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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Visit our pharmacy finder and enter your ZIP code to locate a network pharmacy near you.

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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 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 Allina Health | 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.

Looking for an in-network pharmacy?

Our pharmacy finder tool can help! Log in to your secure member website at AllinaHealthAetnaMedicare.com/Login to access the finder tool. You can enter your ZIP code to locate an in-network pharmacy near you. Not registered for your secure member website yet? Visit AllinaHealthAetnaMedicare.com/Register to sign up. 

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 Allina Health | Aetna member, you have an over-the-counter (OTC) allowance to use to buy approved products like pill organizers.

Check your formulary

This preferred drug list tells you if your plan covers your prescriptions. Go to AllinaHealthAetnaMedicare.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 price, 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. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. Participating health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Allina Health Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change. 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 1-833-570-6671 (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. Other Pharmacies are available in our network. The formulary and/or pharmacy network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. 

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