at a glance
Aetna is one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States. In addition to Aetna’s Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement plans, they also sell three standalone Medicare Part D plans.
Each Part D plan provides a different level of drug coverage. Copays also differ. The Part D plans Aetna offers vary in each ZIP code throughout the country
In this article, we’ll go over Aetna’s Part D plan options for 2022.
Aetna’s three Part D plans are:
- SilverScript Smart Rx
- SilverScript Choice
- SilverScript Plus
The plans available in your area of residence, as well as the costs you’ll pay for prescriptions, may vary.
Aetna’s three Part D plans each have a different formulary. A formulary is a list of covered prescription drugs. Formularies place medications into tiers, or levels. The medications offered in each tier have different costs. Typically, drugs on lower tiers cost less than those on higher tiers.
Here’s a typical example of how the tier levels break down in some Medicare Part D drug plans:
- Tier 1: generic medications
- Tier 2: brand-name and generic medications
- Tier 3: nonpreferred brand-name medications
- Tier 4: higher-cost prescription drugs and some specialty medications
- Tier 5: highest-cost specialty medications
Next, we’ll look more closely at each of Aetna’s Part D plans.
SilverScript Smart Rx
This is Aetna’s most budget-friendly prescription drug plan. It provides coverage for a wide range of tier 1 generic drugs with a $0 copay. The monthly premium is $7.15 on average in most ZIP codes where it is offered.
SilverScript Choice
This plan covers a wide range of tier 1 generic and tier 2 brand-name medications. It has a $0 copay for tier 1 drugs. Copays for tier 2 drugs and higher vary by medication and location.
SilverScript Plus
This plan is Aetna’s most inclusive and most expensive offering. It has a $0 deductible for all tiers, including specialty drugs. The copay for tier 1 drugs is $0, and the copay for tier 2 drugs is $2 or less.
SilverScript Plus also includes extras, such as discounts on supplements and vitamins.
This plan also provides gap coverage, making it a good choice for people who need one or more expensive medications. The coverage gap (donut hole) refers to a temporary limit in a drug plan’s coverage. In 2022, this period begins once you and your plan have spent a total of $4,430 on covered medications during the year.
Aetna’s Part D plans have costs including deductibles, monthly premiums, and drug copays. These costs vary from plan to plan and from location to location.
In the table below, we compare an average estimate of costs in 2022 for each plan from across the country. Your individual costs will be based on the medications you take and your zip code.
| SilverScript Smart Rx | SilverScript Choice | SilverScript Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $6.50-$7.80+ (by ZIP code) | $27-$40+ (by ZIP code) | approx $70-90+ (by ZIP code) |
| Annual deductible: tier 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Annual deductible: tiers 2–5 | $480 | $480 | $0 |
| Copay: tier 1 | $1 retail (preferred) $3 mail order | $0 retail (preferred) $0 mail order | $0 retail (preferred) $0 mail order |
| Copay: tier 2 | $19 retail (preferred) $57 mail order | $5 retail (preferred) $15 mail order | $2 retail (preferred) $0 mail order |
| Copay: tier 3 | $46 retail (preferred) $138 mail order | 17% retail (preferred) 17% mail order | $47 retail (preferred) $120 mail order |
| Copay: tier 4 | 49% retail (preferred) 49% mail order | 37% retail (preferred) 37% mail order | 33% retail (preferred) 50% mail order |
| Copay: tier 5 | 25% retail (preferred) N/A mail order | 25% retail N/A mail order | 33% retail (preferred) N/A mail order |
By entering your ZIP code into Medicare’s plan finder tool, you can compare the various plans available in your area.
How do I check which medications are covered by Aetna prescription drug benefits?
When you shop for an Aetna Part D plan, you have the option of entering your medications into an online search tool, so you can determine if your medications are covered or not.
If you prefer, you can call Aetna at 1-855-335-1407 (TTY: 711) to discuss each plan and your potential prescription drug coverage.
How do I find a Aetna Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan or stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan that covers my medications?
If you are currently shopping for Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D plans, you can use the find a Medicare plan tool to view each available plan in your area. You can enter your medications to see which plans cover them and how much they will cost.
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. It helps pay for medications that aren’t covered by original Medicare (Part A and Part B). To sign up for a Part D plan, you must be enrolled in original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans often include Part D coverage. You cannot enroll in a separate Part D plan if you have a Medicare Advantage plan that covers prescription drugs.
Part D coverage is optional. Even though you are not required to have prescription drug coverage, it may make sense for you to enroll in Part D, when you get original Medicare. Delaying Part D enrollment may cause you to incur permanent late enrollment penalties later on.
Aetna is a health insurance company that sells three Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. These plans are designed to offer coverage across many budget levels.
Not every Aetna plan is available in every ZIP code. The costs for monthly premiums, copays, and deductibles vary from plan to plan and from location to location.
The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
