9 surprising benefits of being an Aetna D-SNP member  (2024)

Get to know the benefits, services and additional resources that come with being an Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) member that you could put to work for you.

When you sign up for a health insurance plan, you know regular doctor visits will likely be covered. Along with the cost of some prescription drugs and routine vaccinations and screenings. But Aetna Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP, members get several additional benefits and services that make it even easier to stay well. 

“It’s really important to know what these are. They’re all designed to make reaching your health goals even easier,” says Nicole Wolf, RN, CCM. Wolf is manager of clinical health services at Aetna D-SNP. To find out what’s included in an Aetna D-SNP plan and if one might be right for you, keep reading.

1. An entire care team on your side 

Trying to figure out your health care can be tricky. That’s especially true if you’re dealing with more than one complex health condition. Aetna D-SNPs take the pressure off by pairing each member with a team of health care professionals called a care team. They can help you:

  • Create an overall care plan. They work with you and your doctor to determine the best benefits and services for reaching your health goals.
  • Understand your state Medicaid benefits and help you get the ones you need.
  • Schedule doctor and dental appointments and possibly even arrange transportation to approved medical appointments. 
  • Connect you with local and state programs to help you with meals, local transportation, rent, utilities and more.

2. Help paying for everyday expenses

Good health isn’t just the result of good genes and following doctor’s orders. Other lifestyle factors such as eating healthy foods, living in a safe environment and having reliable transportation are proving to be just as important.

That’s why Aetna D-SNPs give you an Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card to help pay for the everyday things you need to stay healthy and safe. Like healthy foods, utilities and even rent.

The card comes pre-loaded with monthly allowances called “Wallets.” The Extra Supports Wallet is our most flexible allowance ever. You can use the Extra Supports Wallet allowance to help pay for any of the following:

  • Rent or mortgage assistance.
  • Healthy foods. Eligible items include fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meat and seafood, frozen produce and meals, grains and pasta, pantry staples and more.
  • Select over-the counter (OTC) health and wellness items, like cold and flu medicines, pain relievers and first aid supplies.
  • Personal care items such as soap, shampoo, paper products like tissues and toilet paper, and cleaning supplies like laundry detergent and dish soap.
  • Utilities like heat, water, electricity, phone or internet bills.
  • Transportation, including gas at the pump and ride shares like Lyft or Uber.
  • Pet care items, like food, toys, treats, grooming items and accessories like bowls and leashes.

Could an Aetna care team help you get the care you need?

Schedule a call with a licensed Aetna agent to learn more about our Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs).

Some D-SNPs offer additional allowances on their Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card, such as a:

  • Dental, Vision, Hearing Wallet: This allowance can be used for copays and other out-of-pocket costs for dental, vision and hearing services. (It can’t be used for teeth whitening or cosmetic procedures.)
  • High Value Provider (HVP) bonus: Eligible members who select a HVP primary care provider receive bonus dollars in their Extra Supports Wallet.

The Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card allowances are flexible for a reason. We know every member’s needs are different, and that you know your needs better than anyone. So we want you to spend your allowances on the healthy products and services that will have the biggest and most positive impact on your well-being.

Wallets differ by plans. And many plans offer multiple allowances to cover more needs. Call us to confirm.

Want extra help paying for everyday expenses?

Aetna D-SNP members get an Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card with allowances called Wallets that can be used to help pay for healthy foods, utilities and even rent assistance. Learn more about Aetna D-SNPs today.

3. $0 copay

Prescription medications can be expensive. And if you’re taking more than one, the costs can really add up. But Aetna D-SNPs come with a $0 copay on all covered Part D medications at in-network pharmacies. It’s just one way Aetna helps you get access to the medications you need to feel your best.

Save money on your medications

Aetna D-SNP members have a $0 copay on all covered Part D medications at in-network pharmacies. Explore our plans to learn more about the benefits of being an Aetna D-SNP member.

4. A 24/7 nurse line

If an Aetna D-SNP member has a medical question or concern, they can call a special hotline to speak to a trained nurse and get an answer within minutes. “It’s available to all Aetna D-SNP members at all hours of the day or night. Which is important if a patient isn’t sure that they have an emergency,” says Wolf. 

A quick discussion with a nurse can tell you whether it’s better to stay in bed and rest — or whether you should make a trip to an urgent care center or the emergency room. Even better, the next day the information from your call will be sent to your case manager. That way, your case manager can follow up with you as needed.

Want medical advice right when you need it?

Become an Aetna Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP, member, and you can call our 24/7 Nurse Line to speak with a licensed nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To see if an Aetna D-SNP is right for you, schedule a call with a licensed Aetna agent. 

5. Telehealth visits 

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. This is where you see your doctor by phone or secure video from the comfort of home. It can also be a good way to do follow-up visits and quick medication checks. Many medical providers offer it, says Wolf. It’s included in the Aetna D-SNP plan. 

6. Meal delivery after a hospital stay

The last thing you want to deal with after you’re discharged from the hospital is cooking. That’s why 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 an in-patient hospital stay. They’re easy to heat in the oven or microwave, so you can focus on resting and getting well.

“When someone gets out of the hospital, there are a lot of things they’re trying to manage,” says Wolf. “We ensure they can eat healthfully and get enough nutrition so they can optimally heal.”

7. A gym membership 

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. SilverSneakers also has online videos for yoga, strength training and more.

8. An adult companion

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. “It’s so important to connect our members with caring, energetic people who can lift their spirits,” says Wolf.

9. Healthy home visits 

More than 1 in 4 older adults have a fall each year. And 3 million older adults end up in the ER with fall-related injuries.* Aetna D-SNP members may help stop falls from happening by requesting a Healthy Home Visit from their care team. Members also get a $150 annual allowance that can be used to fall-proof your home. Use it to purchase approved home and bathroom safety devices like no-slip bathmats and grab bars.

All these benefits can do your body and mind a lot of good — but only if you have them. To learn more Aetna D-SNPs and your eligibility, schedule a call with a licensed agent today. It’s a free and easy way to help you find the right health plan for your needs.

If you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be eligible for an Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP).

9 surprising benefits of being an Aetna D-SNP member (2)

Aetna is a recipient of the Newsweek Best Customer Service Award for 2023.*

*FOR FALL-RELATED INJURIES SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facts about falls.  February 10, 2017. Accessed August 21, 2023. 

*The 2023 Newsweek America's Best Customer Service rankings were identified from the results of an independent survey of more than 30,000 U.S. customers who have either made purchases, used services, or gathered information about products or services in the past three years. Customers evaluated several brands: in total over 200,000 evaluations were collected. The awarded brands each received on average 100 evaluations from customers. For more information visit https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-best-customer-service-2023

Aetna Medicare is a HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our DSNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. If your plan’s Extra Benefits Card includes roll-over, any unused amount will rollover into the next <month/quarter>. The <monthly/quarterly> amount can be rolled over through the end of the plan year but will not carry over into the next plan year. Eligibility for the Model Benefit or Reward and Incentive (RI) Programs under the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model is not assured and will be determined by Aetna after enrollment, based on relevant criteria (e.g., clinical diagnoses, eligibility criteria, participation in a disease state management program. Participating health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change. SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2023 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to our website.

©2023 Aetna Inc.
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9 surprising benefits of being an Aetna D-SNP member  (2024)

FAQs

9 surprising benefits of being an Aetna D-SNP member ? ›

Groceries! With your Extra Benefits Card, you can purchase approved healthy foods that help you feel your best. That includes fruits and veggies, meat and seafood, healthy grains like bread and pasta, pantry staples like flour and spices and more.

What kind of food can I buy with my Aetna benefit card? ›

Groceries! With your Extra Benefits Card, you can purchase approved healthy foods that help you feel your best. That includes fruits and veggies, meat and seafood, healthy grains like bread and pasta, pantry staples like flour and spices and more.

What is an Aetna special needs plan (SNP)? ›

Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, or D-SNPs, provide extra support to help pay for everyday expenses like healthy groceries, utilities and even rent. That's on top of our medical coverage and $0 copay for covered Part D medicines at in-network pharmacies.

How to find Aetna explanation of benefits? ›

How to read your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) Save time and paper by viewing your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements online. Simply log in to your secure Caremark.com account, click on "Plan & Benefits," and then select "Explanation of Benefits Statements" to start.

What are some distinct advantages of a dual special needs plan (SNP)? ›

Examples of extra benefits a Dual Special Needs Plan may provide include: Credits to buy health products. Transportation assistance. Care coordination via a personal care coordinator.

Can I use my Aetna Extra benefits card at Walmart? ›

You can use the Aetna Extra Benefits card to buy groceries, household, and OTC items at eligible retail stores, like Kroger and Walmart. For transportation, utilities, and rent assistance, you can pay for the service directly with the card.

Can I buy soda with a healthy benefits card? ›

"You can use your benefits to purchase OTC products including allergy medication, cough drops, first aid supplies, oral care, pain relievers, vitamins, and more," reads the Health Benefits website. Certain items such as soda, candy, chips, and other junk foods are usually not eligible for purchase with the card.

What is the explanation of benefits of Aetna? ›

This statement is called your EOB. It shows how much you may owe, the amount that was billed, and your member rate. It also shows the amount you saved and what your plan paid. Look at this statement carefully and make sure it is correct.

How do I know if I have Aetna OTC benefits? ›

If it's your first time, register for an online account using your Aetna® member ID number and your email. You'll see your OTC benefit amount and items that are available for you to order. After you order, they will deliver your items by mail at no additional cost to you.

What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Aetna? ›

Tier 1 – Aetna® Premier Care Network Plus Multi-Tier providers. Utilizing a provider from this tier results in maximum savings for Aetna members. Tier 2 – Aetna Health broad network providers. Utilizing a provider from this tier results in standard savings for Aetna® members.

What is SNP benefit? ›

Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage Plan that serve individuals with chronic or disabling conditions. These plans require eligible patients to receive care and services from doctors or hospitals in their Medicare SNP networks. SNP networks vary in size and the populations they serve.

What are key characteristics of DSNP plans? ›

Generally speaking, D-SNPs include the following:
  • Care coordination.
  • $0 monthly premiums.
  • Over-the-counter quarterly benefits.
  • Dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
  • Transportation benefits.
  • Gym memberships.
  • Telehealth services.

What best describes a feature of a DSNP? ›

D-SNPs consolidate hospital care (covered under Medicare Part A), medical services (covered under Medicare Part B), and prescription medication (covered under Medicare Part D) into a cohesive plan.

What foods can I get on my healthy Benefits card? ›

These include:
  • Fresh or canned fruits and vegetables.
  • Frozen produce and meals.
  • Fresh salad kits.
  • Dairy products.
  • Meat and seafood.
  • Beans and legumes.
  • Pantry staples, like flour, sugar, and spices.
  • Healthy grains, like bread, cereals and pasta.

What kind of food can you buy with OTC card? ›

Examples of approved food items are fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, rice, pasta, beans, and much more.

What can I purchase with Aetna debit card? ›

It can be used to help pay for healthy foods and OTC items along with several other approved products and services, including:
  • Rent or mortgage assistance.
  • Personal care items.
  • Utilities.
  • Transportation.
  • And pet care items.

What kind of food can I buy with my NationsBenefits card? ›

Once your plan has started, you can use your Benefits Prepaid Card to buy eligible groceries. Eligible products include all food items like fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, canned goods, frozen foods, and more.

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