Using your extra benefits
Sentara Medicare plans are all-in-one plans. That means dental, vision, hearing, and other extra benefits are built into our plans to give you more! The information below will help you learn how to use and access your extra benefits.
Refer to your Evidence of Coverage for extra benefits specific to your plan.
Sentara Community Complete (HMO D-SNP) members will keep your Medicaid benefits, too.
If you have questions about any of these benefits, please contact Sentara Medicare Member Services:
Sentara Community Complete (HMO D-SNP)> members: 1-866-650-1274 (TTY: 711)
All other Sentara Medicare members: 1-800-927-6048 (TTY: 711)
October 1 through March 31, 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April 1 through September 30, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
2025 Extra benefits
For illnesses or injuries that happen after hours or when your doctor’s office is closed, you can call the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-394-2237 (TTY: 711). You will talk with a registered nurse trained in emergency or acute care. They will be able to assess your medical situation, advise you as to where to seek care, and suggest self-care options until you can see your doctor.
Please note: The nurse will not have access to your medical records, cannot diagnose medical conditions, order lab work, write prescriptions, order home health services, or initiate hospital admissions.
In an emergency, always go to the closest emergency room or call 911.
Learn about the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line
During an annual physical exam, your primary care provider (PCP) reviews your current health history. The annual physical exam benefit includes a comprehensive physical examination and evaluation of the status of chronic diseases. This is available at no cost to you and is a more in-depth look at your current health than an Annual Wellness Visit. Both types of appointments should always be scheduled and can be completed at the same visit – just let your provider know when you make the appointment.
Limit of one annual physical exam per calendar year.
This exam may include diagnostic tests and additional cost share may apply if these tests are performed.
You may obtain up to two bathroom safety devices in a calendar year through NationsBenefits®. This benefit is separate from your over-the-counter (OTC) benefit and does not take away from your OTC allowance.
Some of the eligible products include safety bars, shower mats, bath safety bench, handheld shower head, and more. You can order your bathroom safety devices online at SentaraMedicare.NationsBenefits.com, or by phone at 1-877-438-7521 (TTY: 711), 7 days per week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Your items will be delivered to your home at no additional cost.
Coverage of chiropractic services to help correct a subluxation (when one or more of the bones of the spine move out of position) using manipulation of the spine. You must use a provider in our network to use this benefit. You can search for a provider on our webpage at sentarahealthplans.com/findadoc.
Both preventive and comprehensive dental services are available with your Sentara Medicare plan.
Learn about your dental services.
You have access to health education in the form of video, audio, printed and online materials. From the sentarahealthplans.com homepage, type your topic of interest into the search bar to find all the articles our website has to offer on that topic. Health education is also available in-person and by phone through our staff of registered nurses, dietitians, and certified health education specialists. Appointments may be required. For more information, call Sentara Medicare Member Services.
Your hearing benefits gives you a $0 copay for a routine hearing exam every year. If hearing aids are needed, we provide free fittings, and an allowance of up to $2,000 per year for a set of hearing aids. Your benefit also includes a 12-month warranty, one-time replacement coverage, and a one-year supply of hearing aid batteries.
This in-home, non-medical benefit connects members with a network of friendly helpers to help with basic daily activities, including:
- board games
- errands
- gardening
- grocery shopping
- light housework
- meal preparation
- tech help
- pet help
Helpers are available to you for a maximum of 40 hours per year. To take advantage of this service call Sentara Medicare Member Services.
This benefit is available to eligible members after an inpatient hospital or skilled nursing facility stay.
Eligible members receive up to 56 ready-to-heat meals per discharge; two meals per day for 28 days including breakfast and lunch/dinner.
All meals have been designed by nutritionists to ensure members’ well-being and include dietary preferences such as: general wellness, low sodium, diabetic, vegetarian, pureed, and kosher.
Meals are prepared fresh and shipped in insulated boxes.
Prior authorization is required by a health plan care coordinator upon discharge.
If you have a qualifying chronic condition, you may receive a grocery allowance* through NationsBenefits® to use toward thousands of healthy options using a prepaid flex card.
If you are a member of one of these plans, you do not need to re-attest to your chronic condition:
- Sentara Community Complete (HMO D-SNP)
- Sentara Medicare Engage – DIabetes and Heart (HMO C-SNP)
If you are on any other plan offered by Sentara Medicare and you already receive the grocery allowance, you will have to re-attest to having a chronic condition each year on the NationsBenefits® member portal at SentaraMedicare.NationsBenefits.com.
If we do not have a claim on file to verify your chronic condition you will need to submit one of the following documents in the NationsBenefits member portal.
- A letter from your physician stating the chronic condition you were diagnosed with. This letter should be on your physician’s letterhead.
- An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that lists your chronic condition diagnosis.
- A prescription for a chronic condition diagnosis.
Learn about grocery allowance
Your Sentara Medicare plan can help keep more money in your pocket when you take advantage of your OTC quarterly allowance.
Purchase a wide selection of non-prescription drugs, supplies, and healthcare products through the plan’s catalog of items.
PERS lets eligible members call for help in an emergency by pushing a button. The service is available 24/7. Eligible members must have a working landline and/or cellular phone coverage to take part in this benefit. Prior authorization is required. To find out if you’re eligible, call Sentara Medicare Member Services.
Benefit availability, number of visits, and copays vary by plan.
To find a podiatrist in our network, visit sentarahealthplans.com/findadoc.
Sentara Medicare members are covered for a fitness benefit through SilverSneakers online and at participating locations*. Through this benefit members:
- have access to a nationwide network of participating locations
- can take classes
- can enroll in as many locations as they like, at any time
- are connected with a support network and online resources through:
- SilverSneakers LIVE classes
- SilverSneakers On-Demand videos
- SilverSneakers GO mobile app
For more information, contact SilverSneakers® at 1-888-423-4632 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
View your unique SilverSneakers member ID number after creating an account at SilverSneakers.com/starthere and signing in.
*Participating locations ("PL") are not owned or operated by Tivity Health, Inc. or its affiliates. Use of PL facilities and amenities is limited to terms and conditions of PL basic membership. Facilities and amenities vary by PL. Membership includes SilverSneakers instructor-led group fitness classes. Some locations offer members additional classes. Classes vary by location. Get active with SilverSneakers® fitness programs.
Routine medical transportation
We provide one-way rides to and from health-related locations, such as doctor appointments and the pharmacy.
Non-medical transportation
Non-medical transportation is available for members with chronic conditions to plan-approved locations such as churches, grocery stores, senior centers, places of worship, and plan-sponsored events.
Your $0 copay telehealth benefit allows you to schedule appointments with a local, in-network doctor board certified in internal medicine, family practice, emergency medicine, or a counselor or psychiatrist.
Appointments are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and can be held over the phone or through video using your computer or smartphone. These doctors can diagnose, treat, and write prescriptions for routine medical conditions. To schedule, call 1-866-648-3638 (TTY: 711) or access from your member portal account.
Members get a yearly routine eye exam at no cost, plus a yearly allowance toward the cost of contact lenses, eye glass lenses, and/or frames. All vision services are offered through Community Eye Care (CEC).