The bottom line: Aetna’s only Medicare Part D plan, SilverScript Choice, comes with high premiums and low government quality ratings. It fares even worse on member experience ratings and has high complaint rates relative to competitors. That said, this plan might appeal to people who want to pay the same copay/coinsurance regardless of which pharmacy they shop at. Jump to: Full Review
Aetna Medicare Part D pros and cons
Pros
- Simplified pharmacy network: The SilverScript Choice plan has the same out-of-pocket costs at all in-network pharmacies, unlike most competitors that split their networks between preferred pharmacies and more expensive non-preferred pharmacies.
Cons
- High premiums: Aetna charges one of the highest monthly premiums at $126.98, on average, weighted by enrollment.
- No $0 deductibles: Aetna’s only plan, the SilverScript Choice plan, doesn’t have any $0-deductible formulary tiers.
- Low member satisfaction: Aetna’s member experience rating is 2 out of 5, which is below the enrollment-weighted industry average of 3.21, and it has a higher rate of member complaints than competitors.
Compare against other providers
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Part D plans
Compare against other providers
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Part D plans
Our full review
45+ Medicare companies and brands analyzed by our team of experts.
30+ years of combined experience covering Medicare and personal finance.
Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet’s Medicare content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in Medicare. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets. They have been cited in publications including Healthline, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast.
NerdWallet star rating for Aetna Medicare Part D
Aetna’s prescription drug plans earned 2.7 out of 5 stars from NerdWallet. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account premiums, out-of-pocket costs, government quality ratings, customer complaints and more.
Why NerdWallet star ratings differ from CMS star ratings
NerdWallet star ratings go beyond Medicare star ratings developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Our data-driven, consumer-first scoring rubric factors in cost and customer complaints in addition to government quality data. This makes NerdWallet star ratings a more practical tool for seniors looking to find the best overall value.
Government quality ratings for Aetna Medicare Part D
Average CMS star rating, weighted by enrollment: 2.5 stars
Aetna prescription drug plans are rated below the industry average, receiving an average rating of 2.5 out of 5 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for 2027, weighted by enrollment. For comparison, the average weighted CMS star rating for all plans is 3.21 stars.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains its own database of star ratings. Medicare Part D plans are rated on 13 quality measures. (You can find definitions for each of these factors in the CMS Star Ratings Technical Notes.)
These ratings use a 5-point scale where 5 is the best and 1 is the worst. The agency bases its ratings on drug plans’ quality of service and customer experiences, and ratings are updated annually.
You can find a plan’s rating with Medicare's plan finding tool.
Aetna SilverScript Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
There’s just one Aetna Medicare Part D plan available for 2027: Aetna SilverScript Choice.
Medicare beneficiaries with Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) can purchase a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies. The costs and coverage can vary significantly, so it’s important to compare options.
Aetna Medicare Part D plans cover over 840,000 Medicare beneficiaries as of October 2026 — a decline of over 3 million members since 2025.
More Nerdy Perspective
Is Aetna SilverScript Choice a good prescription plan?
Aetna only offers one plan option — the SilverScript Choice plan — and it isn’t very competitive in 2027. It charges higher premiums than many other plans and doesn’t have any $0-deductible drug tiers. Aetna’s overall government quality ratings have gone down slightly since 2025, and its member experience rating is one of the lowest among companies we review.
That said, it’s important to know if and how a plan covers your prescription drugs before making a decision. Check for your medications on the plan’s formulary, and make sure you can afford any out-of-pocket costs before enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan.
Aetna only offers one plan option — the SilverScript Choice plan — and it isn’t very competitive in 2027. It charges higher premiums than many other plans and doesn’t have any $0-deductible drug tiers. Aetna’s overall government quality ratings have gone down slightly since 2025, and its member experience rating is one of the lowest among companies we review.
That said, it’s important to know if and how a plan covers your prescription drugs before making a decision. Check for your medications on the plan’s formulary, and make sure you can afford any out-of-pocket costs before enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan.
Elizabeth Aldrichlead writer covering MedicareHow much does Aetna Medicare Part D cost?
The average Aetna Part D premium is $126.98 per month, weighted by enrollment, according to NerdWallet analysis of CMS data.
Monthly premiums for Aetna SilverScript Choice plans range from $86.50 to $166.60.
Aetna Medicare Part D premiums and deductibles
Here are the 2027 premiums and deductibles for Aetna's SilverScript Medicare Part D prescription drug plan:
Plan | Pricing |
|---|---|
SilverScript Choice | Monthly premiums:
Annual deductible: $700. |
» If you have concerns about affording Medicare Part D, look into Medicare Extra Help.
Out-of-pocket costs
What you pay for deductibles and copays can vary depending on where your medication falls on the plan’s formulary. A formulary is the plan's list of covered drugs, organized by tiers. Having $0-deductible and $0-copay options can help you minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
Aetna’s SilverScript Choice plan doesn’t offer many of these $0 options in 2027. Here's what you might pay for prescription drugs at some common price points:
Deductible
$700 on all tiers.
Average out-of-pocket cost*
$0 for Tier 1 (preferred generics).
$7 for Tier 2 (generics).
$46 for Tier 3 (preferred brands).
*After deductible is met, based on a $15 retail price for Tier 1, $50 for Tier 2 and $200 for Tier 3.
Cost-sharing requirements for higher tiers can quickly get more expensive. As a result, it’s important to check where your medications and pharmacies fall on each plan’s formulary.
Coinsurance vs. copay requirements
You’ll want to check whether you’ll pay a copay or coinsurance for your medications. Copays are set dollar amounts, so it’s easy to see what you’ll pay. Coinsurance is a percentage of the price for your medications, so coinsurance requirements can be more unpredictable and more expensive.
The Aetna SilverScript Choice plan has copays for Tiers 1-2 and coinsurance for Tiers 3-5 in 2027.
You can enter your medications and pharmacy information on Aetna’s website to see which drugs are covered and review your estimated costs with different plan options.
» MORE: How much does Medicare Part D cost?
Aetna Medicare Part D service area
The Aetna SilverScript Choice Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will be available in 22 states and Washington, D.C. in 2027, down from 49 states in 2026.
Aetna’s 2027 Part D plans are available in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Aetna is making significant cuts to its Medicare Part D footprint in 2027, exiting 27 states. If you’re enrolled in Aetna Part D in 2026 and live in one of the affected states, you should have received a notice that your plan is being discontinued. To keep your prescription drug coverage, you must actively enroll in a new Medicare Part D plan by Dec. 31, 2026. You have longer than that to switch, but waiting could leave you with a gap in your coverage.
About Aetna
Founded in 1853, Aetna became a subsidiary of CVS Health Corp. in 2018. The company’s headquarters are in Hartford, Connecticut.
Aetna’s health insurance offerings include medical, dental and pharmacy plans. Aetna offers individual and group health insurance, including Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Are SilverScript and Aetna the same company?
SilverScript is the brand name for Aetna’s Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. SilverScript and Aetna are both owned by CVS Health Corporation.
Read the NerdWallet reviews of these other Aetna Medicare offerings:
Compare Medicare Part D companies
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Part D companies. These insurers offer plans in most states, but specifics may vary depending on your location.
Find the right Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
The interactive tool on Medicare.gov can help you find a Medicare Part D plan that covers your prescriptions. It also helps you compare costs among Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans available to you.
Here are some things to keep in mind when comparing plans:
Check the formulary: Make sure the medicines you currently take are covered. Talk to your health care providers about what medications to look for. You might also want to check for possible alternatives and/or drugs you think you might need in the future.
Look for plan changes: Formularies (lists of covered drugs) change frequently. Your insurer should send you a Notice of Plan Change when the formulary changes. Read that document carefully.
Check the pharmacy network: Most Medicare Part D plans have networks of lower-cost pharmacies. Check to see if the plan's pharmacies are convenient for you. Also, compare prices for using mail order.
You can switch plans during Medicare's open enrollment period, Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Changes go into effect on the following Jan. 1.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
- Simplified pharmacy network with uniform out-of-pocket costs.
- High premiums.
- No $0-deductible options.
- Below-average ratings for member satisfaction.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.NerdWallet analysis of CMS Data. 2027 Star Ratings Data Tables. Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
- 2.Aetna. Aetna Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
- 3.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. PDP Plan Directory. Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
- 4.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY2027 Landscape (202609). Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
- 5.Aetna. 2027 Summary of Benefits. Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
Medicare Part D plan review methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Part D reviews are based on:
Ratings data from CMS.
Pricing.
Out-of-pocket costs.
Formulary tiers.
Member experience.
Complaint data.
We calculate each health insurance company’s rating on a curved 5-point scale. NerdWallet's editorial team reviewed five Medicare Part D insurance companies. We chose companies based on high enrollment and online search volume. Together, these companies cover 87% of stand-alone commercial Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Our research includes at least four major insurers in every state.
These reviews are a guide. We encourage you to shop around and compare several plans.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for Medicare Part D.
Compare Medicare Part D Plans
Insurance company | NerdWallet rating | Average monthly premium | Average Part D deductible | Out-of-pocket costs | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST OVERALL | |||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 5.0/5 | $46.77 | $636.31 | Lower than average | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
BEST FOR LOW PREMIUMS | |||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.0/5 | $7.78 | $700 | Higher than average | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |
BEST FOR NON-PREFERRED DRUGS | |||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.4/5 | $30.40 | $700 | Average | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet |