Allina Health | Aetna knows the ins and outs of Medicare can be tricky. That’s why they deliver a unique partnership between their Medicare members, providers and health insurance to simplify and personalize the health care experience. Their goal this Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) — and always — is to support each member as a whole person through a connected care approach.

Medicare’s AEP is from October 15 through December 7. During AEP, anyone with Medicare coverage can switch their health plan for the following year. It’s important to review materials sent from your insurer, such as the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) or Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) to understand any changes made to your plan and ensure it still fits your needs. If you’re looking to switch to, or continue with, an Allina Health | Aetna Medicare Advantage plan, they will work every day to deliver simplified, cost-effective coverage to aid you on your health care journey.

During the last AEP Allina Health | Aetna became the top-selling Medicare Advantage plan in its service area. Their growth to nearly 12,000 members in just two years is a testament to the unique joint venture partnership between Allina HealthTM and Aetna®, their high-value plans, and an extraordinarily hard-working local team.

What’s new for 2021?

Allina Health | Aetna is excited to announce that they are expanding in 2021. In addition to the 12 counties they currently serve, they will now offer Medicare Advantage products to the residents of Blue Earth, Kanabec, Le Sueur, Mcleod, Meeker, Renville, Sibley and Waseca counties.

Though they will soon serve 20 counties, Allina Health | Aetna remains focused on offering a high-quality provider network and benefits that go beyond Original Medicare. These include market-leading “extras” like dental, vision, hearing and over-the-counter (OTC) allowances, as well as acupuncture and chiropractic benefits that Medicare doesn’t cover. And new for 2021, all plans will feature a $0 in-network primary care copay.

Because flexibility and choice are important to their members, they are continuing their preferred provider organization (PPO) structure, which allows for out-of-network second opinions or specialty visits at a low-cost share. And through Allina Health | Aetna plans’ travel benefits, members can see any Aetna-participating provider across the U.S. — including at walk-in clinics ® locations — and pay in-network cost-sharing. SilverSneakers® fitness benefits can also be used at home or while traveling.

Heading into 2021, Allina Health | Aetna will keep addressing the COVID-19 pandemic head-on. This means stepping in to support local caregivers, providing expanded benefits to Medicare members, and leveraging strong relationships with Allina Health to address COVID-19 health care needs. For example, in 2021 all plans will offer virtual primary, urgent care, and mental and behavioral health telehealth visits to help members access care. This includes after-hours or weekend care, sick visits and prescription refills.

While we’re all still learning how to coexist with COVID-19, and though AEP may look different this year, Allina Health | Aetna’s commitment to their members remains their most important focus. To learn more about AEP and Allina Health | Aetna Medicare Advantage plans, please visit AllinaHealthAetnaMedicare.com.