The Medicare Advantage programs offered by WellSense and other companies take a holistic look at the seniors they serve, according to MacLeod and other members of the WellSense team. WellSense is a presenting sponsor of this year’s Silver Linings Senior Healthy Living Expo in Nashua, and MacLeod will be leading breakout sessions on the “advantage” in Medicare Advantage during the expo.

Building off the popularity of its Manchester Silver Linings Expo, the New Hampshire Union Leader decided to expand the event and host an expo for the first time in Nashua. Save the date for Saturday, April 20, and visit the expo between the hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nashua Senior Center, 70 Temple St., Nashua.

Today’s seniors are looking for education on their many choices, according to Louisa Simpson, part of the sales team for WellSense’s Medicare Advantage programs. “They want to make an educated choice, a choice that is right for them,” Simpson said.

MacLeod said, “Some want dental, hearing, vision. Some want the SilverSneakers program to help them stay fit.” And though today’s seniors are savvy and research-focused, there’s “still a big need for education,” he said.

Simpson points to the popularity of Medicare Advantage programs as an example of that need being met. “Not long ago, there were only four companies in New Hampshire that offered Medicare Advantage plans,” she said.

Competition has increased and consumers are more aware of their choices, especially with the proliferation of TV ads during the annual enrollment period, Simpson said.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Traditional Medicare has a Part A, mainly hospital coverage, and a Part B, doctor’s office and related coverage. Part C is where Medicare Advantage comes in. In addition to hospital and doctors’ office coverage, Medicare Advantage can offer benefits such as dental, vision, hearing and more.

Daniel Tyrpak, senior vice president of marketing and communications, said that WellSense was formed in 1997 by the Boston Medical Center as a Medicaid managed care organization, to provide high quality health care insurance to vulnerable populations. The company now provides Medicaid, Medicare and individual products in Massachusetts, and Medicare and Medicaid products in New Hampshire. The plan covers approximately 680,000 members across the two states.

The company launched its Medicare Advantage product in 2022.

In addition to in-office treatment, the company offers a Nurse Advice Line and Telehealth option. Tyrpak said, “While the pandemic didn’t affect the decision to provide Nurse Line and Telehealth, it highlighted the value to members of this service. Both of these are well-utilized benefits that provide both convenient access for members to focus on their health and preventive care.”

MacLeod noted that today’s seniors are more willing and able to advocate for themselves, and that’s good because “the plans are more complicated, the plans are more expensive, the doctors’ offices are full.”

There is no typical “today’s senior,” MacLeod and Simpson agreed. Some are homebound, with chronic conditions, and need to see more than one specialist. Others arrange their coverage between cruises.

But like the seniors who went before, they still crave the personal touch, MacLeod mused. “Member services is really big,” he said. “They want someone to answer the phone.”

For more information about WellSense and its health plan options, visit wellsense.org. For more details about the Silver Linings Senior Healthy Living Expo in Nashua, visit unionleader.com/union_leader_events.