Aetna Medicare Grocery Allowance Benefits

If you have an Aetna Medicare plan, you might be entitled to a grocery allowance that helps you purchase healthy foods. Our article details the specifics: from eligibility criteria to the simple steps for using your allowance at participating retailers.

Key Takeaways

• Aetna’s Medicare Grocery Allowance will likely provide eligible members with a prepaid card to buy healthy foods and OTC medications at approved retailers, averaging $150 monthly.

• Eligibility for the grocery allowance is based on enrollment in specific Aetna Medicare plans and is targeted at those with qualifying health conditions such as arthritis, COPD, and heart failure.

• Aetna will probably offer additional health and wellness benefits, including hearing aid coverage, dental benefits, and disease state management, plus resources like Meals on Wheels and SNAP for extra food assistance.

Aetna Medicare Grocery Allowance: What You Need to Know

Aetna’s Medicare Grocery Allowance is a health care benefit available to eligible members, providing them with the opportunity to purchase healthy food items at approved retailers or online. This ranges from fruits and vegetables to whole grains and lean proteins.

The Medicare Grocery Benefit should include Medicaid benefits and prescription drug coverage, and can also be used for over-the-counter medication and certain management support services at authorized retailers.

The Importance of Healthy Eating for Seniors

For seniors, adhering to a healthy diet is of utmost importance. The American Dietetic Association encourages seniors to prioritize nutrient-rich foods such as:

• seafood

• dairy

• beans, peas, lentils

• fruits and vegetables

These foods help preserve muscle mass and improve overall health.

How the Grocery Allowance Works

Aetna’s Grocery Allowance works via a prepaid Medicare Food Allowance card, providing a set monthly amount, averaging $150, to buy qualifying food products.

This allowance can lead to significant cost savings, support during periods of high inflation, and cater to specific nutritional requirements.

You can use your Aetna Healthy Food Card at many retail outlets like CVS, Walmart, and Kroger and for online purchases at platforms such as walmart.com.

You can potentially oversee your card usage by accessing the member portal to review your current balance, monitor past transactions, and identify eligible items.

Eligibility for Aetna’s Medicare Grocery Allowance

Eligibility for Aetna’s Medicare Grocery Allowance will likely require meeting certain health condition qualifications and enrollment in a specific Aetna Medicare plan offering this benefit.

Qualifying Health Conditions

The health conditions that are likely to qualify for Aetna’s Medicare Grocery Allowance include:

• Autoimmune disorders

• Arthritis

• Cancer

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Congestive heart failure

• Mental health conditions, as determined by a primary care provider.

Aetna Plan Types with Grocery Allowance

Aetna Medicare plans that offer the grocery allowance benefit potentially include the Aetna Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) and some other Aetna plans that provide an Extra Benefits Card for purchasing approved healthy foods and prescription drugs.

The integration of this benefit into their plans is likely to offer members considerable cost savings at the point of purchase while addressing specific nutritional needs, as advised by healthcare providers.

Aetna’s Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) will likely include grocery benefits. Members are provided with a benefit amount through the Extra Benefits Card for monthly spending and a quarterly allowance for qualifying food items.

Using Your Aetna Medicare Grocery Allowance

The first step to utilizing your Aetna Medicare Grocery Allowance is confirming the activation of your card.

Once activated, you can use your grocery allowance at the checkout by swiping it like a regular debit card or presenting it to the cashier for scanning if it’s a coupon card.

Activating Your Allowance Card

Activating your Aetna Medicare Grocery Allowance card is simple.

• By phone. Simply call 1-877-204-1817 (TTY: 711) to speak with a Member Experience Advisor. The number is also on your Extra Benefits Card.
• QR code. Simply scan the QR code in your Extra Benefits Card welcome kit.
• Online. Go to Aetna.NationsBenefits.com/Activate.

Finding Participating Retailers

Your Aetna Medicare grocery allowance card can likely be used at numerous grocery stores and pharmacies nationwide, including:

• Albertsons

• Giant Eagle

• Kroger

• Schnucks

• Walmart

• CVS Pharmacy

• Walgreens

• Rite Aid

• Family Dollar

• Dollar General

• Food Lion

You can identify authorized stores and health and wellness products through the NationsBenefits mobile app or Aetna.NationsBenefits.com.