WCG - WellCare Enhances 2019 Medicare Benefits to Address Needs Beyond Healthcare

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As seniors and their families shop for 2019 health insurance coverage during this year's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), running Oct. 15-Dec. 7, 2018, WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) is committed to providing more meaningful benefits and plan options above and beyond Original Medicare to help seniors with their medical and prescription drug needs. 

Going Beyond Medical Benefits
While access to quality healthcare is vital to good health, estimates show healthcare only accounts for 10 to 20 percent¹ of a person's health outcomes. The rest can be attributed to social, economic and environmental factors, which, for many seniors, includes issues like home help, transportation, social isolation and access to healthy foods. To help address these challenges, many WellCare Medicare Advantage plans will now offer the following extra benefits to seniors:

• In Home Support Services: Up to 24 visits (48 hours) per year for help at home with light cleaning, household chores and meal preparation;
• Transportation: Up to 60 one-way trips to healthcare-related locations;
• Delivered Meals: Up to 84 meals delivered annually;
• Personal Emergency Response System: At-home monitoring system with a pendant that can be activated in an emergency;
• Fitness membership: Access to health clubs and social supports to encourage community involvement.

"At WellCare, we understand being healthy is affected by so many parts of daily life. That's why we are committed to helping our members not only access the right doctors and specialists, but also the right programs and services, such as transportation, home support or meal delivery. This holistic approach will help our seniors make informed health decisions, remain active and independent, and live a full and active lifestyle," said Michael Polen, WellCare's executive vice president, Medicare and operations.

Offering One of the Nation's Lowest Premium Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDP)
New in 2019, WellCare will also offer its Value Script Plan nationally, which has one of the lowest premiums in the industry. The plan features a premium under $17 in all regions and is the lowest premium plan in 39 states and Washington D.C, according to an analysis of data recently released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS²).

Beyond low premiums, WellCare's Value Script Plan, which includes rich formulary coverage and a national network of more than 68,000 pharmacies, will help seniors save money with a $0-deductible on tier-1 and tier-2 drugs and a $0-copay for tier-1 drugs via preferred retail and mail-order pharmacies.

"As the cost of prescription drugs continues to rise, WellCare is committed to providing access to high-quality, affordable prescription drug coverage," said Mike Radu, WellCare's executive vice president, clinical operations and business development. "This year, we are particularly proud of our Value Script plan, which will offer some of the lowest prescription drug coverage premiums across the country."

For more information about WellCare's 2019 Medicare offerings, visit www.WellCareNow.com or call toll-free at 1-877-823-8267 (TTY: 711). Hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., local time, seven days a week.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, as well as individuals in the Health Insurance Marketplace. WellCare serves approximately 5.5 million members nationwide as of September 1, 2018. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com.

WellCare Health Plans, Inc., is an HMO, PPO, PDP, PFFS plan with a Medicare contract and is an approved Part D Sponsor. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Our plans use a formulary. You have the choice to sign up for automated mail service delivery. You can get prescription drugs shipped to your home through our network mail service delivery program. You should expect to receive your prescription drugs within <10—14 calendar> days from the time that the mail service pharmacy receives the order. If you do not receive your prescription drugs within this time, please contact us at <1-866-892-9006> (TTY <1-866-507-6135)>, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit mailrx.wellcare.com. WellCare Prescription Insurance Inc.'s pharmacy network includes limited lower-cost, preferred pharmacies in rural areas of AK. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, please call 1-888-550-5252 (TTY only, call 711) or consult the online pharmacy directory at www.wellcare.com/PDP. Please contact your plan for details
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call <1-866-999-3945> (TTY: 711).
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¹ Source: https://nam.edu/social-determinants-of-health-101-for-health-care-five-plus-five/
² Source: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/index.html

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.