The Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card is a valuable resource designed to assist Medicare members in managing their healthcare and wellness expenses. This card provides financial support for a variety of approved items and services, including over-the-counter (OTC) products, healthy food, fitness memberships, and even transportation to medical appointments. Understanding how and where to use this card is crucial for maximizing its benefits.
Introduction
The Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card is a convenient and valuable tool designed to help Medicare members manage their healthcare and wellness expenses. It simplifies access to essentials, empowering individuals to maintain a healthy lifestyle while reducing out-of-pocket costs.
Eligible Expenses
The Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card offers a range of financial support for health-related expenses.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products
One of the primary uses is for over-the-counter (OTC) products, including essential items like vitamins, pain relievers, bandages, and other personal health supplies. Aetna offers OTC benefits through a preloaded Aetna Payment card provided by PayFlex. With the card, you can buy certain over-the-counter items listed in your OTC catalog.
Healthy Food and Groceries
The card also helps with purchasing groceries and healthy food, providing access to fresh produce, whole grains, and other nutritious items that support a balanced diet. If you have a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) with Aetna, you’ll have access to an Extra Benefits Card, which can also help you pay for groceries and other day-to-day expenses. Many Aetna D-SNP members get a benefit card with an allowance for approved foods like produce, dairy products, meat, pantry staples and more. Buying fresh, healthy foods can sometimes be pricey. That’s why Aetna D-SNP provides this pre-paid debit card to many members. It can help you stock up on approved foods at the grocery store. Approved items include fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats and other nutritious fare, says Wolf. The amount varies depending on where you live. It becomes available monthly.
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Fitness Memberships and Equipment
Some plans include coverage for fitness memberships or equipment, encouraging an active lifestyle. A fitness center is more than just a place to exercise. It’s also a great place to socialize and make friends, says Wolf. Aetna D-SNP members can gain access to one, such as your local YMCA, at no added cost through the SilverSneakers® fitness program. There are more than 16,000 participating SilverSneakers locations across the country. If it’s too hard for you to get to the gym, you can exercise at home instead. With the SilverSneakers fitness program benefit, Aetna D-SNP members have access to more than 16,000 participating SilverSneakers locations nationwide, plus online videos for yoga, strength training and more.
Transportation for Medical Appointments
Additionally, transportation for medical appointments, such as rides to clinics or hospitals, may be covered, reducing barriers to accessing necessary healthcare services.
Additional Benefits for D-SNP Members
Aetna D-SNP members have a regular allowance to use for certain Medicare-approved over-the-counter (OTC) products. The catalog has hundreds of items. Need to stock up on health and wellness products like pain relievers and cold and flu remedies? Aetna D-SNP members get a regular allowance for these and other OTC items.
Participating Retailers
The Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card is widely accepted at numerous national and local retailers. You can use the Aetna Extra Benefits card to buy groceries, household, and OTC items at eligible retail stores, like Kroger and Walmart.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens are popular choices, offering a wide selection of eligible OTC products like medications, skincare items, and wellness supplies. You can use your Aetna Payment card and OTC benefits at any CVS Pharmacy nationwide. Visit the store locator to find the nearest CVS to you. Note that CVS Pharmacy locations inside other stores like Target or grocery stores are not eligible for the benefit.
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Grocery Chains
Grocery chains also participate, allowing cardholders to shop for fresh, healthy foods to support better nutrition.
Online Retailers
In some cases, the card can be used with online retailers, providing added convenience for those who prefer home delivery or cannot easily visit a physical store. The best way to shop for eligible items is online by logging onto aetna.nationsbenefits.com and browsing through approved products. You can also use Chapter's OTC app to purchase eligible items with your credits and get them shipped to you.
Healthcare Providers
The Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card can also be used to cover certain healthcare services at clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies.
Co-Pays for Medical Appointments
These services may include co-pays for routine medical appointments, ensuring members have affordable access to primary care or specialist consultations.
Prescription Medications
The card may also help with the cost of prescription medications, offering relief for individuals managing chronic conditions or recovering from illness.
Read also: Does Aetna Cover Weight Loss Drugs?
Specific Treatments and Services
In some cases, specific treatments or services, such as physical therapy or diagnostic tests, may be eligible for coverage.
How to Find Approved Locations
Finding locations where you can use your Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card is straightforward. Contacting Aetna’s customer service is an excellent option. Representatives can guide you through the process, clarify eligibility rules, and help you identify nearby participating locations to maximize your card’s benefits.
Restrictions and Limitations
It is important to be aware of the card’s restrictions and limitations.
Excluded Items
Certain items, such as alcohol, tobacco products, and non-eligible goods, are typically excluded from coverage.
Balance and Terms
The card’s balance and terms may vary depending on your plan, so it’s essential to regularly check your available funds and review any updates to the program’s guidelines.
Maximizing Your Flex Benefits
Flex card benefits can be confusing to navigate. Many Medicare Advantage beneficiaries don’t use this extra money because they either don’t know it exists or it’s too much of a hassle to use it.
Chapter's Free OTC App
Save money and time using Chapter's free OTC app! Chapter's free OTC benefits app can help you keep track of your Aetna OTC benefits and save you money.
Additional Tips for Aetna D-SNP Members
- OTC Catalog: Aetna D-SNP members have a regular allowance to use for certain Medicare-approved over-the-counter (OTC) products. When you enroll in your plan, you should receive an OTC catalog. (If you didn’t get yours, you can always find it online or ask your care team for one.) The catalog has hundreds of items.
- Nurse Hotline: If you have a medical question or concern, you can call a special hotline to speak to a trained nurse and get an answer within minutes.
- Telehealth: If you struggle with mobility issues, it can be too hard to get to the doctor in person. In these cases, you can opt for telehealth.
- Ready-Made Meals: The Aetna D-SNP program provides up to 14 days of ready-made, individually packaged meals over a seven-day period to many members after a hospital stay.
- Transportation: Many Aetna D-SNP members can get a ride to and from plan-approved medical locations like doctor offices and hospitals.
- Companionship: The “Papa” program pairs eligible Aetna® D-SNP members with an adult companion for up to 10 hours each month. The companion can help you run errands, drive you places and keep you company.
- Home Safety: Aetna D-SNP members may help stop falls from happening by requesting a healthy home visit from their care team. Certain members also get a $150 annual allowance from CVS that can be used to fall-proof your home.
Understanding Aetna Medicare Flex Cards
Many Aetna Medicare Advantage plans have OTC (over-the-counter) benefits. This benefit comes with a preloaded Aetna Payment card provided by PayFlex. What you can buy and how much money you receive varies between plans-check your summary of benefits to know how much money you can expect and the OTC catalog for a list of products covered by your policy.
When to Expect Funds
Your OTC benefits are reloaded onto the Aetna Payment card every quarter on the first of the month. You can expect to receive money for over-the-counter items on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.
Understanding the Aetna Extra Benefits Card
If you have an Aetna Dual Special Needs Plan, you have access to the Aetna Extra Benefits Card. This benefit is provided via a prepaid Mastercard that has a monthly allowance for healthy foods, OTC items, transportation, utilities, personal care items, pet supplies, rent or mortgage assistance.
Benefit Amount
You’ll receive the benefit amount on the first day of each month. Any unused amount from the previous month rolls over to next month, so you can still cash in.
Aetna D-SNP: Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans
Aetna D-SNPs take the pressure off by pairing each member with a team of health care professionals to create an overall care plan. D-SNP members get both Medicare and Medicaid benefits. On top of that, D-SNPs offer more coverage and benefits than Original Medicare. D-SNP members get the benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan while keeping Medicaid. Every D-SNP is different, so be sure to check coverage in your area. People who are dual eligible meet the requirements for both Medicare and Medicaid. You can check before you enroll. A licensed agent can help you look up your provider. Aetna D-SNP networks include care providers dedicated to your health and well-being. You won’t lose your Medicaid benefits. In fact, you must qualify for a Medicaid program to enroll in a D-SNP. D-SNPs are low- to no-cost health plans with a goal of helping you save money while getting quality care. For instance, Aetna D-SNPs include dental, vision and hearing coverage, plus prescription drug coverage, at no extra cost.
Enrollment Periods
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This is when you first become eligible for Medicare. It starts three months before your 65th birthday and continues for 7 months.
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): This occurs annually from October 15 to December 7. During this time, you can pick a new D-SNP (or any Medicare Advantage plan), switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or change your Part D coverage.
- Open Enrollment Period (OEP): This occurs annually from January 1 to March 31. It allows beneficiaries who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to make certain changes to their coverage.
- Special Enrollment Period (SEP): There may be other times when you can enroll in a D-SNP. This can include if you move, or if there is a disaster declared by FEMA. Also, a SEP is available 3 months after you begin Medicaid coverage. Or, a SEP is available for full benefit dual eligible individuals (FBDE) aligning Medicaid coverage and Medicare DSNP so that they are provided by the same insurance company.