(BPT) - By Dr. Ali Khan, chief medical officer for Aetna® Medicare and practicing board-certified internist
After you enrolled in your Medicare Advantage plan for 2026, you may have put it out of your mind. However, the new year is the ideal time to prioritize your health. I talk to my patients every day about how important preventive care is for maintaining wellness and preventing minor health issues from becoming more serious concerns. Unfortunately, it's often overlooked among older adults. By 2050, the population of adults ages 50 and older living with at least one chronic condition is projected to nearly double, making preventive care even more important.
With preventive care and regular screenings, your physician can more easily spot areas of concern early, so health problems can be more effectively treated or even, in some cases, prevented.
To get started, here are five ways to make the most of your benefits, putting your well-being at the top of your New Year's resolutions.
1. Understand your plan
Take time to familiarize yourself with this year's plan. Are there benefits you could have used last year, but for some reason didn't take advantage of? Make sure to explore these in 2026. For example, your plan may include things like access to fitness programs and nutrition counseling designed for older adults.
If you have an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan, you can scan the QR code on your ID card with your smartphone, which will take you directly to information about your specific plan. You can also contact the Member Services team. They are ready to answer questions, walk you through your benefits or even join a call with your provider to help schedule appointments and walk through billing questions.
2. Make appointments now
Most plans cover annual wellness visits, vaccinations and basic health screenings, so set appointments for these crucial visits right away. For some people, setting appointments at the same time each year makes them easier to remember.
Medicare Advantage plans commonly offer $0 copays for annual physicals, colonoscopies, mammograms and routine eye and hearing exams. Some plans also include $0 copays for primary care visits and labs, and $0 copays for certain vaccines. This makes it easier to ensure you'll take care of these vital health appointments every year.
3. Put your annual wellness visit and routine physical exam at the top of the list
Your wellness visit sets your care road map for the year. It gives you the chance to talk to your primary care provider and build a prevention plan. During this visit, your doctor will use your answers to a questionnaire to create a personalized health care plan for you to follow.
Additionally, you'll want to schedule your routine physical exam for an overall picture of your health. During this visit, your doctor will do a full exam that includes blood work, lab tests and vaccines. They'll also order any preventive screenings that are due. By identifying health conditions early, preventive care improves treatment options and reduces costly treatments and hospitalizations, allowing people and their loved ones to manage expenses and focus on what truly matters: your well-being.
4. Don't forget vision and hearing
Using your hearing and vision benefits is important for your well-being. Even if you don't wear corrective lenses, vision exams are key to identifying conditions like glaucoma and cataracts. And whether or not you have difficulty hearing, it's also vital for your overall health.
As a board-certified internist and practicing physician serving older adults, I encourage everyone to prioritize common age-related health screenings like vision and hearing. These are critical for catching signs of more serious health conditions like dementia, and they allow for early intervention.
5. Download the Aetna HealthSM app
In addition to making sure you have a new ID card for 2026, you may also want to download the Aetna HealthSM app to get the most for your health. Aetna is making it simpler to stay on top of your health by providing educational resources like a video library of Medicare basics and benefits so you can stay informed and get the most out of your plan. On the Aetna website and in the app, you can also access additional around-the-clock tools and resources to find in-network doctors, track claims and even print a list of your medications to bring to appointments.
Maximizing your plan for a healthier 2026
Health care can seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Aetna Medicare Advantage provides access to a Member Services team to answer your questions, and a Care Management program that offers a dedicated case manager to members to help coordinate doctors, support hospital recovery and guide you in advanced care decisions for certain medical conditions. Qualifying members can also get access to a Medication Therapy Management program for a personalized prescription review. There's even a 24-Hour Nurse Line* connecting members with a registered nurse for quick answers to health questions, day or night.
Interacting with your plan early in the year helps you maximize your benefits. Aetna makes accessing your plan easier through their secure member website, where you can view benefits, track claims, find in-network care and see prescriptions all in one place. You can also access a video library of Medicare basics to stay informed and get the most from your plan.
Make 2026 a year to prioritize your health. Find more information and get the year off to a good start at AetnaMedicare.com.
*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.
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. 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.
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.
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