4 reasons to stick to your medication treatment plan

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. 

1. You can prevent side effects

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.

2. You may avoid an unplanned hospital stay

Following the prescribed medication schedule 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 a need for possibly more treatment.

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3. You may feel better faster

All medications are designed with a purpose. 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.

4. You can keep your independence

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.

Let us help you stay on track

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.

Have your prescriptions delivered right to 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.

Find a preferred pharmacy

This means you could pick up your drugs at any of these pharmacies. Here are some of the preferred pharmacies in our network:

• Albertsons®
• Costco® Pharmacy
• CVS Pharmacy®
• Kroger®
• Publix Super Markets
• Safeway
• Walmart  

Check the “Find Your Pharmacy” tool to discover more about your network.

Heading to the pharmacy? Read this first.

As an Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) member, you have a $0 copay on covered Part D prescription drugs at in-network pharmacies. Check out your formulary (list of covered drugs) here to see which medicines are covered

Pick up a pill organizer

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 amount (allowance) to use toward approved products like pill organizers.

Check your formulary

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.

¹FOR SIDE EFFECTS CLAIM: Aremu TO, Oluwole OE, Adeyinka KO, et al. Medication Adherence and Compliance: Recipe for Improving Patient Outcomes. Pharmacy.  August 28, 2022, 10(5), 106. Accessed April 2, 2025. 

See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. 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 1-866-409-1221 (TTY: 711) from 8 AM to 8 PM local time, 7 days a week, if you do not receive your mail-order drugs within this timeframe. Members may have the option to sign-up for automated mail-order delivery. The CVS Health discount is for use by Aetna Medicare Advantage members only. You may be asked to show your Aetna insurance card at checkout. Aetna is part of the CVS Health® family of companies. Redeemable in store at CVS Pharmacy® or online at CVS.com®. One coupon per transaction. 20% off savings applied to qualifying CVS Health brand health and wellness products. Excludes sale and promo items, alcohol, prescriptions, over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits, milk, lottery, money orders, gift cards, postage stamps, taxes, prepaid cards, other fees, pseudoephedrine (where required by law),* deposits and local exclusions. No cashback. Tax charged on pre-coupon price where required. Plus California Refund Value (CRV) on beverages where applicable. Bearer assumes all sales/use tax liability. Not valid in specialty centers within CVS. 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. Please see our coupon policy at CVS.com/couponpolicy, or posted in your local CVS®. *FOR PSEUDOEPHEDRINE: Cough & cold and allergy medications containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine and items limited by law are subject to federal and state purchase restrictions and limits.

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