Learn about the possible health risks of missing doses of your medication, plus get tips for staying on track.
Taking your medication as prescribed is important. What time should you take your medication? How many pills should you take? Is it best to take it with food or on an empty stomach? The answers to these questions all play a role in how well your medicine works. But sometimes, it can be hard to remember to take your pills or get your prescriptions refilled. Here are four reasons why sticking to your treatment plan is a big deal, along with some tips to make taking your medicine easier.
Some medications can cause side effects if you take them incorrectly. These may include headaches, nausea and tiredness. And if taking your medication makes you feel bad, you may be less likely to take it in the future. If you’re taking your pills as prescribed and still have side effects, talk to the provider who prescribed the medication, or a pharmacist. They may be able to change the dose or type of medication.
Taking your medicine as directed means you’re more likely to make a full recovery at home. That’s because taking your medication as directed can help prevent worsening health problems. And possibly a need for more treatment.
Call our 24/7 Nurse Line* at
1-855-493-7019 (TTY: 711) to speak with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If it’s an emergency, dial 911.
*While only your doctor can diagnose, prescribe or give medical advice, the 24-Hour Nurse Line can provide information on a variety of health topics.
Drug manufacturers make medications with a purpose in mind. They might work to ease pain, reduce swelling or kill bacteria that cause infection. Take them as prescribed so they can work like they’re supposed to, and you can feel better sooner.
If your health gets worse because you’re not taking your medicine, you might need more help from others. Stick to your treatment plan, and you can keep doing the things you love and stay in control of your life.
Did you know you have benefits and resources designed to help you? It’s all part of your Aetna® health plan – and our goal to help you feel your best. Keep reading to learn how we can help support you.
As an Aetna® member, you have access to mail-order delivery. You can have your medicine delivered right to you at no additional cost for standard shipping. It’s convenient and may save you a trip to the pharmacy. Learn more here.
This means you could pick up your drugs at any of these pharmacies. Here are some of the preferred pharmacies in our network:
Check the "Find Your Pharmacy" tool to discover more about your network. Go to Aetna.com.
Looking for an in-network pharmacy?
Our pharmacy finder tool can help! Visit AetnaMedicare.com/FindPharmacy. Then enter your ZIP code to find an in-network pharmacy near you.
Some have sections for multiple doses at different times of day (such as morning or evening). Some even have timer functions, so they can remind you when it’s time to take a dose. As an Aetna member, you have an over-the-counter (OTC) benefit allowance to use toward approved products like pill organizers.
This drug list tells you if your plan covers your prescriptions. Go to AetnaMedicare.com/Formulary to search for your medication. The formulary will tell you which tier your medicine is in. In general, the lower the tier, the less you pay. Once you know the tier and check the drug search tool talk to your provider or pharmacist about the best, lowest-cost prescriptions for you. There may be a cheaper option in a different tier.
Sticking to your treatment plan for your prescriptions is one of the best things you can do for your health. It helps you achieve your health care goals and keeps you feeling good. And by getting a low-cost prescription, you can even save money. If you need help getting your prescriptions filled or finding an in-network pharmacy near you, don’t hesitate to call Member Services. They’re here to help you stay healthy and on track.
See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. The formulary and/or pharmacy network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. Participating health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change. For mail order, you can get prescription drugs shipped to your home through the network mail-order delivery program. Typically, mail-order drugs arrive within 10 days. You can call the number on your Aetna member ID card if you do not receive your mail-order drugs within this time frame. Members may have the option to sign-up for automated mail-order delivery. Aetna is part of the CVS Health® family of companies. The discount does not apply to items you buy with your Aetna Medicare over-the-counter (OTC) benefit amount (allowance). Vendors offer Value-Added Items and Services (VAIS) at a discount that are not part of your plan’s benefits. You will pay the full cost of discounted services not covered under your plan. This material is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Contact a health care professional with any questions or concerns about specific health care needs. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Aetna is not a provider of health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to our website. The Aetna Medicare pharmacy network includes limited lower cost, preferred pharmacies in: applicable areas. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, members please call the number on your ID card, non-members please call 1-855-338-7027 (TTY: 711) or consult the online pharmacy directory at AetnaMedicare.com/pharmacyhelp.
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