Good health isn't just the result of good genes and following doctor's orders. Other lifestyle factors such as eating a healthy diet and living in a safe place are proving to be just as important. 

The less access you have to these things, the higher your odds of developing a chronic condition or other illness. That's why they are called social determinants of health (SDOH). 

If factors like these are getting in the way of your well-being, know that there are resources out there that can help. On the list: Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, or D-SNPs like the ones offered by Aetna®. 

D-SNPs offer Medicare Advantage benefits on top of your Medicaid benefits.* The additional Medicare Advantage benefits are designed to help members deal with everyday roadblocks to wellness.  

Keep reading to learn more about common obstacles to good health and how an Aetna D-SNP may help you overcome them.  

Check your eligibility for an Aetna D-SNP today

Find out if you qualify for an Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan — we’re ready to help!

Learn more

Health obstacle: Unsafe housing 

No home is perfect. But sometimes home feels more stressful than it should. Maybe your apartment is overcrowded, or your street feels unsafe. Perhaps the water or air in your area is polluted. Or maybe you struggle to afford the rent. 

The stress that comes with having to worry about these things impacts your health. Over time, an unhealthy living situation can lead to illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.* 

How an Aetna D-SNP can help: D-SNPs provide resources to help members find or afford safer housing. For example, all Aetna D-SNP members have a personal care team. This team can help connect you with local programs for safe housing. 

It’s here — health care you can rely on!

To see if an Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP, plan is right for you, call us at 1-833-228-1297 (TTY: 711) between 8 AM and 8 PM, 7 days a week. 

Health obstacle: No reliable transportation 

Nearly six million people say that a lack of reliable or easy transportation keeps them from seeking the medical care they need.* It makes sense. If you don't have a car — or public transportation nearby, or cab fare — getting to the doctor's office can feel out of reach.  

How an Aetna D-SNP can help: Your D-SNP care team can help you find safe transportation options.

Health obstacle: Lack of social support 

Positive relationships can boost your physical and mental health. That's true if it’s a trusted family member, a long-time neighbor or a new friend at the senior center. All meaningful connections, big or small, can benefit your well-being. 

On the other hand, feeling alone or isolated can raise stress levels and harm your health. Research links social isolation with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, depression and more.* Unfortunately, it’s more likely among older adults and people living with health issues like chronic illness or hearing loss.  

How an Aetna D-SNP can help: Remember, Aetna D-SNP members have a personal care team. The care team can answer questions, help coordinate care and access to local resources and more. 

Aetna D-SNP members also have a membership to the SilverSneakers® fitness program. It includes access to both online and in-person fitness classes of all levels. 

Have a health question after hours? Aetna D-SNP members can call the 24/7 Nurse Line at any time to talk to a registered nurse.  

Find out if an Aetna care team can help you get the care you need   

Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP, members get access to a care team to help them stay on top of their health.

Schedule a call with a licensed Aetna® agent to learn more about our D-SNPs. 

Health obstacle: High-cost health care 

Tens of millions of Americans have inadequate or unaffordable health care. In fact, 1 out of 10 people in the U.S. don’t have health insurance at all.* It’s easy to see how that can get in the way of feeling your best. 

How an Aetna D-SNP can help: D-SNPs are designed to meet the special needs of their members. They are especially helpful for people with: 

• Low income 
   
• Certain health conditions 
   
• Disability or other unique health care requirements 

The cost of a D-SNP varies by plan. But it is very low or may even be no cost. And the plans come with coverage beyond medical. An Aetna D-SNP also includes prescription drug coverage with a $0 copay for covered Part D prescription drugs at in-network pharmacies. Aetna also offers D-SNPs with dental, vision and hearing coverage. 

All D-SNPs include our Extra Benefits Card with an allowance that can be used for approved over-the-counter (OTC) products. 

Depending on your plan and eligibility, you may be able to use your card for certain everyday expenses, like:

• Healthy foods*
   
• Utilities**
   
• Gas or transportation**
   
• Personal care products**

*Members in California, New Jersey and New York FIDE plans must have a qualifying condition to be eligible for this benefit.

**Members in New Jersey and New York FIDE plans must have a qualifying condition to be eligible for these benefit. Members in California plans are not eligible for these benefits.

For members in California, New Jersey and New York FIDE plans: The benefits mentioned are part of special supplemental program for the chronically ill. Eligibility is determined by whether you have a chronic condition associated with this benefit. Standards may vary for each benefit. Conditions include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, cancer. Other eligible conditions may apply. Contact us to confirm your eligibility for these benefits.

If you have questions, call us at 1-833-228-1297 (TTY: 711) 7 days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM. 

Get help paying for things to help you stay well

Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP, members get an Extra Benefits Card with a monthly  allowance they can use to help pay for certain everyday expenses like over-the counter (OTC) products.    

To see if an Aetna D-SNP is right for you, call us at 1-833-228-1297 (TTY: 711)  between 8 AM and 8 PM, 7 days a week.

The bottom line  

The cost, benefits and added services and supports that come with an Aetna D-SNP are designed to help meet members where they are. Because when you’re able to stop worrying about access to quality health care, you can focus on taking the next best steps to feel your best.

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

If you're 65 or older and have diabetes or an eligible heart disease, you may qualify for an Aetna® Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP). C-SNPs are currently available in select counties in IL and PA.

You may be eligible for an Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP) if you’ve lived (or plan to live) in a participating facility for 90+ days or you have Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).

*FOR D-SNP ELIGIBILITY: If you have Medicare and Medicaid, you may be eligible for a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan or D-SNP from Aetna. Call us to learn more and confirm coverage in your area. 

*FOR LINK BETWEEN LIVING SITUATION AND ILLNESS: Bhat AC, Almeida DM, Fenelon A, et al. SSM – Population Health. A longitudinal analysis of the relationship between housing insecurity and physical health among midlife and aging adults in the United States. June 2022, 18, pp: 101128. Accessed September 20, 2024.

*FOR LINK BETWEEN FOOD AND CHRONIC ILLNESS:  Ziso D, Chun OK and Puglisis MJ. Nutrients. Environment: a review of mixed methods intervention studies with residents of low-income communities. May 29, 2022; 14(11), pp: 2278. Accessed September 20, 2024.

*FOR LINK BETWEEN TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS TO CARE: Oluyede L, Cochran AL, Prunkl L et al. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Unpacking transportation barriers and facilitators to accessing health care: interviews with care coordinators. March 2022, 13, pp: 100565. Accessed September 20, 2024.

*FOR LINK BETWEEN LONELINESS AND HEALTH: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness. March 26, 2024. Accessed September 20, 2024.

Aetna Medicare is an HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our DSNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal.

See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. 

Plan features and availability may vary by service area.

To send a complaint to Aetna, call the Plan or the number on your member ID card. To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week. If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.

This material is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Contact a health care professional with any questions or concerns about specific health care needs. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Aetna is not a provider of health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to our website.  

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.

For members in California, New Jersey and New York FIDE plans: The benefits mentioned are part of special supplemental program for the chronically ill. Eligibility is determined by whether you have a chronic condition associated with this benefit. Standards may vary for each benefit. Conditions include Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disorders, Cancer. Other eligible conditions may apply. Contact us to confirm your eligibility for these benefits. If you have questions, call us at 1-833-228-1297 (TTY: 711) 7 days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM. 

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).

For mail-order, you can get prescription drugs shipped to your home through the network mail-order delivery program. Typically, mail-order drugs arrive within 14 days. You can call the number on your member ID card if you do not receive your mail-order drugs within this timeframe. Members may have the option to sign-up for automated mail-order delivery.

SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2024 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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