Assisted living facilities primarily help residents with non-medical needs. Although minor and infrequent medical services, such as first-aid for a wound, can sometimes be met on-site by nurses. These communities may sometimes also be called ALFs, residential care facilities, retirement homes, or long-term care facilities.
The financial options available to help pay for senior care is dependent on, among other things, the type of care that is required. If you are just beginning the research process on how to pay for long-term care, it is helpful to have an idea about the type of care you or your loved one currently requires, as well as to anticipate future needs. In addition, it is important to be familiar with the associated eldercare terminology.
Can using home care technology help your family save money caring for an aging loved one? The answer is most certainly “Yes”. Our goal is not to provide a comprehensive list, but rather to make sense of those that are available on the market today and can reduce the care hours required by elderly persons. As such, they can reduce a family’s out-of-pocket care costs or reduce the hours they spend providing care themselves.
Medicare Advantage (Part C), a privately offered alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B), has grown in popularity over the years. Despite the growing popularity of Medicare Advantage, some seniors face obstacles that prevent them from truly understanding how it works and who it benefits. Common mistakes about Medicare Advantage include misunderstanding its differences from Original Medicare, getting it confused with other forms of private Medicare insurance (like Medigap or Part D), or not understanding how to look up or evaluate plans.
Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is a private health plan that unifies the coverage of Medicare Parts A and B, or Original Medicare. While federal government-managed Original Medicare is the same across the country, approved private insurance companies can add benefits to their Medicare Advantage Plans.
With the exception of hospice care, all Medicare Advantage Plans must provide the same services as Original Medicare. Beyond this stipulation, private insurance companies can freely design plans within the rules and regulations specified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Consequently, each plan may have unique eligibility requirements, out-of-pocket expenses and caps on the beneficiary’s annual spending. However, it’s common for Medicare Advantage Plans to offer dental and vision coverage as well as coverage of prescription drugs. The appeal of Medicare Advantage is that it provides seniors with multiple options, enabling them to choose a plan that aligns with their unique requirements and financial situations.
As of July 2023, 48% of the country’s eligible Medicare beneficiaries have enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. This figure is a 3% increase from the previous year, with growth projected to rise to 62% by 2033 as availability and choice expand. Of New Hampshire’s over 332,000 potential enrollees, 33% have signed up for a plan, which positions the state behind all but 13 in the country for its scale of adoption. Almost 93,000 seniors were enrolled in Medicare Advantage in New Hampshire in 2022, rising to 109,000 by the following year. This increase of 17.31% suggests the adoption rate in the state is accelerating.
This guide lists the state’s top plans and shows eligible residents how to find and choose the most appropriate one for their needs.
Medicare Advantage Plans in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s eligible residents and those with disabilities can choose from 43 Medicare Advantage Plans, one less than the previous year’s 44. Seniors should carefully review their options before selecting a plan, as each is unique, although they share many commonalities.
The following table reveals New Hampshire’s top 10 Medicare Advantage providers. To help seniors determine the popularity of each, the table lists them in order of enrollment. Cost data can help compare and contrast plans, and the last column shows the providers’ types of plans.
This information is accurate as of July 2023. Current information can be found at Medicare.gov.
Name
Enrollment
Medicare Star Rating
Monthly Cost Range
Plan Types
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
25144
3
$0 – $54
PPO, HMO
UnitedHealthcare
17161
4
$0 – $50
PPO, HMO
Humana
15621
4
$0 – $58
PPO, HMO
Highmark Inc.
12966
3
$0 – $29
PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
9857
4
$0 – $146
HMO
Martin’s Point Generations Advantage
9556
4.5
$0 – $99
PPO, HMO
Wellcare
5065
3
$0 – $15
PPO, HMO
WellSense Health Plan
810
N/A
$0 – $31
HMO
Aetna Medicare
380
3.5
$0 – $0
HMO
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Medicare beneficiaries have a choice between different Advantage plan types, and each has its own coverage rules and stipulations. The four main types of Medicare Advantage Plans in New Hampshire are Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) and Special Needs Plan (SNP). Each one varies in price and differs when it comes to the referral requirements and the physicians network available to enrollees. The graphic below compares the four main types of Medicare Advantage plans.
What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in New Hampshire
Medicare Advantage plans cover the same services as Original Medicare, excluding hospice care which remains covered under Medicare Part A. This includes services such as preventative screenings, hospital care and durable medical equipment, including wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
Medicare Advantage plan providers can also offer additional benefits such as dental, vision, hearing aids and prescription drug coverage. These extra benefits vary by plan, and it’s important to carefully review plan documents before selecting one.
Coverage Available With Medicare Parts A & B?
Coverage Available With Medicare Advantage?
Preventive Screenings
Yes
Yes
Hospital Care
Yes
Yes
Durable Medical Equipment
Yes
Yes
Prescription Drugs
No
Yes**
Vision Care
No
Yes*
Dental Care
No
Yes*
Hearing Aids
No
Yes*
*Select plans offer this coverage
** Most plans offer this coverage
Eligibility for Medicare Advantage in New Hampshire
In the state of New Hampshire, all seniors age 65 and older adults with disabilities that make them eligible for Medicare Parts A and B can enroll in Medicare Advantage. Beneficiaries must be enrolled in Original Medicare before they can enroll in Medicare Advantage.
Some Medicare Advantage plans have additional eligibility requirements. For example, Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP) are only available to those who are living with specific diseases or chronic conditions.
Medicare Advantage enrollment is only available during specific enrollment periods. It’s important for those considering Medicare Advantage to keep these enrollment periods in mind since there’s no way to modify coverage or sign up for a plan once the enrollment period is over. Medicare Advantage enrollment periods include:
Initial Coverage Election Period: This is the initial 7-month period, coinciding with one’s 65th birthday, during which everyone is eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Annual Election Period (AEP): Also referred to as the Open Enrollment Period, this the time of year when anyone over 65 can enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time or change to a new plan.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: During this period, those who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can switch to a different plan or switch back to Original Medicare.
Start Date
End Date
Initial Coverage Election Period
3 Months Before One’s 65th Birth Month
3 Months After One’s 65th Birth Month
Annual Election Period (AEP)
October 15th
December 7th
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
January 1st
March 31st
Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan participants can change their plan outside of these enrollment periods under certain qualifying circumstances, such as moving to a new state.
How to Find & Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan in New Hampshire
Navigating the many intricacies of Medicare Advantage plan types, insurers, and the specific plan options available by region can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Below are several resources we’ve created to help you through the process.
First is a downloadable PDF that you can use as a guide to help you compare plans as you research. Finally, we have listed a number of organizations that you can contact with experts that will help you determine whether Medicare Advantage is right for you and what plans you should consider.
New Hampshire’s Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services provides social services and support to adults aged 60 and older. This state department has trained, certified Medicare specialists on staff who can help seniors understand their options when it comes to Medicare Advantage and other benefits.
The Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services’ Medicare specialists are available at ServiceLink Resource Centers throughout the state. Seniors can call 1-866-634-8412 to locate their nearest center or view a list of locations here.
The New Hampshire Insurance Department provides a variety of resources and information about Medicare and Medicare Advantage, as well as long-term care insurance and other insurance plans that are applicable to senior citizens.
Seniors who have concerns about their insurance provider or questions regarding Medicare Advantage plans can seek assistance by calling the department’s consumer hotline at 1-800-852-3416.
New Hampshire Medicaid Program
The New Hampshire Medicaid Program operates under the supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services. This program administers Medicaid plans for low-income individuals throughout the state. Its staff offers assistance to those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, helping to coordinate benefits, answer questions about medical bills and access health care and other services that are covered by their benefit plans.
Questions about benefits in New Hampshire can be directed to the New Hampshire Medicaid Program by calling 1-800-852-3345.
New Hampshire Medication Bridge Program
Seniors who are enrolled in Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans may qualify for the New Hampshire Medication Bridge program. This program, which is sponsored by the Foundation for Healthy Communities, helps individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid pay for the cost of long-term prescription medications. In addition to providing prescription medication assistance, the Medication Bridge Program helps seniors and other individuals understand Medicare and Medicare Advantage benefits and other social assistance programs that might be suited to their needs.
The New Hampshire Medication Bridge program can be accessed by calling the Foundation for Healthy Communities at 603-225-0900.
New Hampshire State Office of Veterans Services
Veterans and their immediate family members can seek assistance with Medicare Advantage claims, appeals and information about available plans by contacting their nearest Office of Veterans Services.
Veteran’s Affairs offices are located throughout the state. Seniors can learn more by calling the New Hampshire State Office of Veterans Services at 1-800-622-9230.
Local Medicare Advantage Resources
City of Concord Human Services
The City of Concord Human Services department offers a variety of social services and supports, including Medicare and Medicaid assistance for low-income seniors and individuals throughout the city.
Seniors can access Medicare Advantage assistance by visiting the Human Services office in person at 28 Commercial St. in Concord, or call 603-225-8575 for more information.
Our Lady of Fatima Church – Loaves and Fishes Ministry
The Loaves and Fishes Ministry is a social assistance program that helps low-income families and individuals with short-term financial needs. Most often, the program provides cash to help those in need pay for utilities, food or clothing; however, the program does accept other requests on a case-by-case basis and in temporary times of need may be able to provide assistance with Medicare Advantage premiums or other health care expenses.
To request assistance, seniors may call the ministry’s helpline at 1-800-978-6395 and leave a message. The ministry returns all calls within 24 hours.
City of Manchester Department of Senior Services
The Manchester Senior Services department provides a broad range of assistance services for elderly persons in the city and the surrounding areas. This includes Medicare and Medicaid counseling services that are designed to help seniors understand their benefits, file claims and manage appeals whenever needed.
Medicare or Medicaid benefits counseling or assistance through the Senior Services department is available at the William B. Cashin Senior Activity Center, which is located at 151 Douglas Street in Manchester. Alternatively, seniors may call 603-624-6533 for more information.
