Aetna ships Caring for You kits to millions of Medicare members

HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 15, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and flu season begins, these Caring for You kits contain several items to help support Medicare members with simple self-care at home. Kits include a thermometer, hand sanitizer and two Aetna-branded face masks, among other items.

"During this challenging time when many of our most vulnerable members are home, we wanted to provide them with some convenient items to help them stay healthy," said Christopher Ciano, president of Aetna Medicare. "We know that something as basic as an oral thermometer can make a big difference during telehealth visits. Sending these types of important items to our members at no cost was simply the right thing to do."

The Caring for You kits are a one-time liberalization of an Aetna Medicare Advantage member over-the-counter benefit. Kits will be sent to members who were enrolled on or before August 1, 2020. The kits began shipping last week and will continue throughout the fall.

This action builds on overall efforts by Aetna to help its Medicare members during this public health emergency. For example, Aetna is waiving Medicare Advantage member cost shares for in-network primary care office visits and all telehealth visits for any reason through December 31, 2020.

More information on steps Aetna has taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic is available at AetnaMedicare.com/coronavirus.