How Care Management can help you age actively

Aetna® Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offer a bounty of benefits to keep you on your path to better health. But with so much complexity in the health care system, sometimes you need a little extra help. If you qualify, Care Management can help you achieve a connected approach to health and wellness.

We spoke to Sherrie McNutt, executive director of Case Management Operations at Aetna, to learn more about the Care Management program. “We provide our Medicare members with advocacy and support in helping them achieve their best health, whatever that may look,” says McNutt. Here’s what you should know about Care Management.

“We provide our Medicare members with advocacy and support in helping them achieve their best health, whatever that may look.”

Supporting you during the ‘new normal'

During these difficult times, nurse case managers continue to maintain a strong line of communication with members by telephone or email. They can be a resource for you, whether you have questions about chronic care management, needing to see a doctor or responding to new health developments.

For example, Field Case Manager Teresa Herron recently helped a member named Lillie*. Lillie said she declined to participate in Care Management programs in the recent past. But Teresa explained she was calling to check on how Lillie was doing during the current COVID-19 crisis and expressed that Aetna cares for her. 

Lillie immediately brightened up! She began to tell Teresa her history, including two episodes of breast cancer and depression, which she’s had for 30 years. Lillie also mentioned she has severe arthritis and suffers with fibromyalgia. Lillie’s been worried nonstop over the fear of getting the COVID-19 virus. But she’s doing what she can to stay safe.

Teresa took this opportunity to review important information about COVID-19 with Lillie. Teresa also confirmed Lillie has access to food, supplies and her medicine. Lillie has plans to see her psychiatrist soon through a televisit. Teresa's call came at just the right time for Lillie. Lillie expressed that she needed to talk to someone about her feelings and was touched that Teresa was asking about her well-being. Lillie agreed to a follow-up call and expressed deep gratitude for Teresa's call. She said, "I am touched that you and Aetna care."

Now what?

The member is at the center of everything we do at Aetna. Care Management is a great tool for knocking down barriers in the health care system and helping you age actively. “The member is truly our driver, and we all have the same focus and goal,” says McNutt. “It's about what's best for our members.”

*These are fictitious characters and stories inspired by member testimonials. They are used for illustrative purposes only.