Aetna will offer Medicare Advantage plans in an additional 358 counties and six states for the 2019 coverage year, the insurer said Oct. 22.
Here are three things to know:
1. The Medicare Advantage expansion marks the largest in Aetna's history. The health insurer projects about 7.4 million more Medicare beneficiaries will gain access to an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan next year.
2. Aetna is entering the Medicare Advantage market in the following states: Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon and Rhode Island. In Minnesota, Aetna teamed up with Minneapolis-based Allina Health to offer Medicare Advantage plans through their joint venture.
3. Nationwide, 15 insurers will enter the Medicare Advantage market for the first time in 2019. Individuals can enroll in a total of 2,734 Medicare Advantage plans in 2019, an increase of 417 plans from 2018.