Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) in Gaston County, North Carolina — 2026 plan details
Last updated Jul 18, 2026
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward
Published by Senior Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0
Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) (H5521-081) is a $0-premium Medicare Advantage PPO from CVS Health Corporation available in Gaston County, North Carolina in 2026, with a 4.5-star overall rating, a $5,900 in-network out-of-pocket maximum, and a $500 annual Part D drug deductible.
Plan facts (CMS CY2026 Landscape file)
| Organization | CVS Health Corporation |
|---|---|
| Plan name | Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) |
| Contract ID | H5521 |
| Plan ID | 081 |
| Segment ID | 0 |
| Contract year | 2026 |
| Contract category | MA-PD |
| Plan type | PPO |
| SNP | No |
| Monthly consolidated premium | $0.00 |
| Part C premium | $0.00 |
| Part D basic premium | $0.00 |
| Part D total premium | $0.00 |
| Annual Part D deductible | $500.00 |
| Maximum out-of-pocket (in-network) | $5900.00 |
| Overall star rating | 4.5 |
How this plan is structured
- $0 consolidated premium. A $0 or near-$0 consolidated premium does not remove the Part B premium — the standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 per month and still applies. See the 2026 Medicare Part B premium.
- PPO plan type. Plan-type rules determine in-network use and referrals. See how Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans differ.
- $5,900 in-network out-of-pocket maximum. The MOOP is the annual cap on what a member pays in-network for covered Part A and Part B services. See how the Medicare Advantage MOOP works.
- Service area = Gaston County. Medicare Advantage plans are sold by service area; moving out of the plan's service area triggers a Special Enrollment Period to switch plans. See how moving changes your Medicare options.
How it compares in Gaston County
The CMS CY2026 Landscape file lists 80 Medicare Advantage plans in Gaston County, North Carolina, of which 7 carry a 5.0-star overall rating and 40 have a $0 consolidated monthly premium. Consolidated premiums range from $0.00 to $255.00 per month, and in-network out-of-pocket maximums range from $3000.00 to $9250.00.
Other 5.0-star Medicare Advantage plans in Gaston County (first three alphabetically):
| Plan | Organization | Premium | MOOP |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEVOTED C-SNP PLUS 015 NC (HMO C-SNP) | Devoted Health, Inc. | $36.20 | $9250.00 |
| DEVOTED C-SNP PREMIUM 016 NC (HMO C-SNP) | Devoted Health, Inc. | $36.20 | $4900.00 |
| DEVOTED DUAL 009 NC (HMO D-SNP) | Devoted Health, Inc. | $36.20 | $6750.00 |
For the full county plan directory, see all Medicare plans in Gaston County, North Carolina.
How to verify your doctors take this plan
Network participation changes throughout the year; we hold no provider-network data, so verify directly with these three sources before you decide:
- Open the plan's official Medicare.gov page and use its provider-directory link: Medicare.gov Plan Finder — H5521-081.
- Call the plan (CVS Health Corporation) using the member-services number listed on that plan page and ask whether each doctor, hospital, and pharmacy is in-network for 2026.
- Get free, unbiased help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — see free unbiased Medicare help from SHIP.
What H5521-081 means
CMS assigns every Medicare Advantage and Part D offering a plan identifier made of three parts. In H5521-081, the leading H marks the contract type (H = Medicare Advantage / Part C contract), the four digits 5521 are the contract number issued to the organization, and the three-digit 081 is the plan benefit package under that contract. The segment ID 0 identifies the service-area segment within the plan (0 = the default single segment).
Frequently asked questions
Is Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) an HMO or PPO?
Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) is a PPO Medicare Advantage plan.
Does Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) include prescription drug coverage?
Yes — Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) is a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage (MA-PD) and a $500.00 annual Part D drug deductible for 2026.
What is the maximum out-of-pocket cost for Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO)?
The 2026 in-network maximum out-of-pocket limit for Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) is $5900.00, per the CMS CY2026 Landscape file.
What counties offer Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) (H5521-081)?
Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO) (H5521-081) is offered in 29 North Carolina counties: Alamance County, Alexander County, Anson County, Burke County, Cabarrus County, Caldwell County, Caswell County, Catawba County, Cleveland County, Cumberland County, Davidson County, Davie County, Forsyth County, Gaston County, Guilford County, Iredell County, Johnston County, Lincoln County, McDowell County, Mecklenburg County, Orange County, Person County, Randolph County, Rockingham County, Rowan County, Stanly County, Stokes County, Union County, and Yadkin County.
Sources
- CMS, Plan Year 2026 Medicare Advantage & Part D Landscape source file (March 2026) — retrieved 2026-07-18. Overall star rating year: 2026.
- Medicare.gov Plan Finder — compare plans and enroll.