Allina Health | Aetna has unveiled an array of significant updates to its Medicare Advantage (MA) plans for 2024. These enhancements aim to provide increased value, additional cost savings, and flexible fitness benefits to beneficiaries, including those who qualify for Extra Help.
New Fitness Benefit and Enhanced Features
The revamped Allina Health | Aetna Medicare SmartFit (PPO) plan, with a $0 monthly premium, is designed for prescription drug plan enrollees exploring Medicare Advantage options. SmartFit will be accessible in eight metro counties and includes:
- Vision, hearing, and over-the-counter benefits
- A substantial annual dental allowance of $2,550
- A $30 monthly reduction in Part B premium
- A fitness reimbursement benefit of $1,200 per year, covering various activities such as pickleball, golf, swimming, entrance fees for national and state parks, fitness supplies, athletic shoes, and more. Additionally, it includes access to SilverSneakers fitness programs and the Apple Fitness+SM service.
The Allina Health | Aetna Medicare Plus (PPO) plan for 2024, with a $0 monthly premium, also introduces a flexible fitness reimbursement benefit of $360 per year.
Britta Orr, Chief Medicare Officer, emphasized the consumer-centric approach: “Being able to offer a unique benefit, like the flexible fitness reimbursement, allows Allina Health | Aetna to serve our members in a new way. Our updated Medicare Advantage plans will save Minnesotans money while connecting them with the programs, products, and local support team they need to take care of themselves.”
Expanded Benefits for Extra Help Recipients
For individuals who qualify for Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy), Allina Health | Aetna will introduce the Allina Health | Aetna Medicare Value (PPO) plan in 2024. This plan includes:
- A low monthly plan premium
- A $1,450 annual dental allowance
- Vision, hearing, and SilverSneakers fitness benefits
- A quarterly over-the-counter allowance of $90
- $0 copays for in-network primary care visits and labs
Extra Help recipients may also enjoy $0 monthly plan premiums, $0 costs on covered Part D drugs, and an Extra Benefits Card with a $75 quarterly Extra Supports Wallet to assist with expenses such as healthy food, utilities, gas, transportation, personal care items, pet supplies, rent, or mortgage.
The Inflation Reduction Act has expanded eligibility for the Extra Help program, making more Medicare beneficiaries eligible for these benefits in 2024.
Investment in Existing Plans
Allina Health | Aetna is investing significantly in its existing plans to provide additional benefits and cost savings to members. These include:
- Lowering monthly plan premiums by $10 for plans with a premium.
- Introducing a Dental, Vision, and Hearing Wallet with a $500 annual allowance on certain plans, allowing members to choose how to spend it based on their needs.
- Increasing dental allowances on many plans, with some seeing increases of up to $900.
- Enhancements to the Allina Health | Aetna Medicare Eagle (PPO), including a Part B premium reduction to $100 monthly and reduced outpatient mental health copays to $20.
- Competitive prescription drug benefits, including $0 deductibles on Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs, $0 copays for Tier 1 drugs at preferred network pharmacies, and more.
Additional benefits include $0 colonoscopies, $0 continuous glucose monitors and supplies, non-Medicare-covered podiatry benefits, and 14 freshly prepared meals delivered to members’ homes upon discharge from an inpatient hospital stay or skilled nursing facility.
Local Customer Service
Allina Health | Aetna continues to expand its Minnesota-based customer service presence, including a team of Medicare Member Advocates who offer virtual, phone, or face-to-face support to answer questions and navigate complex needs.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2023. For more information about the 2024 Medicare Advantage plans, call <1-833-874-8527 (TTY: 711) 8 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week>. Current members can schedule one-on-one meetings with a Member Advocate online via their secure member portal or call Member Services at <1-833-570-6671 (TTY: 711)>.
Allina Health | Aetna is a unique health plan jointly owned by Allina Health and Aetna, a CVS Health company. It offers coordinated, quality health insurance solutions, connecting members with Minnesota’s best doctors, specialists, and care facilities. Learn more at <allinahealthaetna.com> and follow on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Disclaimer: Allina Health | Aetna Medicare is a PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.
Sources: U.S. News & World Report, Allina Health