All About Aetna vs. Blue Cross

Aug 01, 2022 By Susan Kelly

Medications, X-rays, MRIs, and procedures are all covered by medical insurance. Most people receive health insurance via their workplace. Still, other options exist, such as the insurance marketplace in your state or a private provider, if you'd like to supplement your coverage. To make an informed decision, looking at a wide range of aspects while comparing health insurance plans is critical.

Blue Cross and Aetna are the two largest insurance firms in the United States. Major players in the healthcare industry include Blue Shield and Cigna. Blue Cross is a better option than Aetna for a private individual or family plan if you're on Medicare. Aside from the fact that Blue Cross has a somewhat bigger network than Aetna, this could benefit some people.

Blue Cross vs. Aetna: Policy Types

PPO, POS, HSA, HMO, FSA, and indemnity plans are available from Aetna and Blue Cross. Because Blue Cross and Aetna have distinct policies in each state, the covered services and treatments will vary.

Regarding health insurance, Aetna does not offer personal individual or family plans. Aetna only sells government-funded Medicare and Medicaid plans and group insurance, student health insurance provided by universities, and overseas insurance plans alone. Blue Cross has a wide selection of products with varying coverage limitations and deductibles in individual private insurance.

If you switch from another Aetna Dental Direct plan, there is no waiting time. There is a waiting period for Blue Cross dental insurance, but there are many other options.

As low as a $25 deductible and up to $2,000 annual maximum benefit are available with Blue Cross dental insurance policies; most states have at least four Blue Cross dental plans to choose from. Aetna offers two plans in most states with deductibles of $50 and maximum yearly benefits of $1,000 to $1,250.

Cost Comparison of Aetna vs. Blue Cross

Every person's experience with health insurance costs will be different. Your premium is determined by the type of plan you select, coverage limit, deductible, age, state, and the insurance company.

With Medicare, Aetna may offer you free Medicare Part A coverage, and some plans also include a $0 deductible.

Blue Cross's premiums can vary greatly depending on where you live, as each state has a separate plan in place.

On both websites, it is simple to acquire a personalized quote. To acquire a precise price from Blue Cross, you'll need to visit the webpage for your state. Instead, you can apply for Blue Cross, and Aetna plans with subsidies through your state's insurance marketplace.

Also, neither provider offers discounted pricing for purchasing a family or couples plan, but a high-deductible coverage can help you save money on your monthly premium.

Comparing Blue Cross and Aetna's Insurance Coverage

Because of the specific policy you purchase, you will have a different out-of-pocket limit for Aetna or Blue Cross insurance.

On the other hand, Aetna's Level 1 PPO plan has a maximum annual benefit of $15,000 for in-network care, while its Level 2 PPO plan has a maximum annual benefit of $25,000 for in-network care. For some services and treatments, there are additional quotas that the individual sets.

State-specific coverage limits apply to Blue Cross plans. A variety of out-of-pocket maximums and deductibility options are available from Blue Cross in most states. We recommend checking out your state's Blue Cross website to see what plans are available and how much coverage they offer.

Aetna vs. Blue Cross: Policy Administration

Standard policy management options are available from Aetna and Blue Cross. As a member of both businesses, you may access your policy information, check the status of claims, and make changes to your plan via an online portal.

Calling the official phone lines for Aetna and Blue Cross during business hours can bring you in touch with customer care representatives. There is no online chat or 24-hour help from any company.

Aetna and Blue Cross's mobile applications, which can be downloaded for free on iOS and Android devices, are a great way to keep track of your coverage.

As a user of Aetna's mobile app, you may search for doctors, examine your claims and plan data, receive ID cards, and even compare the costs of medical appointments and procedures.

Each state has a different app from Blue Cross, and the app's features change. Paying your bills, researching medicine prices, filing out-of-network claims, and contacting a 24-hour nurse hotline is available in some states through the app.

Aetna vs. Blue Cross: Availability

All fifty states and the District of Columbia offer health insurance through Aetna and Blue Cross. On the other hand, specific plans and coverage restrictions will vary by location.

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