CareSource vs. Aetna Insurance

Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare CareSource and Aetna side by side.

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CareSource vs. Aetna: What You Need to Know

In 1989, CareSource was founded on the premise of providing quality health care coverage for Medicaid consumers. Today it offers one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans. CareSource also offers private health insurance plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace, including Medicare Advantage and MyCare Ohio plans. CareSource has more than 1.9 million members across five states. The company employs about 3,800 people and is considered a nonprofit organization.

In 1850, Aetna Insurance Company created a fund to sell life insurance. In 1953 the life and health divisions of Aetna separated. The company’s first president was Eliphalet A. Bulkeley. The name “Aetna” was taken from an 11,000-foot volcano in Sicily, Italy, which was also the most active volcano in Europe.

To learn more about each company, you can check out the CareSource Overview and Aetna Overview.

What is CareSource and Aetna Insurance Rating?

Which health insurance company is better? We've made it easy to compare companies side by side. See how CareSource and Aetna ranked among the industry ratings.

Comparison CareSource Aetna
Year Founded 1989 1853
Medicare Star Rating 2.5 stars (out of 5)  
BBB Rating A+ A+
NAIC Complaint Index 7.17 6.27 for individual health insurance
Market Share Percentage   4.53%
Financial Strength   Excellent

Pros & Cons of CareSource or Aetna

Pros

CareSource
  • CareSource is one of a few options that lower-income, underserved communities have for a managed health plan.
  • Affordable marketplace plans with different tiers of coverage.
Aetna
  • Aetna is one of the largest insurance carriers and has a vast network of providers.

Cons

CareSource
  • CareSource has a high number of complaints.
Aetna
  • It’s not very easy to buy Aetna Insurance unless it’s offered by an employer.

CareSource and Aetna Mobile Apps Options

The CareSource app allows you to view your digital ID Card, find a doctor, file claims, make payments and more.

The Aetna Health app allows you to find a doctor in your area and see estimates of what certain procedures may cost. You can also view your benefits, review account balances, and manage your claims. The App is available on ios and Android.

CareSource Mobile App
iOS      4 1K users
Android      3.3 397 users
Aetna Mobile App
iOS      4.5 29.3K users
Android      3.4 2,316 users

CareSource and Aetna Enrollment Process

CareSource

CareSource is available through the health insurance marketplace by searching plans here or you can get several free health insurance quotes here.

Each state has its own marketplace. If you’re not sure where to begin, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/. Also, remember that CareSource only covers Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana Georgia, and West Virginia.

Aetna

Aetna is available through participating employers. You can also buy an individual or family plan directly from Aetna, the health insurance marketplace or you can get several free quotes here.

At this time, Aetna offers Medicare, Medicaid, student health insurance and international insurance. For individual and family plans, they offer plans through eHealth, which compares rates from several companies for the Affordable Care Act plans, short-term plans and medical indemnity plans.

How to File a Claim with CareSource and Aetna Insurance

CareSource

CareSource accepts claims in various formats, including paper and electronic claims. Reimbursement is based on the prevailing state Medicaid or Medicare fee schedule. With Marketplace Plans, you can make claims inquiries at (866) 286-9949 (Indiana), (855) 852-5558 (Kentucky), (937) 224-3300 (Ohio), (678) 214 7500, (Georgia) and (855) 202-1091 (West Virginia). Visit your app or www.caresource.com to find the right claim forms for the state in which you live.

Aetna

If you use a network doctor or hospital, your claims will be submitted by that provider. If you see an out-of-network provider, you need to submit the claim yourself. You must submit a completed claim form or alternative documentation via fax or mailing address. As an alternative to sending a claim form, supply a description of services, a bill of charges from the provider and any medical documents you received from your provider.

Common Questions About Aetna and CareSource Insurance

CareSource

What type of insurance is CareSource?

CareSource’s focus is on the underserved population. Most of their health plans have an income cap.

Is CareSource a HealthCare Government plan?

CareSource does offer government-subsidized plans and plans on the marketplace.

How do I know if I qualify for CareSource?

If you qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, you are eligible for CareSource. Your savings on their marketplace plans are also based on total household income. Government plans require that all incomes in the household be taken into consideration unless the person is not required to file federal taxes.

What states does CareSource cover?

CareSource covers Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana Georgia, and West Virginia.

 

Aetna

What type of health plans does Aetna offer?

Aetna offers Aetna Medicare, Aetna Medicaid, student health insurance and international insurance. They offer Affordable Care Act plans, short-term plans and medical indemnity plans through e-Health, which compares insurance partners’ rates for you. Or, you can just visit here for free health insurance quotes.

What pharmacy accepts Aetna insurance?

Medicare Part D plans have a network of participating pharmacies you can find here. For all other types of plans, visit here to find a pharmacy.

Does Aetna insurance cover hearing aids?

Most Aetna plans exclude coverage for hearing aids. Any applicable benefit plan exclusions and limitations for coverage of hearing aids would apply to air conduction hearing aids, implantable hearing aids and semi-implantable hearing aids.

Is Aetna insurance Medicaid?

Aetna offers Medicaid plans, which vary according to individual state Medicaid programs and has a different name in each state.

CareSource and Aetna Insurance Contact Info

CareSource Contact Info
Address 230 N. Main St., Dayton, OH 45402
Phone 1 (937) 224-3300
Website https://www.caresource.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CareSource/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU8XjYqtJ-0
Twitter https://twitter.com/caresource
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/caresource/
Aetna Contact Info
Address 151 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT 06156
Phone 1 (800)-872-3862
Website https://www.aetna.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aetna/
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/aetna
Twitter https://twitter.com/Aetna
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/aetna/

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