Which health insurance company is the best option for you and your family? Compare WellCare and Aetna side by side.
SmartFinancial Offers Unbiased, Fact-based Information. Our fact-checked articles are intended to educate insurance shoppers so they can make the right buying decisions. Learn More
In 1985, Wellcare began as a Medicaid provider for the state of Florida, with operations in Tampa, Florida. After the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 was passed, WellCare began offering Medicare Part C, now called Medicare Advantage. In 2003, it offered Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage. In 2004, Wellcare went public. In November 2013, WellCare appointed Chairman David Gallitano to serve as interim CEO. He increased spending on technology and famously dorned the walls with photographs and portraits of health plan members, including people who suffer from chronic conditions like cancer, homelessness and hunger. In 2014, WellCare hired Kenneth Burdick as the new CEO and board member. He’d originally joined the company as the president of national health plans but was promoted first to president and COO and eventually CEO. In September 2017, Wellcare announced a rebrand with a focus on holistic health: “Beyond Healthcare: A Better You.” In October 2017, Wellcare announced the UNC Health Alliance primary care physicians and specialists into its Medicare Advantage network. Wellcare operates in 20 states and was recognized by Fortune Magazine as One of the World’s Most Admired Companies in January 2018. In January 2020, Wellcare was acquired by Centene Corporation.
In 2017, Aetna sold its group life and disability businesses to The Hartford for $1.45 billion. Aetna also responded to hurricane season with donations exceeding $470,000 in Texas, Louisiana, and parts of the Caribbean. The company also matched donations from associates that totalled more than $230,000. Aetna is acquired by CVS Health Corporation at the end of 2017.
In 2018, The Aetna Foundation focused on the fight against the opioid epidemic in the U.S. with grants totalling $6 million. In collaboration with U.S News & World News, the Aetna Foundation reveals the Healthiest Communities from 3,000 communities nationwide, across 10 categories.
To learn more about each company, you can check out the WellCare Overview and Aetna Overview.
Which health insurance company is better? We've made it easy to compare companies side by side. See how WellCare and Aetna ranked among the industry ratings.
Comparison | WellCare | Aetna |
---|---|---|
Year Founded | 1985 | 1853 |
Medicare Star Rating | 3.57 stars (out of 5) | |
BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
NAIC Complaint Index | 6.27 for individual health insurance | |
Market Share Percentage | 4.53% | |
Financial Strength | Excellent |
The MyWellCare app allows you to keep track of your benefits, look for providers, and use it as a digital ID Card.
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.
WellCare Mobile App | ||
---|---|---|
iOS | 1.7 | 53 users |
Android | 2.3 | 209 users |
Aetna Mobile App | ||
---|---|---|
iOS | 4.5 | 29.3K users |
Android | 3.4 | 2,316 users |
WellCare
You can get several free health insurance quotes with SmartFinancial. For Wellcare enrollment forms visit here.
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 with SmartFinancial.
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 Affordable Care Act plans, short-term plans and medical indemnity plans.
WellCare
Your doctor or care provider should submit a claim to the insurer. You should be covered except for copay. Your insurer will send you an explanation of benefits. If you owe anything, your doctor will send you a bill. If you visit an out-of-network provider, you will not be covered unless it was an emergency. Call 1-800-919-8807 with any additional questions.
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.
WellCare
WellCare received 3.57 stars out of 5 by Medicare’s rating system. It has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Wellcare has a network of providers. To find a WellCare provider or to see if your doctor accepts Wellcare, visit here.
Centene acquired Wellcare in January 2020.
WellCare offers Medicaid and Medicare plans.
Check out our full list of common questions about WellCare.
Aetna
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.
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.
Aetna offers Medicaid plans, which vary according to individual state Medicaid programs and have a different name in each state.
Aetna only covers chiropractic services if they are deemed necessary. For instance, if the member has a neuromusculoskeletal disorder and the need for treatment is clearly documented and improvement is documented within the first two weeks of service.
Check out our full list of common questions about Aetna.
WellCare Contact Info | |
---|---|
Address | P.O. Box 31370 |
Phone | 1 (800) 960-2530 |
Website | https://www.wellcare.com/ |
https://www.facebook.com/WellCareHealthPlans/ | |
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpI5y9aJ895uevK-EAG67eA |
https://twitter.com/PlansWellcare | |
https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellcare/ |
Aetna Contact Info | |
---|---|
Address | 151 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT 06156 |
Phone | 1 (800)-872-3862 |
Website | https://www.aetna.com/ |
https://www.facebook.com/aetna/ | |
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/aetna |
https://twitter.com/Aetna | |
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aetna/ |
Answer a few questions and let Penny find the best rates in your area.