Maximize Your Benefits

Make the most of your health care dollars - and still get quality care.

Here are eight tips that are right on the money:

1. An ounce of prevention is best. So make sure you get your preventive care. This includes yearly physicals, flu shots and some screenings. Many of our plans cover these services 100 percent. That's a great incentive to take care of yourself today. And that can help prevent problems down the road.
   
2. Stay in network to save. When you choose in-network doctors and hospitals, you pay less.

3. Use walk-ins for everyday care. And save the emergency room (ER) for real emergencies. A walk-in clinic or urgent care center is a great choice for things like sprains, cuts or ear infections. You'll get quality care - and pay less!
   
   For example, the average cost to treat an ear infection at an ER is $550-$750. However, the average cost to treat that ear infection at a walk-in clinic is $59!¹
   
   It's easy to find walk-in clinics or urgent care centers where you live. Use our DocFind^® online directory and select "Find a doctor." Enter your location information and pick "Urgent care facilities or walk-in clinics" under "Facilities."
   
   
4. Get prescriptions delivered. You can use Aetna Rx Home Delivery^® when you take a medicine for a chronic illness like asthma. You can typically get a 90-day supply of your medications at once to help lower your prescription costs. Cut out a trip to the pharmacy and save on gas costs, too!
   
   
5. Go generic. Generic drugs are required by law to have the same high quality, strength, purity and stability as brand name drugs.² And they often cost a lot less.
   
   Here's an example of what one Aetna member can save on generics, according to her plan design: A 30-day supply of Ambien^TM 10mg is $158. The same supply of the generic drug is $16. She saves $142!
   
   
6. Save for health care, pay less in taxes. How? Through your employer, you may have access to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). By opening an FSA, you can put money aside - before taxes - to pay for some health care expenses.
   
   Use our FSA Calculator. Plug in your numbers and see how much you can save!
   
   Remember: spend all of your FSA on qualified health care expenses. It's "use it or lose it" with an FSA! Each year, 14 percent of consumers leave an average of $723 in their FSA.³
   
   
7. Know what's covered under your plan. Before you make a doctor's appointment, check your certificate of coverage. Or call member services at the number on your member ID card. It pays to be informed.
   
   
8. Use your Aetna discounts!*** Log into Aetna Navigator to see what discounts your Aetna plan offers. You can save on gym memberships, weight loss programs, massage therapy, acupuncture, eyewear and more.
   
   Interested in more tips that could help you keep more cash in your pocket while making the most of your health benefits?
   
   Look for other valuable tips at Plan For Your Health.

* Doctors, hospitals and other health care providers in Aetna's network accept Aetna's payment rate and agree that you owe only your deductible and coinsurance.
** When you go out of network, you may be responsible for the difference between the amount covered by your plan and the charge the doctor sends to Aetna.
*** Discount programs provide access to discounted prices and are NOT insured benefits.

¹ Average Urgent Care and Emergency Room Pricing. Aetna Strategic Contract Manager 9/08.

Actual costs may vary.

² FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/cder/info/consumer_generic.htm.

³ Aetna Book of Business Norms, FSA Results, 2006.

Aetna Rx Home Delivery refers to Aetna Rx Home Delivery, LLC, a subsidiary of Aetna Inc., that is a licensed pharmacy providing mail-order prescription services. Ambien^TM is a registered trademark of sanofi-aventis.