Senior_Woman_Letter

Member Newsletter

Senior Care Options

Medicaid members need to renew their coverage each year to keep their health insurance.

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Senior Care Options members need to renew their coverage each year to keep their health insurance.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, MassHealth put protections in place that kept coverage from ending. However, these have ended, and MassHealth has started the renewal process. This means you should:

  • Watch your mail for a blue envelope from MassHealth
  • Act on any notices you may receive about this

If MassHealth has enough information about you, they will renew your coverage automatically. If not, they may send a renewal form in a blue envelope to the mailing address they have on file. Learn more about renewal here.

Stay on the path to healthy: preventing falls

Falls can be a serious concern for older adults. As our bodies age, we naturally lose some of our sense of balance. This and other issues faced by older adults, like muscle weakness or prescriptions that might cause dizziness, can make falls more common.

There are things you can do to lower your risk of falls. Here are some steps you should take, as well as some reminders about the benefits we offer, to help keep you safe from falls.

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Exercise regularly
Exercise can help improve balance and coordination, which can reduce the risk of falling. Remember that you have free access to the SilverSneakers® fitness program as part of your WellSense benefits.
Maintain your hearing, vision and walking ability
Both vision and hearing issues increase your fall risk. Use your WellSense benefits to have your eyes and ears checked every year, and don’t forget about your hearing and vision benefits for hearing aids and eyewear.
Make your home safe
Remove or fix any tripping hazards such as loose rugs or clutter, improve lighting and use nightlights so you can see potential hazards more easily, use nonslip mats in showers and tubs, make sure there are handrails by any steps and install grab bars in the bathroom.
Talk to your healthcare providers

Talk to your healthcare provider if you ever fall or feel like you might. Ask them about a fall risk assessment. You can also ask them or your pharmacist about any medications you are taking that may increase the risk of falling.

Get help
Resources to help you lower your risk of falls may be available in your community. To learn more, call the Massachusetts Falls Prevention Helpline at 800-227-7233.
Wear appropriate footwear

Wear shoes with good support and non-slip soles.

 

Don't get scammed

Are you being asked to pay for healthcare that is actually covered by your insurance? Has someone called you asking you to pay for services like changing your insurance or updating your address? These may be scams. Call 888-411-4959 to report them, and visit wellsense.org/footer/fraud-waste-and-abuse for more information.
  • Preventive services
  • Fluoride treatments for members of all ages
  •  Dental sealants for members younger than 21
  • Pain relief and treatment of infections 
  • Fillings and crowns
  • Root canal treatment

Get help finding food

You can call 211 to learn what help is available for food and other needs.

If you or your family isn’t getting enough healthy food, you are not alone. According to Feeding America, more than 34 million people in the United States don’t, and more than 53 million used food programs to help them in 2021. If you need help with getting more healthy food, the resources below may help.

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Over-the-counter card
You can use your over-the-counter card to buy groceries. You get $75 every month on the card, which you can also use for medical supplies and other select drugstore items.
Bread Project
Project Bread can walk you through the benefits you or other members of your family qualify for and tell you where to find your local food bank. You can reach them at 800-645-8333.
BMC food pantry
If you’re a patient at Boston Medical Center, you can ask your healthcare provider about their food pantry.
SNAP benefits
If you receive SNAP benefits and are now paying more for medical care, housing or caring for another person, you may be eligible for an increase in your benefit.
Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program
Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program automatically puts money back on your SNAP/EBT card when you use it to buy healthy fruits and vegetables from participating vendors.
Free cookbook download
“Good and Cheap” is a free-to-download cookbook focused on eating yummy, healthy food on just a few dollars a day.

Get to know your behavioral health benefits

WellSense is dedicated to helping our members live their best lives, and that includes supporting you with any behavioral health (BH) needs. Your BH coverage includes mental health (like grief counselling and therapy to help with stress), substance use and addiction services.

WellSense provides BH services through Carelon Behavioral Health. Carelon has providers conveniently located throughout Massachusetts and the rest of the US. Most BH services are available automatically through self-referral. This means you do not have to get prior approval to visit a BH provider in Carelon’s network.

If you or a family member are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, the New Hampshire Behavioral Health Help Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Anyone can contact the Help Line. Call toll-free or text 833-773-2445 (TTY: 711) for immediate help.

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To find a behavioral health provider:
  1. Visit carelonbehavioralhealth.com
  2. Click on “Find a Provider” at the top of the page
  3. Type your WellSense Health Plan’s 
    name in the box shown
  4. Search for a specific provider, or 
    enter your ZIP code to find one 
    near you

    Or call Carelon at 855-833-8125 (TTY: 711) for help finding a provider or to ask any questions about your BH benefits

Managing diabetes and heart disease: tips for long-term health

Over 50% of WellSense Senior Care Options members live with diabetes, and 70% have heart disease. Routine care and home monitoring are important for maintaining your health with these conditions.

Regularly checking your blood sugar and pressure at home can help your care providers adjust your treatment plan to keep you healthy. You can request a calendar to track your blood sugar from WellSense, and free, printable blood pressure logs are available online.

Regular checkups with your care provider are also important. During these visits, you can ask your provider about your measurements, kidney function, eye health and foot health.

Diet and exercise can help manage these conditions too. As a WellSense Senior Care Options member, you get up to $900 a year that can be used with your over-the-counter card to purchase healthy food, and you can also attend free fitness classes through SilverSneakers®. WellSense can even arrange to have you driven to the grocery store or a fitness center at no charge to you. Learn more about how to use these benefits.