Aetna Sets a Benchmark with Stellar Ratings in Medicare Advantage Plans for 2026
In a recent announcement, Aetna®, part of CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS), proclaimed that an impressive
81% of its Medicare Advantage (MA) members are enrolled in plans rated
4 stars or above for 2026. Notably, more than
63% of their members are in plans achieving
4.5 stars, as evaluated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Aetna's Commitment to Quality
Steve Nelson, president of Aetna, expressed pride in the company's continuous focus on quality care for its members. He emphasized that this success reflects Aetna’s robust operational foundations and commitment to delivering excellent healthcare experiences. Nelson stated, *"This year's Star Ratings reflect Aetna's strong fundamentals and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care experiences and better health outcomes for our Medicare Advantage members."
Aetna's adeptness in consistently providing high-quality Medicare solutions has enabled it to maintain a leading position in the industry. In fact, the company regularly ranks among the top-tier large publicly traded organizations in the CMS Star Ratings.
High-Performing Contracts
Aetna’s remarkable ratings can be attributed to several of its significant MA contracts, including:
- - Aetna Life Insurance Company’s H5522 contract, serving over 1.3 million Employer Group Medicare Advantage members, achieved a commendable 4.5 stars, marking its fourteenth consecutive year of excellence.
- - Aetna Life Insurance Company’s H5521 contract, with 1.1 million Individual MA members across 33 states, also managed to secure 4.5 stars, matching its rating from the previous year.
- - Aetna Health Inc. (PA)’s H3959 contract, which has 210,000 Individual MA members primarily in Pennsylvania and Delaware, earned 4 stars.
- - SilverScript Insurance Company’s H2293 contract, serving 134,000 Individual MA members in Georgia and Texas, successfully repeated its 4-star performance from its inaugural year.
- - Additionally, Aetna Health Inc. (FL) with the H1609 contract, has improved half a star, achieving 4.5 stars for its 132,000 Individual MA members in Florida and Iowa.
- - Coventry Health Care of Missouri, Inc.’s H2663 contract, which has 128,000 Individual MA members across several states, also maintained a 4-star streak for the fourteenth year.
Star Ratings System
The Medicare evaluation of plans is conducted based on a
5-star rating system, which serves as a guide for beneficiaries seeking high-quality health care. The Star Ratings are accessible to the public at Medicare.gov, and potential members can visit
AetnaMedicare.com for more insights on the 2026 Aetna Medicare plans. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, during which individuals can sign up for MA plans, runs from
October 15 to December 7, 2025.
A licensed agent is also available to assist members with inquiries by calling
1-844-588-0041 (TTY 711) from 8 AM to 8 PM daily.
About CVS Health and Aetna
CVS Health stands at the forefront of health solutions, striving to create a healthier community for consumers everywhere. As of June 30, 2025, CVS operated approximately
9,000 retail pharmacy locations, alongside over
1,000 convenient medical clinics. The company oversees a leading pharmacy benefits manager, servicing around
87 million plan members. Furthermore, their comprehensive insurance products reach approximately
37 million individuals.
Likewise, Aetna serves over
37 million consumers, offering a wide range of resources, medical services, and health insurance products. Their offerings encompass a variety of plans encompassing medical, pharmacy, dental, and behavioral health services, enabling more individuals to make informed healthcare choices.
In summary, Aetna’s continuous commitment to quality and excellence sets a remarkable standard in the Medicare Advantage space. With strong ratings reflecting its effective strategies, Aetna remains a trusted health care partner for millions of Americans.