Is SilverScript owned by Centene?

No. SilverScript is owned by CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS) and marketed under Aetna Medicare. The confusion comes from the 2018 CVS-Aetna merger, when Aetna's standalone Part D members were divested to WellCare, which Centene acquired in 2020. The SilverScript brand and insurance company remained with CVS Health.

Is SilverScript part of Aetna?

SilverScript plans are marketed under Aetna Medicare, CVS Health's health insurance segment. The plans are underwritten by SilverScript Insurance Company, a CVS Health subsidiary.

When did SilverScript start?

SilverScript launched in 2006 as CVS Caremark's flagship Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the first year the Part D program operated.

How much does SilverScript cost in 2026?

Premiums vary by region and plan, ranging from roughly $22 to $98 per month in 2026 documents, with deductibles up to the federal maximum of $615. Out-of-pocket Part D drug costs are capped at $2,100 for the year.

What pharmacies does SilverScript use?

SilverScript plans use a network of more than 63,000 pharmacies, including CVS Pharmacy and major chains and independents. Preferred-cost-sharing pharmacies offer lower copays.

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

Who Owns SilverScript?

SilverScript is owned by CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS) and marketed under its Aetna Medicare brand. Launched in 2006 when Medicare Part D began, SilverScript Insurance Company underwrites standalone prescription drug plans (PDPs) that pair with Original Medicare. For 2026, SilverScript offers plans such as SilverScript Choice across most states, with premiums varying by region, a deductible up to the $615 federal maximum, and access to more than 63,000 network pharmacies. SilverScript is frequently misattributed to Centene; the brand has never been owned by Centene.

Parent Company

CVS Health Corporation

Founded

2006

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

Hartford, Connecticut, USA (Aetna Medicare operations)

SilverScript Timeline

1963

CVS Health Corporation

Parent company established in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA

Company Founded

2006

SilverScript

Founded by CVS Health (CVS Caremark)

Founded

mid rangemarket leaderUnited Statesseniors-65-plusOfficial Website

Who Owns SilverScript?

Parent Company: CVS Health Corporation
Ownership Type: Wholly owned
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock Ticker: NYSE: CVS

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
SilverScript	CVS Health Corporation	Wholly owned

Where to Buy

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SilverScript on Amazon

History of SilverScript

Founded: 2006
Founders: CVS Health (CVS Caremark)

CVS Caremark launched SilverScript in 2006, the first year of Medicare Part D, as its flagship standalone prescription drug plan brand. The brand grew quickly, becoming the largest or second-largest standalone PDP issuer in the country and accumulating millions of members across nearly every state.

In 2018, when CVS acquired Aetna, the Department of Justice required Aetna to divest its standalone Medicare Part D business as a condition of approval because the combination would have concentrated the PDP market. Aetna's PDP members and contracts were sold to WellCare, completing in December 2019; CVS retained the SilverScript brand itself. From 2020 onward, CVS marketed SilverScript plans under the Aetna Medicare name, with benefit documents listing the insurer as "SilverScript Insurance Company (Aetna Medicare)."

This divestiture is the source of frequent confusion: the Aetna PDP members that went to WellCare became part of Centene when Centene acquired WellCare in 2020, but the SilverScript brand and insurance entity remained with CVS Health.

For plan year 2026, SilverScript offers plans including SilverScript Choice in most states. Premiums vary by region (ranging from roughly $22 to $98 per month in 2026 plan documents), with deductibles up to the $615 federal maximum. Following the Inflation Reduction Act, members' out-of-pocket Part D costs are capped at $2,100 in 2026, and SilverScript participates in the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan smoothing program.

About CVS Health Corporation

What does CVS Health own?
CVS Health owns CVS Pharmacy (nearly 10,000 retail locations), CVS Caremark (pharmacy benefits management), Aetna (health insurance), MinuteClinic (retail health clinics), Oak Street Health (Medicare primary care), Omnicare (long-term care pharmacy), Navarro Discount Pharmacies, Longs Drugs, and Coram (infusion and home health services). These brands operate across three segments: Health Care Benefits, Health Services, and Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness.

Is CVS Health publicly traded?
Yes. CVS Health Corporation is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CVS. The company is a component of the S&P 500 and is owned by institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. There is no parent company or controlling shareholder.

Who founded CVS Health?
The original Consumer Value Store was founded in 1963 in Lowell, Massachusetts by Stanley Goldstein, Sidney Goldstein, and Ralph Hoagland. The company began as a health and beauty products retailer and added pharmacy departments in 1967. It was acquired by Melville Corporation in 1969 and spun off as an independent public company in 1996.

Where is CVS Health headquartered?
CVS Health is headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA. The company's corporate offices, including executive leadership, finance, and strategic operations, are based in Woonsocket, with additional operational offices across the United States.

How many brands does CVS Health own?
CVS Health owns approximately 9 brands across its three operating segments. The most prominent are CVS Pharmacy, CVS Caremark, Aetna, MinuteClinic, Oak Street Health, and Omnicare. The company also operates smaller regional brands including Navarro Discount Pharmacies and Longs Drugs.

Who owns CVS Health?
CVS Health is an independent publicly traded corporation with no parent company. The company is owned by institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders who hold its NYSE-listed common stock. Major institutional holders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Corporation. There is no founder control or dual-class share structure.

What were CVS Health's recent financial results?
For FY2025, CVS Health reported record revenue of $402.1 billion, up 7.8% year over year, and adjusted EPS of $6.75. In Q2 2026, revenue was $106.1 billion, up 7.3%, with adjusted EPS of $2.58, beating analyst estimates of $1.85. Net income nearly tripled to $3 billion. The company raised its 2026 guidance to at least $414 billion in revenue and adjusted EPS of $7.90 to $8.10.

Has CVS Health made major acquisitions recently?
The most recent major acquisitions were Oak Street Health for approximately $10.6 billion and Signify Health for approximately $8 billion, both in 2023. The largest acquisition in company history was Aetna for approximately $69 billion in 2018. CEO David Joyner has indicated the company has the capital and leadership bandwidth to pursue additional deals across its three business areas.

Founded: 1963
Headquarters: Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock: NYSE: CVS
Revenue: $402.1 billion (FY2025); $206.5 billion (H1 2026)
Employees: Approximately 300,000

Visit CVS Health Corporation website

View full company profile for CVS Health Corporation

Where Is SilverScript Made / Based?

Headquarters: Hartford, Connecticut, USA (Aetna Medicare operations)

SilverScript Categories & Tags

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Health Insurance Cvs Health Aetna American Brand

SilverScript Sustainability & Ethics

SilverScript operates under CVS Health's corporate responsibility framework, which includes drug pricing transparency initiatives, medication adherence programs, and pharmacy-access commitments for low-income seniors. The plans participate in Medicare's Low Income Subsidy (Extra Help) program for qualifying beneficiaries.

As a Medicare contractor, SilverScript is subject to CMS formulary, appeals, star-rating, and marketing-compliance rules, and to the Inflation Reduction Act's $2,100 out-of-pocket cap and Medicare Prescription Payment Plan requirements for 2026.

Awards & Recognition

SilverScript plans carry CMS star ratings for Part D plans, which measure member experience, drug safety, and customer service. The brand's Aetna Medicare family has received mid-to-high CMS star ratings in recent plan years, and SilverScript remains one of the most-enrolled standalone Part D brands in the country.

SilverScript Recalls & Controversies

2018 DOJ Divestiture Confusion: The CVS-Aetna merger forced Aetna's standalone Part D business to be divested to WellCare to resolve antitrust concerns. The divestiture created lasting market confusion, with many references incorrectly attributing SilverScript to Centene (which later acquired WellCare); the SilverScript brand never left CVS Health.

CMS Marketing Scrutiny: Medicare plan marketing is tightly regulated. SilverScript and other Part D plans have periodically been cited in CMS audits over marketing materials, call recordings, and broker conduct, standard across the industry.

Premium Volatility: SilverScript premiums have risen in several regions in recent years, drawing member complaints during annual enrollment as Part D plans restructure around the $2,100 out-of-pocket cap.

SilverScript Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+CVS Health's $402 billion scale funds plan administration, pharmacy contracting, and member services
+Aetna Medicare's integrated marketing gives SilverScript cross-sell access to millions of Medicare members
+CVS Pharmacy's 9,000-plus store network provides unmatched fulfillment convenience
+Twenty years of Part D operation provides deep formulary and risk-management experience

Considerations

-Standalone Part D is a shrinking market as Medicare Advantage absorbs drug coverage
-The 2018 divestiture permanently lost Aetna's PDP members to a competitor
-Premium pressure from the Inflation Reduction Act's out-of-pocket cap compresses PDP margins
-Persistent confusion between SilverScript (CVS) and the WellCare-divested plans (Centene) muddies the brand's ownership record

Frequently Asked Questions About SilverScript

Sources & Further Reading

Competitors to SilverScript

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

Brand	Parent Company	Country	Founded	Market Position	Primary Market	Gender Target
WellCare	Centene	USA	1985	Mass market	United states	All-ages
Ambetter Health	Centene	USA	2014	Market leader	United states	All-ages
Cigna Healthcare	Cigna	USA	1982	Mass market	United states	All Genders
Fidelis Care	Centene	USA	1993	Market leader	United states	All-ages
Health Net	Centene	USA	1977	Mass market	United states	All-ages
Humana Group Plans	Humana	USA	1961	Secondary line	United states	All-ages