Key takeaways
Gardasil 9 is a vaccine that protects against certain diseases caused by HPV, such as genital warts and cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal, and other head and neck cancers.
Aetna typically covers the Gardasil 9 vaccine for people ages 9–45, as a preventive vaccine.
You can view your plan’s formulary or drug list to see if you have coverage for Gardasil 9.
Gardasil 9 is a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent various medical conditions caused by nine types of human papillomavirus (HPV). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that causes genital warts and certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer, anal cancer, vulvar cancer, throat (oropharyngeal) cancer, and penile cancers that develop from high-risk HPV strains. It is approved for use in people 9–45 years old.
“Gardasil is preventive, but it does not treat existing HPV infections or related conditions,” says Pamela Tambini, MD, a double-board-certified physician in internal medicine and addiction medicine, and the medical director at Southeast Detox in Rome, Georgia.
Dr. Tambini says Gardasil 9 is typically covered by most private insurance plans, including Aetna, for people up to age 26 as part of preventive care services. “Insurance coverage may vary for adults outside the standard age group,” she explains. “Some plans may cover it if deemed medically necessary.” Although this vaccine is approved for use in people ages 9 to 45, it is most commonly started at age 11 or 12, with vaccination through age 26, and additional use in adults up to age 45 based on individual risk.
Does Aetna cover Gardasil 9?
Health insurance plans aren’t one-size-fits-all. There are countless different plans, all with unique drug formularies (medications that the plan will cover). While some health insurance plans may cover certain medical services and prescription medications, others may not. Aetna will often cover Gardasil 9 for insured members 9–45 years of age as a medically necessary preventive service, although coverage may vary by specific plan.
However, the insurance company does not consider the Gardasil 9 vaccination medically necessary for people who have completed a three-dose vaccine series with Gardasil or Cervarix (previous versions of the HPV vaccine). If your healthcare provider does not know or does not have the HPV vaccine product that was previously administered, or is in a setting that is transitioning to Gardasil 9, then the Gardasil 9 vaccine may be considered medically necessary to continue or complete the three-dose series.
To check if your Aetna health insurance plan covers preventive services like the Gardasil 9 vaccine series, you can visit the member website at Aetna.com to view your benefit plan.
How much does Gardasil cost?
The average retail price of Gardasil (a single 0.5 mL syringe) is $408 without insurance. You need at least two doses; however, depending on your age and whether you’re immunocompromised. Some people need three doses.
RELATED: Gardasil 9 schedule by age
How much does Gardasil 9 cost with Aetna?
If you have a commercial insurance plan from Aetna, you may not pay anything for Gardasil 9. However, it may ultimately depend on where you get your vaccination. According to Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil, about 99% of people with commercial insurance pay nothing for the HPV vaccine when they receive it from their healthcare provider or at a pharmacy.
If you have an Aetna Medicare or Medicaid plan, you may not have to pay anything for Gardasil either. For example, the Aetna Better Health Premier Plan MMAI is a
health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Illinois Medicaid, and it considers Gardasil 9 a Tier 1 drug with a $0 copay. Merck says 98.5% of Medicare beneficiaries pay no out-of-pocket costs for GARDASIL 9 when they get the vaccine at their healthcare provider’s office, and 97% pay no out-of-pocket costs when they receive it at a pharmacy. The percentage is even higher for people on Medicaid, with at least 99.7% paying nothing for Gardasil, whether they receive it at a pharmacy or at a healthcare provider’s office.
“If you’re unsure about coverage, check with your insurance provider or speak with your doctor’s office—they can often help navigate these questions,” Dr. Tambini says.
How to check whether your Aetna plan covers Gardasil 9
If you plan to receive your vaccine from your healthcare provider in the office or clinic, you can ask your provider if the vaccine would be covered as part of your preventive health care benefits under your medical plan.
If you prefer to receive Gardasil 9 at a pharmacy, ask the pharmacy staff if the vaccine is covered under your Aetna pharmacy benefit.
You can also log in to your Aetna member account to review your benefits and formulary, or call the member services phone number on your ID card to find out more about coverage.
What to do if insurance won’t cover Gardasil 9
If your insurance plan does not cover Gardasil 9, ask your healthcare provider if they can submit a prior authorization. If the vaccine is still not covered, you can reach out to your plan and ask them if there are any in-network locations where you can receive the vaccine for free or at a reduced cost. You can also check with your local health department to see if they offer the Gardasil 9 vaccine at reduced or no cost.
How to get Gardasil 9 without insurance
Given that Aetna’s coverage for the HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 can vary depending on different factors and the plan guidelines, there are other ways you can save if your plan doesn’t cover it.
One way to lower your out-of-pocket costs for the HPV vaccine is by using SingleCare to search for Gardasil 9 coupons you can use at a pharmacy near you. Depending on your choice of pharmacy, you could pay as low as $280 instead of $408 per dose of Gardasil 9. Just show your SingleCare prescription discount card to your pharmacist, or show them a printed or digital coupon to get the discount. Then, either have the pharmacy administer the vaccine or take the package to your healthcare provider.
You can use SingleCare even if you have coverage through one of Aetna’s insurance plans, such as if your copay is too expensive or if it doesn’t cover the vaccine.
Since Gardasil is a recommended and sometimes required vaccination in some states, you may want to check with your state’s public health department to see if you or someone you care for can receive the vaccine free of cost. You can contact your healthcare provider or health department for more details on this preventive service.
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Dr. Tambini also recommends considering Merck’s Patient Assistance Program or the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which are opportunities to get the vaccine at reduced or no cost.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jun. 15, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- About HPV, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Aetna (2025)
- 2025 list of covered drugs/formulary, Aetna Better Health (2025)
- The Merck Patient Assistance Program, Merck (2024)
- About the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2025)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
- Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research.
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