Blue Cross Blue Shield vs Aetna: Which Insurance Is Better?

People get sick and injured throughout their lives. It’s part of what makes us human.

But it doesn’t mean that huge medical bills are an inevitable part of the process.

Your health insurance should work for you, not against you. And you shouldn’t need an advanced degree just to figure out which plan is right for you.

Take a look at this comparison between Blue Cross Blue Shield vs Aetna to decide which is right for you.

Health Insurance Basics

If you are not familiar with the healthcare system, take a minute to read this quick introduction.

Health insurance helps pay a portion of your medical care expenses.

The amount you pay will depend on your insurance provider and your insurance plan. It will also depend on what medical expenses you have throughout the year.

Health insurance is often offered by employers. If your employer or your spouse’s employer offers health insurance plans, you should start by choosing among those options.

If your employer does not offer health insurance, or the plans they have do not suit you, you can buy health insurance online through the marketplace.

When you are deciding between plans, like Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) vs Aetna, you should consider the network of providers, the cost, coverage, and each company’s reputation.

Keep reading for a deeper look at the pros and cons of BCBS and Aetna.

Network

Both BCBS and Aetna have a network of providers. This network is a long list of all the doctors, specialists, and other health care providers that you can visit.

Seeing a health care provider within the network is less expensive because the health insurance company will help you pay. If you see a provider outside the network, your visit may not be covered by insurance.

So, before you decide between Aetna health insurance and BCBS health insurance, look at the list of providers for each insurance company.

Is your primary care doctor on the list? If not, are you willing to change doctors?

Are the providers within the network convenient for you?

Do the providers have good reviews?

These are all questions you should be asking as you compare your options.

Generally, Aetna is known for having a larger network of providers because they provide nationwide coverage. BCBS does not, so the network varies by state.

So, just because your cousin in Calfornia has a great list of providers, does not mean that you’ll have the same luxury in Ohio.

Aetna has a slight advantage when it comes to the size of the network.

Cost

When it comes to paying for health insurance, we all want the same thing – quality health care for an affordable cost.

Both BCBS and Aetna are well-known, established health insurance companies. Unfortunately, that comes at a high price – literally.

The total cost of health insurance coverage depends on the exact plan you choose.

To get an accurate comparison between the two health insurance companies, you’ll need to first decide what type of plan is best for you.

You can do a direct comparison using an online tool.

On average, BCBS plans tend to be more expensive than Aetna plans. They tend to have higher monthly premiums and higher-deductible plans.

It is hard to make a blanket comparison on price between two health insurance companies. It depends way more on the plan than the company.

That being said, both Aetna and BCBS are on the higher end when it comes to price.

Coverage

Comparing the coverage of Aetna and BCBS is challenging because it varies between states.

If you are getting health insurance through your employer, you can ask about a summary of benefits. This document will share with you what types of medical care are covered and which are not.

For example, a visit to a chiropractor may be covered up to 60% but a visit to mental health specialist might not be covered at all.

Aetna has overall good coverage for medical needs. They even offer wellness programs like gym memberships and weight-loss support.

BCBS also has excellent coverage. They cover mental health services and substance abuse counselling. Take a look at the rehab centers that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Both insurance companies have good coverage for medical care and specialists. To more accurately compare the two, look at a summary of benefits for the plan that you choose.

Reputation and Quality

When you make a large purchase, even if it’s health insurance, you want to be sure you’re getting a high-quality product.

Both Aetna and BCBS have been around for over 100 years. They are consistently rated among the top health insurance providers in the country.

So, how do you compare the reputation and quality of two of the greatest in the industry?

You can start by looking at Aetna vs Blue Cross Blue Shield Reviews online. You’ll notice that on average Aetna has a higher customer satisfaction rating than BCBS on most sites.

What Now?

That was a lot of information. But hopefully, you are closer to making a choice between Aetna and BCBS.

Choosing between these health insurers is going to depend on your budget, your needs, and the plan that’s right for you.

Don’t be afraid to do more research on plan options for each insurance provider and double-check the benefits and provider network.

Blue Cross Blue Shield vs Aetna – Answered!

So in the battle between Blue Cross Blue Shield vs Aetna, it’s a draw.

The truth is that selecting the right plan is the most important decision you can make regardless of the insurance company.

But if your choice comes down to these two companies, remember the highlights from above.

Aetna has a slightly larger network because they are a nationwide company. Blue Cross Blue Shield has a huge network, but it’s dependent on the state.

Both insurances have cheaper and more expensive plans to offer, but Blue Cross Blue Shield tends to cost more.

Blue Cross Blue Shield has excellent coverage for medical expenses including mental health services. Aetna has great coverage too depending on your needs.

So it’s time to make your choice and feel at peace knowing that if anything happens, you can rely on your health insurance company to help!

For more health and lifestyle information, check out some of the other blogs on the site!