UMass Memorial Health

In September, Mary Hsieh became the first CEO of the newly created Mass Advantage, the insurance offered by Worcester healthcare provider UMass Memorial Health and its partners.

UMass Memorial Health’s new Medicare Advantage health insurance plan, Mass Advantage, announced on Wednesday five hires who will make up its leadership staff.

In a Wednesday town hall meeting, UMass Memorial Health President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson discussed the progression of the organization’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, as well as plans to address the region’s bed shortage crisis.

In a Tweet on Friday afternoon, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker told Saint Vincent Hospital and the Massachusetts Nurses Association union to end the strike ongoing at the Worcester healthcare facility since March 8.

UMass Memorial Health in Worcester said on Thursday it has no available intensive care unit beds throughout its entire system due to increased patient volume and staffing shortages, said UMass Memorial spokesman Anthony Berry.

UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester has seen an increase in COVID-positive patients from 35 to 54 cases in less than one week, forcing the hospital to go on an elevated alert status, according to a Tuesday press release.

Holes in health insurance coverage are causing major disparities, as well as a growing burden on Central Massachusetts healthcare providers.

A new Medicare health plan dubbed Mass Advantage and owned by UMass Memorial Health Ventures, Inc., Shields Managed Care Solutions, LLC, and WCAS CM Holdings LLC will become available to Worcester County residents in the coming months.

UMass Memorial Health on Monday announced the acquisition of the former Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center at 378 Plantation St. in Worcester, which cost $23.5 million, according to the Worcester County Registry of Deeds.

The new program at UMass Memorial Health offers hospital-level care to patients in their own homes, using virtual monitoring systems and at-home visits from healthcare professionals.