Aetna vs. Blue Cross: Policy Types

When you shop on the health insurance marketplaces, you’ll see different types of plans, which vary i𓂃n how much they cover and which doctors you can see.

Metal Levels

Health insurance plans on the marketplace are grouped into 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:four main levels: bronze, silver, gold, and platin🗹um. There’s also a fifth level called catastrophic, which is for people under 30 as well as low-income individua🌠ls if they meet certain criteria. 

These levels show how you and the insurance company split the costs. Bronze plans have low premiums but you’ll pay more when you get care, while platinum plans have high🐼 premiums but the insurance company will cover more of your expenses.

Provider Networks

• Health maintenance organization (HMO): You can only see doctors in your network, except in emergencies. You’ll also need a referral from your primary doctor to see a specialist. HMOs are usually the cheapest option.
• Exclusive provider organization (EPO): Like an HMO, you need to stay in-network. But you can usually see specialists without a referral. EPOs might cost more than HMOs.
• Preferred provider organization (PPO): You can see doctors outside your network, but you’ll pay more out of pocket. PPOs typically have higher costs than HMOs and EPOs.

Policy Types Comparison

Aetna and BCBS both offer HMO, EPO, and PPO plans on the health insurance marketplaces. However, BCBS has more metal types, including 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:catastrophic, bronze, expanded bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Aetna only has expanded bronze, silver, and gold. Both companies sell Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), Medicare Part D, and Medicaꦦre Advantage plans.

Aetna vs. Blue Cross: Price Comparison 

Overall, Blue Cross Blue Shield has lower costs than Aetna for its ACA plans. Investopedia analyzed a combination of individual and family premiums, deductibles, 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:out-of-pocket limits, and copays for plans on the federal and a selection of state marketplaces. But the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:cost of health insurance depends on your age, loca🍷tion, planꦡ type, and other factors, so you may find different results when shopping for yourself.

Price Comparison

Here are the average costs for each company’s plans on the federal Marketplace.

Aetna vs. Blue Cross Blue Shield: Availability

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers🌳 ACA health plans in many more states than Aet🍬na. If you travel a lot, both companies offer some coverage outside your home state. 

Aetna lets you use your insurance at any CVS MinuteClinic nationwide. BCBS has the BlueCard program. If you travel to another state where BCBS has a plan, you can get in-network prices for doctor and hospital visits.

Medicare Advantage: Aetna vs. Blue Cross Blue Shiel𒁏d

Private insurance companies offer 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Medicare Advantage plans as an alternative to Original Medicare. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll get health care coverage through that company instead of Orig𓃲inal Medicare.

Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield both offer Medicare Advantage plans in most states. Aetna has a broader reach, covering 49 states plus Washington, D.C. Aetna has a slightly higher Medicare star rating and lower average premiums, but BCBS has lower drug deductibles.

Aetna vs. Blue Cros꧒s Blue Shield: Policy Management

Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield🍃 both provide online tools and 🉐apps to help you manage your health insurance.

Aetna Policy Management

The Aetna Health app provides access to key health and benefits information. You can retrieve digital ID cards, review plan coverage details, and monitor deductible progress. The app also lets you pay claims. Provider searches are also available, allowing you to locate in-network health care professionals by locatio🤡n or specialty. Aetna Health has a weighted 4.7 out of 5 rating on the Google Play and Apple App stores.

Blue Cross Policy Management

Online tools vary for each BCBS licensee. Generally, you can expect to ma🌊nage claims, check ded🗹uctible and out-of-pocket limits, find health care providers, and compare drug prices, but the specific features and user experience will depend on your local affiliate. The various apps average a 4.2 out of 5 on the Google Play and Apple App stores.

Aetna vs. Blue Cros🐻s Blue Shield: Customer Experience

Taking each insurer’s market share into account, Aetna has a lower complaint rate than Blue Cross Blue Shield. It also has a higher average Medicare star rating.

Aetna vs. Blue Cross: Discounts and Savings

Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield both provide additional savings for their members. Aetna’s partnership with CVS offers several benefits, including no-cost MinuteClinic visits and $3 copays for generic prescriptions at CVS pha🌺rmacies. You can also receive a $25 credit every three months for CVS-branded wellness products, such as cold and allergy remedies or pain relievers (not available in California, Miss𒁏ouri, or New Jersey).

Blue Cross Blue Shield members can access discounts through the Blue365 program. This platform offers deals on various products and services, including clothing, fitness equipment🐓, hearing and vision care, nutrition products, and travel. By logging into the Blue365 portal, you can explore available discounts from partner companies such as LensCrafters and Nutrisys🐷tem.

Alternatives to Aetna and Blue Cross

Aetna is our top pick for customer complaint record and for managing chronic conditions in our list of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best health insurance companies. But there are other high-quality alternatives. Kaiser Permanente is our pick for the best overall company because of its blend of affordability and low customer complaints. Molina Healthcare is the most affordable company.

How We Reviewed Aetna an✱d Blue Cross Blue Shield

Investopedia’s reviews of health insurance companies are based on independent research into costs, customer satisfaction, plan benefits, and medical management programs. We collected data from HealthCare.gov, state marketplaces, the 澳洲幸运5ꦐ开奖号码历史查询:National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Centers for Medi꧑care and Medicaid Services. We also sourced info directly from company websites and representatives.