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7 Ways SummaCare Can Help You Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions

Posted February 06, 2025 by H. Kelley Riley, M.D., MBA, Chief Medical Officer


Collage of people walking in a store and a person lifting weights

Whether you’re trying to stick to more regular exercise, adopting new healthy habits, upping how much money you save or making time for more travel as part of your resolutions for the new year—SummaCare can help you stay on track. We have benefits to support you every step of the way—helping you to maintain momentum and achieve the goals you’ve set all year long. 

We offer health and wellness benefits—at no additional cost to members—across all of our plans. We understand that being proactive about your health can help you live longer, improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of chronic disease. 

So, if you’re focused on sticking to your New Year’s Resolutions for 2025, why not use these benefits to your advantage? 

Let’s make this the year we follow through on our resolutions and start living a healthier and happier life—with seven SummaCare-supported goals for 2025. 

Goal #1: Travel more

Whether you’re a snowbird, frequent flier or occasional road-tripper, you can travel with confidence knowing your SummaCare health plan has you covered.

All of our Medicare Advantage plans offer in-network coverage in the states of Arizona, Florida and Texas — with three plans adding North and South Carolina in addition to Arizona, Florida and Texas — when you visit a Medicare-participating provider.* 

Our plans also offer worldwide emergency, urgent care and ambulance service coverage. 

Have a non-urgent medical question while away from your PCP? SummaCare plans also offer a 24-nurse line. Nurses are available to assist you with non-urgent medical questions about an illness or injury, identifying an urgent or emergency symptom, locating a primary care provider, specialist or hospital for care, identifying medication interactions and more.

Goal #2: Make self-care a priority

Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s a necessity for a happy, healthy life. Research shows that recharging your battery on a regular basis boosts both physical and mental health.

There are many ways to practice self-care, from socializing with friends to practicing yoga or getting a therapeutic massage.

Let SummaCare help you energize your body and mind. Our plans offer members access to therapeutic massage services with a provider’s order. Plus, acupuncture is covered if you suffer from chronic low back pain. You can schedule these visits through HomeLink.

Goal #3: Be proactive about your health

 

Taking charge of your health with regular health screenings and checkups promotes overall wellness and helps prevent illness and chronic disease. If there is a potential health issue, preventative care increases the chance it will be detected before it becomes severe. It also allows for early intervention and treatment for improved outcomes in many cases.
All our plans offer no-cost benefits to help you be proactive about your health, including:
  • Health coaching: A one-on-one telephonic service that can help you identify at-risk behaviors and provide suggestions to improve your wellness. 
  • Condition management: If you’re living with a chronic disease, such as diabetes or heart disease, a registered nurse can help you learn how to better manage your condition and ways to improve your quality of life. 
  • Health manager: All our members get exclusive access to WebMD’s Health Manager online tool, where you can set personal goals, monitor your health progress, track results and set personal health and wellness reminders.
  • Preventative health reminders: Members are sent reminders for preventative services like regular checkups and other recommended care for common conditions. And when you use preventative services, you’ll get rewards on your SummaCare Visa Card. 
  • Brain HQ: BrainHQ provides the exercise your brain needs to be at its sharpest by exercising memory, attention, brain speed, people skills, intelligence and navigation. Just as our bodies require care and exercise, so do our brains — especially as we age.

 

Goal #4: Quit smoking

It’s never too late to quit smoking — no matter your age or how long you’ve had the habit. Believe it or not, you’ll reap the health benefits within the first day of snuffing out that cigarette for good. 

Your risk of a heart attack decreases just 24 hours after quitting. Within three months, your circulation, lung function and stamina improve. 

While quitting tobacco can be difficult, you don’t have to do it alone. When you’re ready to kick the habit, SummaCare is here to help. Our quitting specialists will enroll you in the no-cost QuitCare counseling program. In addition, you can choose to receive a free limited supply of nicotine replacement therapy.

Goal #5: Socialize more

You’re never too old to make new friends. Companions are important for the mind, body and soul — especially as we get older.

Studies show that people who regularly connect with others are happier, have fewer health problems and live longer. Unfortunately, loneliness and social isolation are major issues facing older adults. 

That’s why SummaCare offers Papa Pals as an added benefit at no additional cost to members. Whether in-person or virtually, Papa Pals bring companionship, social support and assistance with everyday tasks. Plus, Papa Pals offer relief and a respite to caregivers.

Goal #6: Achieve your fitness goals

Physical activity is vital for a healthy body and mind at any age. But as we get older, it’s especially important to help prevent falls and other injuries and keep seniors more independent. 

The benefits of regular physical activity are abundant and include:

  • Lowered risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.
  • Improved strength and balance to prevent injuries.
  • Decreased pain.
  • Improved mood, including symptoms of depression or anxiety.
  • Increased cognitive functioning to help you focus, learn and make decisions.
Our plans include a membership to the SilverSneakers® wellness program, designed specifically for adults aged 65 and over and led by instructors trained in senior fitness. You’ll have access to live online fitness classes and an on-demand video library of prerecorded workouts that range from 15 minutes to an hour. You also can take in-person exercise classes designed for seniors of all fitness levels at more than 16,000 locations across the country — all at no additional cost.

Goal #7: Save money

As a SummaCare Medicare Advantage plan member, you have an OTC benefit allowance to cover health and wellness products, non-prescription medications, vitamins, durable medical equipment and more. You can use your SummaCare Visa card to pick up these health essentials at most major retail stores and pharmacies or have them shipped directly to your door — saving you time and money. 

You’ll receive a quarterly amount to spend on health items, such as:

  • Allergy medicine: Allergy tablets, nasal spray
  • Antacids and acid reducers: Antacid chewables, gas relief
  • Cold and flu medicine: Cough syrup, nasal rinse, vapor rub
  • Dental and denture care: Denture cream, toothpaste, mouthwash
  • Diabetes care: Diabetic socks, glucose tablets
  • Eye and ear care: Artificial tears, ear drops, cotton swabs
  • First aid: Burn relief spray, Band-Aids™, first-aid kits
  • Foot care: Corn and callus removers, medicated foot powder
  • Home aids: CPAP pillows, air purifiers, lumbar cushions
  • Incontinence supplies: Barrier cream, bedpan, bladder control pads
  • Pain-relief aids: Heat wraps, lidocaine patches
  • Pain relievers and fever reducers: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen
  • Skin and sun care: Hand sanitizer, sunscreen, Aquaphor
  • Supports and braces: Arthritis knee sleeves, back supports
Making positive changes can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. SummaCare is here to help you achieve a healthier, happier you. 

About SummaCare’s Medicare Advantage plans

SummaCare’s Medicare Advantage plans provide access to medical, prescription drug, dental, vision and other health-care coverage in a variety of budget-friendly plans. We go beyond basic Medicare with valuable extra benefits designed to keep you healthy, including coverage for hearing aids, travel, over-the-counter items, gym memberships, health coaching, rides to your doctor and much more. 

Our growing network of providers span from Canton to Cleveland and Youngstown to Toledo. It includes more than 25,000 providers and more than 75 hospitals. 

With our Topaz (HMO) plan starting at a low $0 premium, there’s an option for nearly every healthcare need and budget.

For more information, to compare plans or enroll, visit www.summacare.com/medicare.

SummaCare is an HMO and HMO-POS plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in SummaCare depends on contract renewal. * Benefits may vary based on plan selected and county availability.
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