Aetna did away with OTC benefits completely

[d47342t]

Aetna chooses now to not provide OTC funds to seniors anymore, stating they are now using that money towards Dr. Visits. Another corporate BS story to have seniors on fixed incomes suffer some more. No food assistance, no pharmacy assistance, just more bureaucratic BS!

[GailL1]

@d47342t 

Aetna did do away with many plans in 2026 in some counties.  Like @papawofboo said, they should have sent you a Notification of change in the fall of 2025 stating this and thus giving a chance to change to another MA plan from Aetna or some other provider - 

Many MA insurers left some counties where they could not adequately develop their plans - like their network of providers and specifically specialist within a specific geographical area as required.  

Aetna and other insurers also changed some of these plans based on new rules from CMS - I don’t know what type of plan you had with Aetna that gave you the access to the OTC benefits so I have to speak in generalities.

Changes that MA insurers had to make in 2026 were 

(1) the discontinuance of the Value Based Insurance Design at the end of 2025 by CMS because it was not dollar cost efficient and Medicare was losing money - money that they needed to pay for actual provider care.

CMS.gov - Discontinuation of the Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model 

(2) Improving the MA Experiences for Dually Eligible Enrollees - 
Dual eligible beneficiaries that had certain chronic conditions maintained many of these OTC benefits as well as monies provided for other things like utilities too - but these have now been only offered to those with certain chronic conditions. And it has to be supported by doctor’s records.

You can still see if you can find another plan that suits your needs in your area.  We are still in the General Enrollment period so do a search on the find a plan area of Medicare. gov using your zip code and see what is available.  OR your can contact SHIP in your state or a knowledgeable Medicare insurance broker in your area. 

[papawofboo]

Didn't they send you a "Whats new in 2026"?

Both of our plans increased their OTC.