Aetna Health Insurance Reviews

I was scheduled for a simple procedure, microdiscectomy, for a herniated disc that has been impinging my left sciatic nerves for over 5 months. Aetna denied my surgery the day before it was scheduled to take place. I have MRIs to prove the problem and have tried three different physical therapy groups over the course of 5 months, done the exercises diligently at home, tried a chiropractor and had three steroidal epidurals with no relief or results. Aetna has delayed my care and has caused me to be forced to live in further pain. Their customer service is useless and has no ability to help their members. We previously had United Healthcare for 8 years and never had an issue with any necessary procedures. I highly recommend United Healthcare and STRONGLY ADVISE AVOIDING AETNA. You will not get the care you need. My surgeon's office said this always happens with Aetna, they currently had received 5 denials from Aetna that same morning!

They denied a $1231 claim for lab work even though the doctor said they covered it for other patients. Aetna had multiple road blocks to appeal and gave me the royal run around for almost a year. All my customer service experiences were atrocious. I switched to a Blue Cross Keystone 65 plan that covers all lab work. They have been very good so far.

Denied prior authorization due to missing PT documents. I've done 6 months of PT. When I got the notes from my physio, my surgeon faxed them to Aetna 3 times. The system kept "glitching" and the appeal was never filed. Ridiculous. Now I'm paying for the surgery out of pocket.

If I could give them zero stars I would. Prior to having 2 tests done, I logged into Aetna’s estimator and used the location of the test and the CPT codes. For one test, the estimate was 1227.00 and Aetna covered only1537.35 For the second test, the estimate was 1128.00 and Aetna covered 1348.54. Aetna $530.89 short in what they should have covered.

I just got off the phone with these folks only had this insurance for 13 days already about to find a way to switch tomorrow. Why do I need prior authorization for prescriptions I’ve had for 9 months or more. You knew what I had going on when you accepted my application so why not automatically approve everything I need. Then I called asking for them to authorize my prescription and the man say, "I can give you a list of providers." I got a pcp and the prescription already. Are you listening? I spent 40 minutes on the phone and got nowhere so then I asked for a supervisor. He put me on hold for 3 minutes. Came back and said 3 more minutes. I said, "Never mind. You have thoroughly proven how inadequate this insurance company is and I will be finding a new provider."

Wish I could give a zero. I am currently stuck with this worthless insurance with my job. I have a rarer condition and they deny everything. Medication, needed MRIs, etc. Before I took my job I checked their stupid portal to make sure my specialist was in network, said she was. Then as soon as my insurance was effective, she now is not in network. Stay the hell away from this insurance. You pay into this crap to get NOTHING!!!

If you have the choice to choose Aetna, I would carefully review their prescription list. Unfortunately, I did not have a choice in switching our Health Insurance provider. The company I work for, I assume, switched insurance to save money, which ends up costing us more in the long run. It depends on who you speak with at Aetna. They are particularly fond of people having their medications filled at CVS, which the CVS is operate as smoothly as Aetna. Now my doctor has to fill out all this paperwork. We have to wait another 30 days to get a response. It’s one thing after another, and just to be clear, I take one medication that’s it not 20, not 10 one and have been taking it for more than seven years, it works. They want me to try their preferred prescriptions, which are not even the same type of medication that I take.

Specialists cost high, OTC last year USD75.00 + USD75.00 help. This year only USD20.00 every 3 months.

One star seems really generous. Constant mistakes over paperwork. Lying about calling providers for you, giving inaccurate information on who is in network. Can't make this stuff up. Wish my company other any other health insurances plans, wow what a disaster.

What a crap insurance company, I work for the company that I got an echocardiogram at and this insurance is still billing me for $1300 for it. My primary care doctor said I needed to have this imaging test done to see why I have chronic low blood pressure but I had no idea that it was going to cost me so much out of pocket, even at my own employer. I do not get this amount of money billed to me after a mammogram, and I use my employer for that test also. As a result of this high bill, I canceled any primary care appointments this year. No thanks, Aetna, you don’t care about healthcare.

Beware. I am beginning to question the reason for spending so much on insurance. I recently visited an in-network urgent care facility. The flat fee for this clinic is 210$ with no insurance. I have insurance and good insurance at that but nonetheless am paying 635$ for the same care because those are contracted rates with insurance companies. I recognize I am paying out of pocket until deductible is reached but this is why insurance is so expensive and the system is so broken. Very disappointed in the treatment and philosophy behind this practice.

How can people on limited incomes afford the new copays for specialists that Aetna Medicare Advantage has put in place? Our specialist copay went from 40.00 to 75.00. This is rotten and ridiculous. They also took our OTC benefits away which we used every quarter.

I've had Aetna as my insurance provider for 12 years. As my body has transitioned from healthy athlete to dealing with chronic illness necessitating surgery - the quality of care from Aetna has diminished significantly. We are currently situated with my second surgery denial and submitted an appeal. As I have spoken to others in my workplace about their health struggles and Aetna making it harder, there seems to be a consensus that Aetna is failing its chronic members. I did not choose this life. I have documentation to warrant a medical need. How bad do I need to get to have non-emergent, progressive degeneration saving surgery? Healthcare needs to change. I can't deal with health issues interfering with my work, relationships, finances, and life on top of proving to an insurance provider (not my multiple doctors) that I have a problem that can be helped.

Absolutely the most garbage insurance I have ever had. Three months and this joke of a company has not covered one basic pain medication cost and I have had to pay cash every-time. Thank god it's nothing major like brain surgery because I would definitely be without a brain 🧠 if I depended on this crap insurance to do the right thing. Stay well away from aetna ever being your choice for health care coverage. You will live a happier life without aetna..

I would give one star if I could: where do I start all insurance companies are terrible but Aetna brings incompetence to a new level, if its this hard for health care works God only knows what its like for members. I can ask a basic question on availability (like requested) as provide my NPI and TIN with my question, then literally get responses that don't address my concern at all but say they need my TIN to answer when I clearly see it in the reply chain... then I provided it and they basically restate my question and provide zero helpful information! If you call please keep your request short and simple. Their staff has no critical thinking skills or maybe they're just burnt out. IDK.

I would have given them a 1/4 star, but that option is just not there. I work in the Health Insurance Industry, and by far, Aetna is the worst of them! From a professional stand point, they are difficult to obtain clear aggregate claims data. From a personal perspective, they state in my plan that Brand, specialty drugs will be a $100 copay, however, after being in need of **, they want to charge me over $7,000. This is insane and contradicts my plan summary. Only save and grace for me, My Aetna plan will end after only having it 3 months! I would tell EVERYONE! stay clear of Aetna, Cigna and UHC, top worst 3 providers! Just awful.

Terrible company. They put me on Wegovy with my previous doctor. I have since moved and have a new doctor and they denied the doctor's claim because they say I have not made progress and do not have a good outcome with the drug. This is simply a lie. It does not account for the fact is most weight loss was under my last doctor. My weight is now rising again but they will not listen. They offer no alternative or help. I'm only still with them as my employer has no other option.

I made a bad bad mistake switching from UHC to Aetna. Now I have to get OTC from CVS 50% more on price, than at other stores except Walgreens. SO the insurance I have must be invested in CVS to force me to use it. Thanks. Can't wait to go back to UHC.

Absolutely worthless, most worthless insurance there is. High drug deductible, can't get my drugs without contacting me doctor everything for a refill. Doctor is fed up dealing with this idiots as much as I am.

Hello, my husband and I switched from Florida Blue Medicare HMO to Aetna this year 2026. I have Macular Degeneration. I have been getting injections for a couple years. Our co-pay with Florida Blue was $465.00 a month. We were a little shocked to find that with Aetna was only $60.00 a month co-pay. My husband started doing some research. Apparently Aetna uses a NON FDA approved injection called Avastin. Which is also considered Off Labeled to keep the cost down. When I questioned the Retina Dr office they claimed this is what your insurance covers. Apparently the patients really don't matter and I find it very disturbing that they will not provide coverage for a better FDA approved brand. As my husband said we will be dropping Aetna ASAP at the end of the year. We would rather pay for a medicine that we know is FDA approved and has the backing of other Retinal Professionals.

Just Google "ghost network". You'd think a major insurance company could keep an accurate record of the doctors they do business with but you would be wrong. Can't find a doctor using their directory to save your life.

I'm heart failure disable woman. I recently switched over, and it's the end of the month, still waiting for my food card and I switched in the middle of january. Now I don't have any food, no transport, I feel 😢 out of options. I feel cheated, hungry. Just heart broken and hungry.

I wish I could give them a -5☆ because they dont even deserve 1☆. It's been almost a year since I have been trying to get medication that could stop me from having a heart attack but due to me being in my 30s not yet 45 I'm denied for medically necessary medication. I have all the medical requirements for it just not yet 45 but my heart failure didn't discriminate against my age. My health issues didn't wait till I was 45 to start but I'm not important enough to get something that could save my life.

Long waiting period to respond. Not enough home therapy for my Mom 3x a week for 15 minutes bunch of you know what. Mom is 91, have been in the hospital for almost 3x and has to be sent home because they say you decline change it respond sooner, more home therapy or right away to rehab would be the best. People say you are great but to me not too great

My physician wrote a prescription for Zepbound but Aetna will only authorize for Welgovy to start out with because it's cheaper. They also cancelled a prescription for a stronger pain med because I had already received a 7 day prescription of another pain medication. It took 15 days to approve an MRI on my shoulder which revealed 2 torn tendons requiring surgery but yet I'm paying for pain meds out of pocket. I regret switching to Aetna and look forward to open season.

Aetna is literally the worst insurance I have ever had. I am trying to find a new job solely so I can avoid having Aetna. They deny everything, don't abide by the pricing in your benefits, have no clue what they are doing, and are a pain to deal with. Last time I called, I asked for where I could find a list of what's considered a "specialty visit," and the girl said, "Umm, I don't really know." That was it, no offer to help, no offer to ask, nothing. My Rx has tripled and cannot be filled at the same pharmacy it was last year (Walgreens, not like a mom and pop place). Just AWFUL.

We used the Aetna website to choose a specialist. The provider we selected was clearly listed as in‑network, but once our new card arrived, the wording had changed to “preferred specialist.” It turns out that our dermatologist at Southern Dermatology is now considered standard, which carries an $80 copay. Ran into same issue with our ENT. This distinction was not obvious on the website when we were making our selection. When we called Aetna to clarify, the representative admitted the situation is confusing and that they’ve received many similar calls. They offered to email us a list of providers, but while we were on the phone, the clock hit 5 PM and the call disconnected.

We changed from Aetna to Humana. All of our Doctors were not in -network. So we changed the Humana. I got a several letters today from Aetna saying our providers are going to be in their network. They had the gall to ask us to change back!! Uh Nooooo! I do not like people playing Russian roulette with my healthcare. We are staying with Humana HMO. It cost less on the co pays and we get $30 each a month in A spending card.

Aetna's goal is to always put customers in distress to avoid cost until appealed by the doctor that the patient life or body is acute danger. They sent any advanced services like MRI or CT scan even if a specialist orders with valid medical evidence. No reason for Aetna to exist in a developed nation like US, go elsewhere for good medical care.

I have had a variety of insurance carriers and Aetna is BY FAR the worst I have experienced. They deny drugs you have been on for YEARS. They also do not cover majority of what other carriers do. I have had so many out of pocket expenses since being on their plan.

I am new to Aetna through my employer. I like to use a locally owned pharmacy and they no longer allow 90 refills on maintenance medications. Only 30 days. I can get a 90 day refill but I need to go through the pharmacy they own. So there is no reason but maximizing profits. I prefer to support my community and will continue to do so even though I will sacrifice convenience. Aetna sucks.

Aetna told me three times on the phone they paid the claim for the procedure to doctor! Due to this I had to pay $2500 dollars. Doctor says they did not! I then asked Aetna for the paper that shows they paid. They put me on hold for 5 min. Came back and said they did not pay due to it is a experimental procedure. I told my Medicare pays it, They advised me they did not. I then gave them the order number for Medicare #**. They then said I would have to fill out a form they would send in mail. One week later no form. Called back. Told it take 14 days to get the form. After I fill it out 60 days they will need to look at it.

Aetna is the worst insurance that I ever have, I have a cervical problem, and I need a surgery asap, and this insurance denied twice already. They do not care about the patients; they care about the money!!!! It's so sad that in this dates, you have to go trough this problems with insurances, my question is, why do you have insurance??? Because when you need them, they are not there for the patient; we are just a number for them. I don't feel my left side, the pain is so strong and I have had two epidurals already, and nothing is working, I can't wait to change my insurance next year. Oh I almost forgot, they send me a letter recommending me an affordable surgical clinic, this is crazy.

The worst supplemental insurance on the planet. Was admitted in hospital for three consecutive days ... Was in semi private room and all discharge paperwork states inpatient stay.... Claim was denied due to being coded for observation. Hospital billing sent requested form as proof... Claim still denied. No supervisors are ever available. Very poor customer service.

Updated on 02/05/2026: If I could give 0 stars I would. Aetna is the WORST healthcare company I ever had to deal with. WARNING TO ALL. Do not use Aetna. If your employer uses Aetna run from that employer. The worst bureaucracy I have ever had to deal with. They DENY DENY DENY. Then they play games with your monthly meds all in an effort to ensure you go there pharmacy CVS. Talk about a monopoly.

Worst health Insurance I have ever had! Don't get stuck with Aetna, you will regret it!!! Weeks to get an approval for anything and even longer to schedule and be seen. I will be switching back to Kaiser.

My company recently switched to Aetna from Cigna. I should note: Cigna was AWESOME. The first health insurance plan that I felt actually IMPROVED my medical care, access, and quality of life. So far, Aetna has been the opposite in every way. It’s harder to find doctors in their database. It’s harder to manage my benefits. Every step of their processes seems purpose-built to complicate and obstruct access to care and coverage. They are a for-profit organization and that is OBVIOUS in every aspect of the way they treat their paying customers. My prior authorizations for medications I’ve taken uninterrupted for years have all been denied. They did not provide a reason, they just denied them. Allegedly they mailed further explanations, but they did so with timing designed to prevent me from reviewing or appealing before I needed to purchase my refills and pay out of pocket.

I was on the phone for almost 2 hours. I got nothing out of it. I got more info from the cvs pharmacy in 1 minutes than this. He would not stop talking, I had to lie to get off the call. This is terrible service.

This is worst insurance company ever dealt with and I am 60 yo and have been covered by corporate group Policies for over 30 years! Plan Document states Preventative Services that are covered REGARDLESS OF amount paid toward deductible. They denied and Customer Service states we have to meet all deductibles BEFORE receiving Preventative Services as defined by Federal Law! Left to Appeal denial and file complaint with Maryland Insurance Commission-MY TIME TO FIX THEIR GREED!

My Annual Notice of Change for 2026 arrived so I called 1-833-570-6670 and was taken down a rabbit hole. The employee asked me for my banking account? I was puzzled? I had my ID member number. Why not that? No, she said needed banking account? Why? So we can identify you? I have my electrical bill? No, bank account. So, I gave it because it's Aetna and they are trustworthy? I'd been with them for 4 years and everything was always forthright, so why should I not trust.