs Aetna $162.27 Aetna lower by $35.50/moabout $426/yr
Utah ZIP 84111
Plan G UHC $228.88 vs Aetna $245.32 UHC lower by $16.44/moabout $197/yr
Plan N UHC $182.06 vs Aetna $169.02 Aetna lower by $13.04/moabout $156/yr
Vermont ZIP 05602
Plan G No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Plan N UHC $287.75 vs Aetna $223.74 Aetna lower by $64.01/moabout $768/yr
Virginia ZIP 23219
Plan G UHC $193.65 vs Aetna $236.07 UHC lower by $42.42/moabout $509/yr
Plan N UHC $166.36 vs Aetna $168.10 UHC lower by $1.74/moabout $21/yr
Washington
Plan G No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
Plan N No comparable Aetna rate in my dataset
West Virginia ZIP 25301
Plan G UHC $212.72 vs Aetna $267.48 UHC lower by $54.76/moabout $657/yr
Plan N UHC $193.20 vs Aetna $179.18 Aetna lower by $14.02/moabout $168/yr
Wisconsin
This state uses its own Medigap standardization system — a Plan G/N comparison like this doesn't directly apply.
Wyoming ZIP 82001
Plan G UHC $227.36 vs Aetna $250.73 UHC lower by $23.37/moabout $280/yr
Plan N UHC $211.50 vs Aetna $179.93 Aetna lower by $31.57/moabout $379/yr
Sample premiums for a 65-year-old male nonsmoker with no household discount. Rates collected August 2026. Your premium may differ.
Want Rates Based on Your Actual ZIP Code?
The sample above shows one applicant profile per state — your real premium depends on your own age, ZIP code, and eligibility for discounts.
My dataset did not contain a directly comparable Aetna Medigap rate for Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New York, South Dakota, or Washington — that reflects a gap in this specific rate collection, not necessarily Aetna's actual state availability.
Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own state-specific Medigap systems for both carriers instead of the standard lettered plans, so "Plan G" and "Plan N" comparisons don't directly apply there.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: How the Coverage Differs
These aren't real client stories — they're illustrative examples of how the two Medicare paths tend to play out.
Hypothetical Example
Nationwide access: Someone who splits time between two states and travels often gets to see any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare with a Medigap plan — no referrals, no network restrictions.
A Medicare Advantage HMO would typically limit them to a local network, with possible out-of-network costs elsewhere for non-emergency care.
Hypothetical Example
Fewer authorization delays:With Original Medicare and a Medigap plan, most services do not require prior authorization. The Medigap plan covers the Medicare-approved cost-sharing remaining after the Part B deductible ( of $283 has been met in 2026.
CMS launched a pilot program in 2026 (the WISeR model) testing prior authorization for select services under Original Medicare in a handful of states, so "never any prior authorization" is no longer fully accurate even for Original Medicare — it's still far less common than under Medicare Advantage.
Hypothetical Example
Predictable billing over time: For someone managing multiple chronic conditions and specialists, a Medigap Plan N keeps cost-sharing predictable — up to $20 office-visit and $50 ER copays, minimal surprise bills — compared to a Medicare Advantage plan's potential coinsurance up to its annual out-of-pocket maximum.
Which Company Is Right for You?
Consider Aetna if:
Aetna offers the lower premium for the same Medigap plan in your area
You're considering Plan N — Aetna was less expensive in 31 of 38 states in my 2026 comparison
The Aetna Medicare Advantage plan in your area includes your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions at a competitive total cost
Consider UnitedHealthcare if:
UnitedHealthcare offers the lower premium for the same Medigap plan in your area
You're considering Plan G — UnitedHealthcare was less expensive in 31 of 37 states in my 2026 comparison
A UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan in your area gives you the network, drug coverage, and cost-sharing you prefer
For Medicare Advantage specifically, I'd compare the actual plans available in your ZIP code rather than choosing by company name — availability and network strength vary too much by county for a national answer.
For Medigap, compare the same lettered plan across both companies for your state, since the standardized Medicare benefits are the same for the same plan letter and premium is often one of the biggest differences.
Aetna vs. UnitedHealthcare: My Verdict
For Plan G: UnitedHealthcare was cheaper in 31 of the 37 states I compared, so it's a strong company to quote — but don't assume it will be cheaper at your ZIP code.
For Plan N: Aetna was cheaper in 31 of 38 states in my comparison, making it particularly worth quoting for Plan N.
For Medicare Advantage: There's no meaningful national winner.
Compare the specific Aetna and UnitedHealthcare plans available in your county based on doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, prior authorization, cost-sharing, and maximum out-of-pocket exposure.
Overall: Don't choose a Medicare insurer because it's bigger or has a more recognizable brand.
With Medigap, compare the same plan letter and actual premium.
With Medicare Advantage, compare the actual local plan.
Questions to Ask Before You Enroll
Are my current doctors and hospitals in-network for this specific Advantage plan (not just "the company")?
What is this plan's current CMS Star Rating, checked for my ZIP code?
For Medigap: what's my actual quoted premium for my age, gender, and tobacco status — and does either company offer a household discount I qualify for?
Has this company's Medigap premium in my state increased sharply in recent years?
Am I within my Medigap Open Enrollment Period or do I have guaranteed-issue rights, or will I need to answer health questions?
FAQ
Is Aetna cheaper than UnitedHealthcare?
In many states where both carriers operate, UnitedHealthcare's Plan G premiums are often lower. Sample national averages show Aetna around $249 per month compared to UnitedHealthcare at around $220 per month.
That difference can equal $348 annually for identical standardized coverage. However, actual pricing varies by ZIP code, age, gender, and household discounts, so local quotes are essential.
Is Aetna available in my state?
Aetna offers Medicare Supplement plans in 44 states. It does not currently operate in Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, and Washington State. Availability can change, and pricing varies by ZIP code, so verification through a licensed agent or carrier-specific quote is recommended.
Which company has better customer service?
Based on NAIC complaint index data, UnitedHealthcare performs better relative to its market size. Its complaint ratio is below the industry average, while Aetna’s is above average. This does not mean Aetna provides poor service, but statistically, UnitedHealthcare generates fewer complaints per member. For beneficiaries who anticipate frequent interaction with their insurer, this difference may be meaningful.
Do Aetna and UnitedHealthcare cover the same benefits?
Yes. Medicare Supplement plans are standardized at the federal level. This means that Plan G from Aetna offers the same medical benefits as Plan G from UnitedHealthcare. The same is true for Plan N and High-Deductible Plan G. However, Medicare Advantage plans do not follow this standardization, as they can differ by state and county.
Is the price difference worth it?
That depends on your priorities. For healthy individuals who expect minimal claims complexity, saving $348 per year can represent substantial long-term value. Over 10 years, that may total several thousand dollars. For individuals with chronic conditions or a strong preference for highly responsive service, paying a higher premium for a carrier with a lower complaint ratio may be reasonable. The decision is less about coverage and more about cost tolerance and service expectations.
For over 15 years, Matt Kiggins has been the senior editor at Simple Advisor, giving detailed advice on Medicare, life insurance, and dental coverage to thousands of clients in more than forty states. His demonstrated expertise in assisting people with their health plan selection is remarkable — it’s evident that he stands out among competitors as the go-to source for knowledge and support.
Matt holds a resident 2–15 Florida Health & Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) Agent License in Florida, his state license number is P116762 (Issued 10/1/2007).
