Unlock Aetna Medicare Extra Perks with Your Card – Benefits & How to Use Them

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), over 65 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare as of 2024, and more than 31 million choose Medicare Advantage plans like Aetna’s for added coverage (CMS.gov).

Aetna’s Medicare Advantage card isn’t just a health insurance ID—it’s a gateway to valuable extra perks that can improve your health, save money, and even make life a little more enjoyable. From over-the-counter allowances and dental coverage to free gym memberships and vision benefits, these perks are often underused simply because members don’t know how to take full advantage of them.

What Are Aetna Medicare Extra Perks?

To put it plainly, Aetna Medicare Extra Perks are additional benefits built into many Aetna Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans—services and allowances that go beyond Original Medicare. These perks vary by state and plan, but common offerings include:

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Allowance – prepaid funds for approved health items.
Dental Benefits – coverage for cleanings, fillings, dentures, and more.
Vision Benefits – eye exams, glasses, contact lenses.
Hearing Aid Coverage – exams and discounted devices.
Fitness & Wellness Programs – SilverSneakers® memberships and wellness coaching.
Healthy Food Cards – for purchasing nutritious groceries.
Rewards Programs – earn gift cards for completing health screenings.

According to Aetna’s 2024 Medicare Advantage Benefits Overview, members can save hundreds of dollars annually when they use all available perks. Yet surveys reveal that over 40% of members don’t use even half of them—often because they’re unaware of what’s included.

How to Activate Your Aetna Medicare Card?

Before you can start using perks, you need to activate your Aetna Medicare Advantage card.

Step-by-step activation process:

Check your plan documents – Your welcome packet will specify the exact card type (some plans issue combined ID + benefit cards).
Activate online – Go to AetnaMedicare.com/ActivateCard and follow the prompts.
Activate by phone – Call the number on the back of your card; you’ll need your member ID and date of birth.
Set up your online account – This lets you track balances and see eligible perks.

Once activated, the card works like a prepaid debit card for certain benefits, such as OTC purchases, dental payments, or healthy grocery programs.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Allowance – One of the Biggest Money-Savers

One of the most popular perks is the OTC allowance. This gives you a set dollar amount—often $25 to $100 per quarter—to spend on approved health and wellness products.

Eligible OTC items include:

Pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
First aid supplies (bandages, antiseptics)
Cough, cold, and allergy medicine
Blood pressure monitors
Vitamins and supplements

Where you can shop?

Online: Aetna OTC store
Phone order: Through Aetna’s partner vendors
In-store: At participating pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart

Balances often don’t roll over—if you don’t use your allowance in a quarter, it’s gone. Set a reminder to place an order every 3 months.

More Opportunities: Aetna vs Blue Cross: Choosing the Best Health Insurance Plan

Dental, Vision & Hearing Benefits – Preventive and Restorative Care

Original Medicare offers limited dental and vision coverage, but Aetna Medicare Advantage plans can include:

Dental: 100% coverage for preventive services like cleanings, plus partial coverage for fillings, crowns, root canals, and dentures.
Vision: Annual eye exams, plus allowances for eyeglasses or contact lenses (commonly $100–$200 per year).
Hearing: Hearing exams and discounted hearing aids through network providers like HearUSA.

If your plan offers a $1,000 annual dental maximum, two covered cleanings and a filling might cost you $0 out-of-pocket compared to $300+ without insurance.

Fitness & Wellness Perks – Stay Active and Healthy

Aetna Medicare Advantage often includes SilverSneakers® or similar programs at no extra cost. These memberships cover gym access, fitness classes, and online workout videos.

Other wellness perks can include:

Weight management programs
Tobacco cessation coaching
Annual health assessments
Nutritional counseling

According to a Harvard School of Public Health study, older adults who engage in regular exercise reduce their risk of chronic illness by 30%, making this perk a long-term health saver.

Healthy Food Benefits – Eat Well for Less

Some Aetna plans provide a Healthy Food Card—a prepaid card loaded with $25 to $75 per month to spend on approved groceries like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, dairy, and whole grains.

You can use this card at participating retailers, including:

Walmart
Kroger
Food Lion
And many local grocery chains

Rewards for Staying Healthy

Aetna’s Rewards Program gives you points or gift cards for completing health tasks like:

Annual wellness visits
Flu shots
Cancer screenings
Managing chronic conditions

For example, completing a diabetes eye exam could earn you a $25 gift card redeemable at major retailers.

Tracking & Managing Your Perks

You can easily track your balances and available perks through:

Aetna Medicare member website
Aetna Health℠ app (download on iOS or Android)
Customer service (phone number on the back of your card)

Keeping track is key—many perks expire at the end of each quarter or calendar year.

Common Mistakes That Cause Members to Miss Out

Not activating the card – Some members never start using it because they assume it’s just an ID.
Forgetting about quarterly OTC funds – Unused money doesn’t roll over.
Shopping at non-participating retailers – This can cause card declines.
Missing annual screenings – This means losing out on reward points.

Final Thought

Your Aetna Medicare Advantage card is more than proof of insurance—it’s a value-packed health and wellness tool. Whether it’s stocking up on OTC supplies, getting free dental cleanings, joining a gym, or earning rewards for healthy habits, these perks are designed to keep you healthier and wealthier.

The key is knowing what’s available, activating your card, and making a plan to use every dollar and service before it expires. Think of it as your health savings booster—small benefits, used consistently, can add up to hundreds of dollars saved and a better quality of life.