Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, or D-SNPs, give you an Aetna Medicare Extra Benefits Card to help pay for everyday expenses like healthy foods, over-the-counter health products and even rent.

That’s on top of our medical coverage and $0 copay for covered Part D prescriptions at in-network pharmacies. Plus, we offer D-SNPs with dental, vision and hearing benefits.

We make it easy, too. If you’re a new member, we’ll mail you an Extra Benefits Card, a Benefits Mastercard® Prepaid Card, with monthly allowances called “Wallets.”

If you’re a returning member, you can continue to use the Extra Benefits Card you already have — be sure to hold on to it. You’ll receive a letter from NationsBenefits explaining your card changes and new Wallets.

All D-SNP members get Wallets they can use to buy healthy foods like fruits and veggies, meat and seafood, healthy grains like bread and pasta and pantry staples like flour and spices.

You can also buy select over-the-counter, or OTC, health and wellness items, like pain relievers, cold and flu medications and first aid supplies.

The Extra Supports Wallet is our most flexible allowance. It can be used to help pay for healthy foods and OTC items along with several other approved products and services, including:

• Rent or mortgage assistance
• Personal care items
• Utilities
• Transportation
• And pet care items

Wallets vary by plan. Check coverage in your area.

Your Extra Benefits Card will come with information on how and where you can use your card as well as your Wallet amounts.

To use your card, you’ll need to activate it. You can do that three ways.

1. Phone. Call 1-877-204-1817 (TTY: 711) to speak with a Member Experience Advisor. The number is also on your Extra Benefits Card.

2. QR code. Simply scan the QR code in your Extra Benefits Card welcome materials.

3. Online. Go to Aetna.NationsBenefits.com/Activate

Once your card is activated, your funds are available to spend. You can spend them however you like on any approved products or services.

Not sure if an item is approved for purchase? It’s easy to look up covered items using the NationsBenefits mobile app on your smartphone. The app is available for free on the App Store® and the Google Play™ store.

The Extra Benefits Card can be used at approved retail locations. At checkout, simply swipe your card and select credit when prompted for payment type. No PIN is required.

If your Extra Benefits allowance covers your full purchase, you’re good to go. You’ll need to use a different payment method if any of your items or services aren’t approved, or to pay for the remainder if you’ve used up your allowance. You can check your balance at any time on the NationsBenefits app.

Your Extra Benefits Card helps you put your health first so you can feel your best. To learn more, visit Aetna.NationsBenefits.com

These days, you can get medical care at many different places. You could go to your doctor’s office, a walk-in clinic, an urgent care center or the emergency room. But how do you know which one to choose when you’re hurt or feeling sick, or when you need a vaccination? These tips can help you make the right care decision in the moment.

Your primary care provider, or PCP, should always be your first choice for any non-emergencies. Your PCP knows your medical history. They can help you manage common illnesses like the flu and chronic conditions like diabetes. They can also prescribe medications and refer you to a specialist if needed.

Can’t get an appointment with your PCP? In that case, a walk-in clinic like a CVS MinuteClinic is a good choice for convenient and affordable care. You'll likely see a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant.

They can help treat rashes and minor injuries and diagnose common illnesses like colds and flu. They can also do routine tests like blood pressure, blood sugar, A1C and cholesterol checks. And they can give immunizations (like a COVID-19 or flu vaccine) and prescribe or refill medications.

While walk-in clinics don’t require appointments, they do operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So you may have to wait to be seen. Many walk-in clinics are also in or near a pharmacy. That makes picking up your medications easy. Can’t get to a clinic? You can make an appointment for a virtual visit at a MinuteClinic E-Clinic.

If your health issue is more serious, you may want to go to an urgent care center. They have doctors on staff who can treat you for issues such as broken bones, cuts that need stitches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes and fever. Most urgent care centers can also do X-rays and get some test results while you wait.

Finally, head to the emergency room right away if you have a medical situation that needs immediate attention. This includes chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden changes in mental ability, slurred speech, uncontrollable bleeding, head injuries, sudden loss of vision or seizures.

If your situation is life-threatening or you’re alone and can't drive yourself to the ER, call 911. This is especially important if you’re having chest pain or symptoms of a stroke. A paramedic can begin treatment right away, which could save your life.

Still not sure where to go? As an Aetna Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, or D-SNP, member, you can call your care team for direction. They may also be able to arrange transportation to the right location. If your care team isn’t available, you can call the 24/7 nurse line for round-the-clock health guidance.

Knowing where to go for medical care can help you get the proper treatment, and possibly save you time and money too. Wherever you go, remember to bring your Aetna member ID card with you.

To learn more ways your Aetna D-SNP plan can help you get the care you need, visit AetnaMedicare.com/MyDSNP