The insurer is gearing up for its first-ever open enrollment period 

Worcester, Mass – Mass Advantage, a new Medicare Advantage health plan owned by UMass Memorial Health Ventures, Shields Managed Care Solutions, LLC, and WCAS CM Holdings LLC, is ready to do business in Worcester County. The plan will offer a selection of PPO and HMO options and Medicare-eligible Worcester County residents may select Mass Advantage as their health plan when Medicare’s annual enrollment period begins on October 15. Coverage for newly enrolled members will begin on January 1, 2022. The plan will give Medicare beneficiaries access to the lifesaving, world-class resources of UMass Memorial Health, as well as to other providers. 

Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug Plans, such as Mass Advantage, offer an alternate route for Medicare Parts A, B, and D coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare and must cover all benefits offered under traditional Medicare. These are comprehensive programs that offer medical and prescription drug coverage and may include additional benefits such as dental, vision care, fitness, and other supplemental benefits.  

“Our push to become a more integrated health care provider was missing this component,” said Eric Dickson, MD, President and CEO of UMass Memorial Health. “Mass Advantage will give Medicare beneficiaries access to everything UMass Memorial has to offer - including our world-class clinical staff. Mass Advantage was created by local people who understand this community and who over time have built up a great deal of trust.”  

This past Spring, Mass Advantage submitted an application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to operate a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan in Worcester County.*  Mass Advantage also has been licensed by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance as a health maintenance organization. The plan will focus on simplifying the member healthcare journey and improving the health and wellbeing of its members. 

“Nobody understands the health care needs of Central Massachusetts residents better than UMass Memorial Heath,” said Jack Shields, CEO of Shields Managed Care Solutions. “That’s why Shields Managed Care Solutions is so pleased to work with them to provide individuals eligible for Medicare in Central Massachusetts access to affordable, high-quality care.  Mass Advantage’s innovative approach to care delivery will enable these Medicare-eligible residents to obtain the care they need right in their community.” 

“I’m a two-decade believer in Medicare Advantage, which was created in 2003 during my time as CMS Administrator,” said Tom Scully, General Partner at Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe and former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.  “I can think of no one better to be the leading provider of health care for Mass Advantage than UMass Memorial Health. We’ve had a great partnership with UMass Memorial Health and Shields in the pharmacy space and I’m very excited to work with them again.  I take great pride in knowing that our investment will allow Mass Advantage to deliver integrated care to seniors and individuals eligible for Medicare in Central Massachusetts.” 

Mass Advantage will offer several in-person and virtual informational seminars for Medicare beneficiaries beginning in October. Additionally, anyone interested in receiving more information about Mass Advantage can visit www.massadvantage.com/learnmore and request information about available options. Details about eligibility and benefits will be provided after October 1. 

Interested consumers can sign-up directly for the plan and get detailed information about their Medicare benefits and eligibility during Medicare’s annual enrollment period beginning in October. 

*Mass Advantage is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract offering HMO and PPO plans. Mass Advantage does not yet have a fully executed contract with CMS to offer this plan but anticipates having a signed contract in September. Enrollment in Mass Advantage depends on contract execution and renewal. Other providers and physicians are available in our network. 

About Mass Advantage  

Launched in 2021, Mass Advantage is a health insurance company established to serve residents in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Mass Advantage offers Medicare Advantage plans that provide access to the physicians and services of UMass Memorial Health, as well as other providers. Mass Advantage is owned by UMass Memorial Health Ventures, Inc., Shields Managed Care Solutions, LLC and WCAS CM Holdings LLC.