Senior_Woman_Glasses

Member Newsletter

New Hampshire Medicare Advantage

Get the most from your benefits

WellSense wants to make sure all our members make the most of their benefits. Here are some tips to remember:

Copays
Over-the-counter (OTC) card
The funds on your OTC card expire after three months, so be sure to use them before they’re gone. We recently added Walmart.com to the list of eligible stores, making your OTC card even easier to use. You can also shop through a mobile app available at mybenefitscenter.com.
Dental
Dental benefits
You get two $0 copay dental cleanings each year and money toward services like root canals and fillings. To find a dentist, visit dentaquest.com and select WellSense Medicare Advantage under New Hampshire as your health plan.
Eyeglasses
Vision benefits
Your WellSense plan covers one annual eye exam and up to $200 for eyewear every two years. Annual eye exams can help find eye diseases early and preserve your vision.
SilverSneakers
SilverSneakers fitness membership
SilverSneakers offers a variety of fitness programs to fit many different needs, including online fitness classes, on-demand videos and in-person access to thousands of gyms across the country. Visit silversneakers.com to find locations near you.

SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. ©2023 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

Senior_Couple_Hike
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 eyewear benefit—up to $200 every two years.
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 New Hampshire Falls Risk Reduction Task Force at 603-653-3483.
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.

Avoid the wait: Getting care faster than at the ER

Injuries and illnesses can happen at any time. While a walk-in visit to the emergency room (ER) may often feel like the easiest solution, ERs often take much longer to treat conditions that could be handled more quickly for you somewhere else. 

Senior_Man_Phone
  • 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
Your PCP
For most nonemergency conditions, your primary care provider (PCP) should be your first resource. Your PCP is the provider you generally see for your annual wellness visit. They know your health the best and can help you get specialist care quickly if you need it. If your PCP isn’t available, you can also try to see another provider in their office or schedule a telehealth visit, which will often be faster. 
Urgent Care
If no one at your PCP’s office is available to see you quickly, an urgent care clinic should be able to make an appointment for you within 24 hours, and walk-in urgent care wait times are usually shorter than at the ER. If your PCP belongs to a larger healthcare system, you may even be able to go to an affiliated urgent care clinic. Urgent cares can handle most nonemergency illnesses and injuries. 
Emergency Room
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

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 New Hampshire 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 833-710-6477 (TTY: 711) for immediate help.

carelon

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 855-834-5655 (TTY: 711) for help finding a provider or to ask any questions about your BH benefits

Is care management right for you?

WellSense offers our free Care Management Program to help members with conditions like asthma, diabetes or other special health needs. Qualifying members receive personalized care management from a nurse or social worker. The care manager can help manage your healthcare needs with special attention to your condition(s). This includes:

  • Helping you understand and manage your specific disease(s) or condition(s)
  • Helping you access essential services in your community, such as housing resources and food pantries
  • Having regular check-ins overthe phone regarding your health and your needs
  • Coordinating your care with your doctors, other healthcare providers and community partners
icon-phone

 

855-833-8119
Call our Care Management Referral line to learn more about Care Management and see if this voluntary program is right for you