4 common barriers to good health — and how an Aetna D-SNP can help you overcome them
Learn how a D-SNP can help you get access to reliable transportation, safe housing and more
Good health isn't just the result of good genes and following your doctor's orders. Other lifestyle factors such as eating a healthy diet and living in a safe place are 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 added 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. You'll learn 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.
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. For instance, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.*
How an Aetna D-SNP can help: D-SNPs connect members with resources that can help 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.
Health obstacle: No reliable transportation
A lack of reliable or easy transportation keeps millions of Americans 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 whether 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.* In fact, 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 get a SilverSneakers® basic fitness membership. 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-Hour Nurse Line at any time to talk to a registered nurse.
Health obstacle: High-cost health care
Tens of millions of Americans have inadequate or unaffordable health care. In fact, more than 27 million 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 help you meet the special needs of their members. They're 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’s 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 on covered Tier 1 and Tier 2 prescription drugs at in-network pharmacies. Aetna also offers D-SNPs with dental, vision and hearing coverage.
D-SNP members get a monthly allowance on an Extra Benefits Card to pay for certain over-the-counter (OTC) products. Members with a qualifying chronic condition who meet all other criteria can use the monthly allowance to help pay for additional everyday expenses, including:
- Healthy foods
- Over-the-counter products
- Personal care products
- Transportation
- Utilities
The bottom line
The cost, benefits and added services and support that come with an Aetna D-SNP 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 steps to feel your best.
*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: World Health Organization. Urban Health. March 19, 2025. Accessed July 28, 2026.
*FOR LINK BETWEEN TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS TO CARE: Boston University School of Public Health. Driving care: How transportation influences health outcomes. May 14, 2026. Accessed July 28, 2026.
*FOR LINK BETWEEN LONELINESS AND HEALTH: World Health Organization. Social connection linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death. June 30, 2025. Accessed July 28, 2026.
*FOR UNINSURED DATA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. US uninsured rate drops by 15% since 2020. June 24, 2025. Accessed July 28, 2026.
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. 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.
The benefit(s) mentioned are part of special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill (SSBCI). SSBCI conditions include certain cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure and diabetes. Eligibility is determined by whether you have a chronic condition associated with the benefit(s) and you meet all other criteria. Even if you have a listed chronic condition, you may not necessarily receive the benefit because other eligibility and coverage criteria may apply. Standards and conditions vary for each benefit. Contact us to confirm the specific SSBCI condition requirements for the benefit(s) for this plan and determine your eligibility.
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.
*While only your doctor can diagnose, prescribe or give medical advice, the 24-Hour Nurse Line can provide information on a variety of health topics.
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.
For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-833-278-3924 (TTY: 711).
SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2025 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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