Aetna Announces 2026 Medicare Advantage Plans

Aetna, a CVS Health company, recently announced its Medicare Advantage benefits for 2026 in a company news release. Upcoming offerings will highlight prescription drug plan savings, Special Needs Plans (SNPs) benefits, and supplemental services.

"We've built our plans around what matters most to our members — access, simplicity and care that meets them where they are," Jeff Fernandez, president of Aetna Medicare, said in the news release. "Backed by CVS Health and our care delivery partners, we are committed to supporting our members at every point in their health care journey, whether it's in the doctor's office, at home or at the pharmacy."

Prescription drug coverage highlights

2026 Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans will be available to the 57 million eligible beneficiaries living in 43 states plus Washington, D.C. Specifically:

• $2,100 out-of-pocket maximum for members
• $0 coverage on up to a 100-day supply Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs, for 98% of current General Enrollment MAPD members
• $0 copay for most adult vaccines

Members will have access to multiple pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart as well as grocers such as Kroger, Albertsons and H-E-B

Prescription costs can also be managed through a prescription payment plan, which is free to join.

Preventative services

• $0 copays for annual physicals, mammograms, colonoscopies, and routine eye and hearing exams
• Some plans will offer $0 copays for primary care visits and labs

SNP coverage

There are three types of SNPs offered under Medicare Advantage:

1. Chronic condition SNPs (C-SNPs) are for members with chronic conditions including diabetes and chronic heart failure.
2. Dual eligible SNPs (D-SNPs) are for members with both Medicare and eligibility, who tend to have lower incomes and more functional and cognitive impairments.
3. Institutional SNPs (I-SNPs) are for members who require services at a long-term care facility for more than 90 days.

Aetna will offer benefits for C-SNPs and D-SNPs.

Aetna beneficiaries on an SNP can use the Extra Benefits Card, which comes with an allowance for groceries, personal care products, transportation and utilities. There are more than 70,000 participating locations that will accept the card.

In 2026, Aetna is expanding C-SNPs to 18 states, 16 of which are new. Members can expect $0 copays for primary care and select specialists, plus dental, vision and hearing benefits, as well as $0 Tier 1 drug copays.

D-SNP coverage will be available in 119 new counties in 2026, with all D-SNP members receiving a monthly allowance on an Extra Benefits Card. The allowance can be used on groceries, personal care products, transportation and utilities. All D-SNP members will also qualify for $0 Tier 1 drug copays and $0 Tier 2 drug copays for up to a 100-day supply.

Expanding some benefits, yet eliminating others

Aetna’s latest announcement comes after a separate Aetna announcement in August stating they would be eliminating nearly 90 Medicare Advantage plans across 34 states in 2026. Most eliminated plans are Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), which tend to offer more flexibility for members but come at a higher cost to insurers.

UnitedHealthcare also announced they will discontinue select plans in 2026, impacting an estimated 600,000 members. Bobby Hunter, CEO of government programs at UnitedHealthcare, cited funding cuts and rising healthcare costs as reasons behind the termination.

The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7, 2025. Those interested can visit AetnaMedicare.com or call 1-844-588-0041.