Kaiser Permanente vs. Aetna

Aetna is owned by CVS Health, which is a much larger insurance company than Kaiser Permanente. Bigger doesn’t always mean better. And more importantly, just because a particular company is large and well-known doesn’t guarantee that its coverage is best for your individual needs.

Below is our review of Aetna vs. Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans in terms of plan availability, selection, quality and cost.

Aetna

Aetna (CVS Health) plan members accounted for 12% of all Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) enrollees in 2024. 

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans using a 5-star rating system. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses the Star Ratings to give beneficiaries with an idea of each insurance company’s Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plan quality. The ratings are issued every year and use a scale of one to five stars, with five being the best attainable score. 

88% of Aetna Medicare Advantage members are part of a plan rated 4 stars or higher for 2025.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente does not sell standalone Part D plans or Medigap plans. The company sells Medicare Advantage plans in eight states and the District of Columbia.

6% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries were members of a plan from Kaiser Permanente in 2024.

Kaiser vs. Aetna: Medicare Plan Selection

Both Aetna and Kaiser Permanente have Medicare Advantage plan selections that include HMO, PPO and POS (Point-of-Service) options, though each plan type isn't available in all locations where the companies offer plans.

Aetna offers Special Needs Plans for dual-eligible beneficiaries (those who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid). 

If what you are looking for is an HMO, PPO or POS plan, either company may suffice. But if you are a dual-eligible beneficiary interested in a Special Needs Plan, only Aetna will do. 

Aetna Medicare Part D plans include a choice of three plans with varying combinations of premiums and deductibles to provide beneficiaries of every budget an option. 

Aetna Medigap plan selection may vary by location, but in most states, the company sells Medigap Plans A, B, C, D, F, G and N.

Kaiser vs. Aetna: Medicare Plan Costs

The cost of Medicare Advantage plans can vary between carriers. Aetna and Kaiser Permanente both offer a variety of premiums in many of the areas where they both offer plans.

Kaiser vs. Aetna: In Conclusion

Choosing a Medicare carrier is all about finding the best coverage for your specific needs with costs that fit your budget and participating doctors and pharmacies that are convenient to you. So just because one particular carrier may look better on paper doesn’t mean it’s necessarily going to be the best one for you.

Helpadvisor.com is owned and operated by Tranzact, the parent company of TZ Insurance Solutions LLC, which is the owner/operator of Medicareadvantage.com and other websites mentioned on HelpAdvisor and which has a financial relationship with some of the carriers listed on HelpAdvisor. This may influence which products we write about, but HelpAdvisor maintains editorial independence, and our opinions and evaluations are our own.