Most Americans now have health insurance that will pay for either preventative care or limited treatment if they become sick. In addition to the private market, health insurance is also available via your employment.

Consider the plan options, coverage limitations, typical rates, and provider network size when you shop for health insurance. Aetna and Cigna are two of the most well-known medical insurance providers. So that you may know which service provider is the finest, we compared the two.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary, Aetna is our top pick, while Cigna is our top pick for individuals and families. While Aetna provides Medicare coverage nationally, Cigna only does it in 13 states.

Various Policies

Aetna and Cigna are comparable in the range of coverage options they provide. Many types of insurance policies are available, including HMO, PPO, and Open Access policies. Plans and included services may change depending on your geographic region.

Aetna is different in that it does not provide standalone health insurance coverage to customers. Medicare and Medicaid are the company's bread and butter because of the government subsidies they provide. Cigna is the superior private insurance provider for you and your loved ones. You may quickly receive an estimate and buy a policy online for either dental plan, or preventative care procedures are covered in full.

Access to more than 93,000 dentists and specialists is included in all three of Cigna's dental insurance plans, which start at only $19 per month. Aetna's Dental plan offer two different plans, with monthly premiums starting at $22. The number of dental clinics in the Aetna network is significantly higher at 250,000.

Cost

Each person's health insurance premium is calculated individually. The price of health insurance can vary widely depending on factors such as the policyholder's age, region, and insurance provider. Selecting a higher deductible will provide you with the most significant premium savings.

Aetna may offer you a $0 Medicare Part A premium if you are eligible for Medicare. The deductible for some insurance is zero dollars. That doesn't, however, imply that insurance is free. Medicare Part B, which includes critical benefits including preventative care, routine medical checkups, and prescription drug coverage, is often offered at an additional cost to beneficiaries.

Cigna's private health insurance plans tend to have more comprehensive price ranges. We gathered some sample quotes for a healthy, nonsmoking 40-year-old female to give you an idea of what you should expect to pay.

Coverage Limits

Both Aetna and Cigna provide comprehensive health insurance policies with generous maximum benefits. Each plan will differ by the maximum yearly benefit and the out-of-pocket limit.

On the other hand, health insurance from Cigna is available in three tiers, each with progressively more comprehensive benefits: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Cigna offers several private health insurance plans in Missouri, each with a maximum out-of-pocket expense.

Availability

The Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans offered by Aetna are available to residents of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. However, enrollment in Cigna is strictly limited. The states of Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia are the only ones where Cigna's private individual health insurance policies are available for purchase.

Policy Management

Both Aetna and Cigna have solid systems in place for managing policies. A free Android and iOS app and a comprehensive online customer portal are available from both businesses.

The myCigna app allows Cigna members to locate providers who accept their insurance, check the status of their claims, examine their spending account balances, calculate how much surgery will cost, and even print out ID cards. Cigna's app is similar to Aetna's. However, the latter allows you to make payments, while Cigna's does not.

The best way to contact either business is to phone their main number during business hours or fill out their contact form and submit it. If you sign up for a Cigna account, you'll also get access to live chat.

Policyholder Experience

We analyzed online customer evaluations from various sources to compare the Aetna and Cigna policyholder experiences. Many policyholders complained about poor claim handling, deceptive costs, and differences surrounding covered services, resulting in unfavorable evaluations for both businesses.

Aetna had a below-average ranking in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Medicare Advantage Study, which evaluates insurance providers who offer Medicare Advantage plans in terms of price, coverage, and customer service.

Enrollment Process

You can sign up for a health insurance plan during the yearly open enrollment period from Aetna or Cigna. You can get an application and buy a plan instantly if you do it online. If you need coverage outside the open enrollment period, you may do so if you have encountered a qualifying life event.

These life changes might include becoming a parent, ending a marriage, changing jobs, or relocating to a different state. When applying, you should be ready to give proof of your life change.