Recap of Your 2019 Additional Benefits, Allowances and Programs*
Posted on May 6, 2019
Increased Dental Allowance
This year, Health New England increased your dental allowance from $150 to $250 per calendar year. Original Medicare does not cover preventive dental services; however, Health New England offers this as an additional benefit to our Medicare Advantage members. The dental allowance lets you receive dental services from any dentist and then get reimbursed for up to $250 of the cost. The service must be provided by a business established to provide dental services. There is no dental network or limits on the type of service. The service must be used toward the promotion of oral health or oral improvement. Use your $250 annual dental allowance towards dental exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, dental x-rays, and more. For reimbursement, you must fill out an Additional Benefits reimbursement form and submit your receipts to Health New England. The form can be found at healthnewengland.org/medicare/forms.
Improved Vision Care Benefit1
With the 2019 EyeMed® additional benefit, you pay nothing for one routine eye exam with refraction per calendar year. You also receive a $100 allowance for your prescription eyewear every two calendar years, when obtained from an in-network EyeMed provider. The $100 allowance is applied to your purchase at the point of service and is not a reimbursement. Covered items include eyeglasses (lenses and/or frames) and contact lenses. To find an In-Network EyeMed Provider near you: Go to eyemedvisioncare.com/locator. Be sure to select Access in the “Choose Network” drop-down menu or call (866) 723-0596 for assistance. Learn more at healthnewengland.org/medicare/eyemed.
1Available at in-network EyeMed provider locations.
Added Fitness Tracker Reimbursement
As part of the annual $150 fitness and safety item reimbursement, in 2019 you can get reimbursed for a Fitness or Activity Tracker. This reimbursement is part of a combined benefit total of up to $150 per calendar year for a fitness center membership, Weight Watchers® program, acupuncture, activity tracker and/or over-the-counter items, which include shower chairs, grab bars, raised toilet seats, automatic blood pressure cuffs, bathtub benches/stools and compression stockings. You must pay for the items or services first and then submit appropriate receipts and documentation for reimbursement. Find the 2019 Additional Benefits reimbursement form at healthnewengland.org/medicare/forms.
Hearing Aids
Save thousands of dollars with our hearing aid benefit, provided through TruHearing®. Health New England Medicare Advantage plans cover up to two hearing aids per year when purchased through TruHearing,2 with a copayment of $699 per aid for the Advanced option or $999 per aid for the Premium option. Learn more about what’s new from TruHearing for 2019 at healthnewengland.org/medicare/TruHearing-select-2019.
2You must see a TruHearing provider to use this benefit. Other providers are available in our network. Please note, hearing aids purchased through other providers are not covered.
New Diabetes and Congestive Heart Failure Care Management Program
For members who have been diagnosed with both Diabetes and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), you may be eligible to enroll in our Diabetes/CHF Care Management Program for better management of both conditions. Upon enrollment and successful completion of the Diabetes/CHF Care Management Program, you will be eligible for copayment reimbursement for visits with your primary care provider, endocrinologist, cardiologist, certified diabetic educator, and nutritional counselor.
New Falls Prevention Program
For members who have been diagnosed with gait and mobility difficulties, you may be eligible to enroll in our Falls Prevention Program. The goals of this program are to decrease falls, thereby preventing injuries and hospital or rehab stays, and maintain independence. Upon enrollment and successful completion of the Falls Prevention Program, you will be eligible for copayment reimbursement for your physical and occupational therapy.
For questions about these or any of your benefits, please call Member Services at (413) 787-0010 or (877) 443-3314 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Oct. 1 – Mar. 31: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., seven days a week).
*Health New England Medicare Advantage is an HMO and HMO-POS Plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Health New England Medicare Advantage depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call (413) 787-0010 (TTY: 711) for more information. The additional benefits are covered under all Massachusetts Health New England Medicare Advantage plans. Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Health New England members, except in emergency situations. Please call our Member Services number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost sharing that applies to out-of-network services.
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