Is Aetna health insurance the best? Review 2024
verified information
Information verified by Adeline Harmant
Our articles are written by experts in their fields (finance, trading, insurance etc.) whose signatures you will see at the beginning and at the end of each article. They are also systematically reviewed and corrected before each publication, and updated regularly.
Discover the methodologyDid you know that in Canada, more than 30% of medical expenses aren't covered by the public healthcare system? This can create a significant financial burden for families. That's why having good private health insurance is crucial.
Aetna Health Insurance, a part of CVS Health, is one of the choices available in Canada. In this review, we'll walk you through their plans, coverage, and the pros and cons to help you decide if it suits your needs.
You can also compare Aetna with other insurers and get personalized quotes through our free comparison tool to help you decide if Aetna is truly the right plan for you or if there's another policy that suits you better.
Aetna health insurance: 5 Key Takeaways
- Aetna offers comprehensive health insurance plans.
- It boasts a substantial network of trusted healthcare providers across Canada.
- Its premiums may be higher compared to other providers.
- Aetna expands its reach through strategic alliances with partners like Allianz.
- Compare with plans from other providers and get free health insurance quotes.
Our 2024 review of Aetna health insurance
Aetna health insurance, a subsidiary of CVS Health, offers comprehensive plans tailored for individuals and families in Canada, complementing the public healthcare system like Ontario Health Insurance Plan and MSP in BC.
With a substantial network of trusted providers, it ensures hassle-free healthcare experiences, covering services like physician visits, prescription drugs, dental, vision, and mental health care.
This insurance may be ideal for those seeking extensive coverage and access to a wide provider network. However, it may not be the best choice for budget-conscious individuals due to potentially higher premiums.
While some praise its customer service and coverage, others mention challenges with pre-approval for certain treatments. Overall, Aetna provides robust health insurance with wide-ranging benefits, particularly suited for those prioritizing comprehensive coverage.
But before you decide Aetna is the right fit for you, we recommend you compare plans from multiple providers. While it may seem daunting, we've made it simple for you. You can just use our comparator below and compare the best health insurance plans and get free quotes in seconds.
Compare The Best Health Insurance Plans in Seconds
Pros of Aetna health insurance
- Accepted by a wide network of healthcare providers in Canada
- Offers a 24/7 customer service
- Seamless claims process
Cons of Aetna health insurance
- Premiums can be higher than those of other providers
- Difficulty getting pre-approval for certain treatments
What does Aetna health insurance cost?
The cost of Aetna health insurance will vary based on the plan you choose. It can also depend on the following factors:
- Age: Younger individuals usually pay lower health insurance premiums compared to older people.
- Gender: Women often face higher health insurance costs than men.
- Nationality: The country you're from can influence your health insurance rates, with some nationalities paying more than others.
- Country of Residence: Your location affects the cost of health insurance, and prices can vary between regions or countries.
- Health & Lifestyle: Those with pre-existing medical conditions or unhealthy habits like smoking may pay higher health insurance premiums.
Here is a sample quote for Aetna International health insurance for a 30-year-old Canadian single male with no pre-existing medical conditions:
| Plan | Aetna International Comprehensive Plan |
|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | $350 CAD |
| Coinsurance | 20% |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum | $5,000 CAD |
| Covered Medical Services | Physician visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, mental health care, emergency medical evacuation |
Good to know
Note that before you buy a private health insurance plan for coverage in Canada, you must be enrolled in a provincial healthcare plan based on your location. Private health insurance is not a replacement for OHIP, Medical Services Plan, or other provincial healthcare plans.
To get Aetna health insurance quotes, you must visit the website, look under the "individuals and family plans" section, and find the explore plans option. Once you answer a few basic questions on what you're looking for, you will get quotes tailormade for your needs.
While Aetna offers comprehensive coverage, be sure to shop around and compare prices from different health insurance providers. Use our comparator tool to get hassle-free quotes from Canada's leading health insurance companies like Green Shield and Manulife.
Compare The Best Health Insurance Plans in Seconds
What are the types of Aetna health insurance plans?
Aetna International offers two main types of health insurance plans for Canadians:
- Aetna individual health insurance: These plans are designed for individuals and families who are living in or visiting Canada. They offer a variety of coverage options to choose from, so you can find a plan that meets your needs and budget.
- Aetna group health insurance plans: These plans are designed for employers who want to offer health insurance to their employees. Aetna International offers a variety of group plan options to choose from.
Here’s a quick overview of its categories:
- Workplace Plans
- Individual and Family Plans
- Medicare Coverage
- Medicaid Coverage
- Dental Insurance
- Student Health Coverage
What does Aetna health insurance cover?
Under these plans, Aetna International offers a variety of different coverage options, including:
- Comprehensive plans: These plans offer the most comprehensive coverage, including coverage for physician visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, mental health care, and emergency medical evacuation.
- Limited plans: These plans offer less comprehensive coverage than comprehensive plans, but they are also less expensive. Limited plans may only cover certain types of medical services, such as physician visits and hospital stays.
- Supplemental plans: These plans can be purchased to supplement Medicare coverage or other health insurance plans. Supplemental plans may cover services that are not covered by your primary health insurance plan, such as prescription drugs or dental care.
Let’s dig deep into its Individual and Family Plans and see what they offer.
What are Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Plans by Aetna CVS Health®?
When you choose ACA Marketplace plans, you'll receive far more than what you typically expect from a health insurance provider. You'll gain access to over 160 years of Aetna's trusted coverage expertise, the renowned CVS brand with a strong online and retail presence, as well as the flexibility to select from a network of local healthcare providers and convenient care options.
Aetna’s Individual and Family Health Plans are designed to offer you an extensive array of the benefits you desire. Here are some key highlights:
- Each plan includes coverage for mental health services, ensuring your emotional well-being is well taken care of.
- You get access to a wide range of prescription drugs, allowing you to manage your medications while keeping expenses in check.
- Expectant parents can count on coverage for maternity and newborn care to support this important phase of life.
What’s more? Aetna’s health support centers provide additional care and attention, specially tailored for cancer, joint, and back pain, and a range of other special benefits.
<strong>Aetna health insurance reviews: What do people say about it? </strong>
Aetna's health insurance has mixed reviews from customers. Some customers praise Aetna for its wide network of providers, comprehensive coverage, and customer service. Other customers complain about Aetna's high premiums, long wait times for claims to be processed, and difficulty getting pre-approval for certain treatments.
Therefore, recommend that you compare multiple health insurance plans before zeroing in on one. While this may seem like a time-consuming process, we've got you covered. You could simply use our comparator below to compare the best health insurance policies in Canada and get free quotes in no time.
Compare The Best Health Insurance Plans in Seconds
What is Aetna-Allianz health insurance?
The plans and categories we discussed are offered by Aetna globally. It doesn’t have specific health insurance plans for Canadians, but Atena is expanding its global provider network through strategic partnerships, ensuring you have unparalleled access to quality care.
One of their key strategic partners is Allianz Partners. Aetna’s long-standing relationship with Allianz Partners is based on trust and shared values. You can discover the right coverage through Allianz — the one that meets your specific needs.
- Allianz Partners is a recognized industry leader with global expertise.
- Their extensive network boasts over 1.1 million providers offering direct settlement, multilingual customer services, global telehealth, and more, ensuring you make the most of your new healthcare plan.
Through this partnership, you can get Aetna international health insurance plans offered by Allianz in three easy steps:
- Choose your Core plan (Care Pro, Care Plus, Care) and pick a deductible.
- Add any of the optional plans.
- Choose your area of cover: Worldwide, Worldwide excluding the USA or Africa only.
Aetna-Allianz health insurance Core plan coverage
Care Pro offers maximum plan benefits of €3,703,705, while Care Plus offers maximum plan benefits of €2,963,000. When it comes to Care, it offers maximum plan benefits of €1,851,850. These plans typically cover:
- In-patient/day-care
- Oncology
- Medical Evacuation
- Nursing at home
- Rehabilitation treatment
- Preventative Surgery
- Laser eye treatment
- Emergency out-patient treatment
- Emergency out-patient dental treatment
Good to know
Please that not all three plans cover all the aforementioned services. Only Care Pro covers them all. With these plans, you can get an out-patient plan, dental plan, repatriation plan, and maternity plan as ad-ons.
If you'd like to explore standalone dental insurance plans that offer comprehensive coverage, we recommend that you use our comparator in the following section to get access to the best dental policies in Canada and get quick quotes from them in no time.
How do I cancel my Aetna health insurance?
To cancel your Aetna health insurance, you can either contact Aetna customer service by phone or online. If you are canceling your Aetna health insurance through your employer, you will need to contact your employer's human resources department. Keep your health insurance policy number Aetna handy.
To cancel your Aetna health insurance by phone:
- Call Aetna customer service at 1-800-872-3862.
- Tell the customer service representative that you would like to cancel your health insurance.
- The customer service representative will ask you for some information, such as your name, date of birth, and policy number.
- Once the customer service representative has verified your information, they will cancel your health insurance.
To cancel your Aetna health insurance online:
- Go to the Aetna website and log in to your account.
- Click on the "My Plans" tab.
- Click on the "Cancel Plan" button next to the plan you want to cancel.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to cancel your plan.
Expert advice
Give Aetna as much notice as possible of your cancellation. This will help to ensure that your coverage is canceled on the date you request and that you do not have to pay for any additional coverage. Also, be sure to get a cancellation confirmation number from Aetna. This will serve as proof that you canceled your plan and that you are no longer responsible for any premiums.
How to contact Aetna health insurance?
- For inquiries about Aetna policy, reach out to the Corporate Contact Center at 1-800-US-AETNA (1-800-872-3862) (TTY: 711) between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM ET.
- The Corporate Contact Center doesn't have access to member accounts, but they can provide you with Aetna Member Services contact details.
- To conveniently access your Member Services number, we recommend adding it to your phone contacts. If you're an Aetna member with coverage questions, you can use the Member Services page with your Aetna login for assistance.
