Recently CVS Health announced Aetna 2021 Medicare plans. Medicare is the federal government’s health care program. It’s for people age 65 and older, and younger people with certain disabilities. Aetna, a CVS Health company, said, that for 2021 they plan featuring increased integration with CVS Health, expanded and differentiated Medicare Advantage plan options, including HMO and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan offerings in new states, new Aetna Medicare Eagle plans designed especially for Veterans, and the lowest premium standalone prescription drug plan product in all 50 states and D.C.
“Now more than ever, it’s important for older adults to focus on their total health body, mind and spirit,” said Christopher Ciano, president of Aetna Medicare. “To help members improve their health, we expanded our Aetna Medicare Solutions portfolio of products to include new plans and benefits designed to make care more affordable and convenient. As part of CVS Health, we’re bringing care closer to home and making more meaningful connections that help our members age actively on their path to better health.”
To date, nearly 2.7 million Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in an Aetna Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, which can include extra benefits, such as prescription drug coverage, vision, dental, hearing and fitness.
Aetna 2021 Medicare Advantage Plans
- In 2021, Aetna is offering Individual Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans in 46 states plus Washington, D.C., so in 2021 accessible by 54.7 million Medicare beneficiaries.
- For those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits, Aetna expanded its Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (DSNP) offering to select counties in 9 new states bringing Aetna’s total DSNP footprint to 604 counties in 23 states.
- New for 2021, Aetna will offer Aetna Medicare Eagle MA plans in 27 states. These MA-only plans are designed especially for Veterans to complement their VA (Veterans Affairs) health care coverage. With a $0 monthly premium, plans will include, dental, vision, SilverSneakers fitness program, and $0 or low PCP and lab cost shares. Most of these plans will also include hearing, an over-the-counter allowance and meal benefits to improve overall health and wellness.
- Aetna Medicare will offer three individual standalone PDPs. A new plan, SilverScript SmartRx (PDP), featuring an average monthly premium of $7.15, will be the lowest premium available in all 50 states and D.C. SilverScript Choice (PDP) will continue to be available in all 50 states and D.C. and will be under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) benchmark pricing in 49 states and D.C. SilverScript Plus (PDP), the plan with the most robust prescription drug coverage, will continue to be available in 49 states and D.C. All three plans feature $0 Tier 1 copays at preferred retail pharmacies.
$0 Premium Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan
To make plans more affordable, Aetna expanded its $0 premium plan options. Aetna estimates 81 percent of the Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in the U.S. will now have access to a $0 monthly premium Aetna Medicare Advantage plan.
“We offer competitively priced individual Medicare Supplement insurance plans from the CVS Health/Aetna family of companies nationwide. With nearly 1 million members, our Medicare Supplement plans utilize a simplified underwriting process. We also offer a dental, vision and hearing product in 37 states. Our ancillary portfolio covers 45 states and includes the new Accendo (CVS Health) Final Expense whole life product. Ancillary products can provide members with benefits paid directly to them after being diagnosed with cancer, or for hospital stays and home care,” – the company said.
CVS, in their turn, published the full list of plans on their website.”Aetna Medicare will continue to support members in 2021 by committing to $0 COVID-19 testing even if the public health emergency ends. The company will also waive PCP cost shares and expand coverage of virtual mental health services while the COVID-19 public health emergency is in effect. Building on the Caring for You kits, Aetna will also send members diagnosed with COVID-19 a box of supplies to help with recovery and prevent further spread,” – the company concluded.
