Humana vs Aetna
Humana
Leading Medicare Advantage insurer focusing on senior and individual health plans
Medicare-eligible seniors, individual plan shoppers, and those prioritizing supplemental coverage
Aetna
Diversified health insurer with CVS Health integration covering employer, individual, Medicare and Medicaid
Families with employer coverage, individuals seeking integrated pharmacy benefits, and those needing Medicaid or multistate coverage
Short Answer
Humana and Aetna are both major US health insurers, but differ in market focus and plan offerings. Humana emphasizes Medicare Advantage and individual plans, while Aetna (CVS Health subsidiary) offers broader coverage including employer, individual, and Medicaid options with integrated pharmacy benefits.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedBoth insurers are major players with distinct strengths: Humana dominates Medicare Advantage with superior enrollment and senior-focused benefits, while Aetna offers broader employer coverage and integrated healthcare through CVS ownership. Choose Humana for Medicare optimization or Aetna for comprehensive family/employer coverage with pharmacy integration.
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Choose Humana if
Medicare-eligible seniors, individual plan shoppers, and those prioritizing supplemental coverage
Choose Aetna if
Families with employer coverage, individuals seeking integrated pharmacy benefits, and those needing Medicaid or multistate coverage
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | Humana | Aetna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Medical Membership(millions) | 19.1 million | 23.4 million | -18% |
| Medicare Advantage Enrollees(millions) | 3.7 million | 2.5 million | +48% |
| Average Premium Increase(percent) | 5.2% annually | 5.8% annually | -10% |
| Pharmacy Network Size(locations) | 65,000+ retail pharmacies | 98,000+ (incl. CVS stores) | -34% |
| States with Coverage(count) | 50 states + territories | 50 states | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Score(Percentage) | 3.5 stars | 3.7 stars | -5% |
| Average Out-of-Pocket Maximum(USD per year) | $7,050 (individual) | $6,900 (individual) | +2% |
| Founded Year | 1853 | 1853 | — |
| Total Enrollment(millions) | 47 million members | 47 million members | — |
| Average Individual Premium(USD/year) | $7,100 | $7,100 | — |
| Retail Clinic Locations(locations) | 11,000+ CVS MinuteClinic | 11,000+ CVS MinuteClinic | — |
| US Member Base(millions) | 23 million | 23 million | — |
| Countries with Operations(countries) | Primarily US only | Primarily US only | — |
| J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction (2025)(score) | 74 | 74 | — |
| Plan Types Offered(count) | HMO, PPO, CDHP, Dental, Vision (5) | HMO, PPO, CDHP, Dental, Vision (5) | — |
| Average Individual Plan Deductible(USD) | $1,450 | $1,450 | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Jun 2026.
Key Differences
Humana
Medicare Advantage & Individual Plans
Aetna
Employer, Individual, Medicare & Medicaid🏆
Humana
3.7+ million enrollees🏆
Aetna
2.5+ million enrollees
Humana
Independent publicly traded company
Aetna
Subsidiary of CVS Health🏆
Humana
Partner networks only
Aetna
CVS pharmacy integration🏆
Humana
19+ million members
Aetna
23+ million members🏆
Humana
3.5/5 stars
Aetna
3.7/5 stars🏆
Humana
50 US states plus Puerto Rico
Aetna
All 50 US states
Humana
24/7 virtual care included
Aetna
24/7 virtual care with CVS MinuteClinic🏆
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Humana | Aetna |
|---|---|---|
| Total Medical Membership(millions) | 19.1 million | 23.4 million |
| Medicare Advantage Enrollees(millions) | 3.7 million | 2.5 million |
| Annual Revenue(billions USD) | $89.2B | $156.8B (CVS Health) |
| Average Premium Increase(percent) | 5.2% annually | 5.8% annually |
| Pharmacy Network Size(locations) | 65,000+ retail pharmacies | 98,000+ (incl. CVS stores) |
| States with Coverage(count) | 50 states + territories | 50 states |
| Customer Satisfaction Score(Percentage) | 3.5 stars | 3.7 stars |
| Average Out-of-Pocket Maximum(USD per year) | $7,050 (individual) | $6,900 (individual) |
| Founded Year | 1853 | — |
| Total Enrollment(millions) | 47 million members | — |
| Provider Network Size | 1.2 million | — |
| Average Individual Premium(USD/year) | $7,100 | — |
| Average Individual Plan Deductible(USD) | $1,450 | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Rating(relative ranking) | 7.5 | — |
| Retail Clinic Locations(locations) | 11,000+ CVS MinuteClinic | — |
| Digital Health Integration | Aetna app, CVS pharmacy integration, telehealth | — |
| Geographic Coverage(states) | 49 states + DC (limited in some regions) | — |
| Pharmacy Cost Management | Direct CVS control, typically lower copays | — |
| US Member Base(millions) | 23 million | — |
| Countries with Operations(countries) | Primarily US only | — |
| J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction (2025)(score) | 74 | — |
| Pharmacy Network Integration | Direct CVS/Walgreens integration | — |
| Plan Types Offered(count) | HMO, PPO, CDHP, Dental, Vision (5) | — |
| Telemedicine Availability | 24/7 virtual care + MinuteClinic in-person options | — |
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
Humana
Pros
- Largest Medicare Advantage provider with extensive senior-focused benefits
- Strong supplemental and standalone dental/vision plans
- Wellness programs and fitness benefits included in many plans
- Competitive pricing on individual marketplace plans
- Established brand trust in Medicare segment
Cons
- Limited employer group health plan offerings compared to competitors
- No integrated pharmacy chain ownership
- Slightly lower customer satisfaction ratings
Aetna
Pros
- CVS pharmacy integration offers medication convenience and cost savings
- Largest network of covered pharmacies nationally
- Comprehensive employer health plan portfolio
- Strong Medicaid and government program options
- Higher customer satisfaction and seamless telehealth through MinuteClinic
Cons
- Smaller Medicare Advantage enrollment than Humana
- Premium pricing reflects broader network and services
- More complex plan structures for average consumers
Frequently Asked Questions
Humana is superior for Medicare Advantage with 3.7 million senior enrollees and specialized plans including dental, vision, and hearing benefits. Aetna offers solid Medicare options but with smaller enrollment and less senior-focused specialization.
Resources & Learn More
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