Fallon Health Sends Care Package to Members

WORCESTER — Fallon Health announced it mailed care packages to help members covered under its Fallon Medicare Plus and NaviCare plans manage their health during winter months, when illnesses and social isolation tend to spike.

“Fallon Health has been improving health and inspiring hope for 45 years,” said Deb Daviau, vice president of Medicare and executive director of NaviCare at Fallon Health. “With an emphasis on caring for older adults, we know how important it is for our members to maintain their mental health, too. It is our hope that some of the package’s contents also help them find activities to beat the winter blues.”

The packages, delivered to about 24,000 Fallon members in December 2021, included a large bottle of hand sanitizer, a pocket-sized bottle of hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes, tissues, a flu-vaccine tip sheet, a fleece-lined winter hat, and a puzzle book.

The care packages also serve as a reminder that there is still time to get vaccinated against influenza, which has been increasing in activity, according to the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Between 70% and 85% of flu-related deaths occur in people age 65 or older, according to data from the CDC. A flu vaccine is the best protection against influenza.

“We know that older populations are at much greater risk of complications from the flu and other winter-related ailments,” said Dr. David Brumley, vice president of Medical Affairs and interim chief medical officer for Fallon Health. “The majority of our Fallon Medicare Plus membership, and all of our NaviCare membership, is 65 and older, and so we wanted to provide them with some tools to keep them safe.”

Last year, Fallon also sent meals and COVID-19 care packages to members most at risk of, and most impacted by, the coronavirus.