WellCare’s ‘Ohana Health Plan Selected To Provide Managed Care Services Across Hawaii Under QUEST Integration

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) January 15, 2014

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) today announced that the Hawaii Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division, has selected the ‘Ohana Health Plan (‘Ohana) to continue serving the state through the new QUEST Integration program. ‘Ohana will cover Medicaid and other eligible individuals across Hawaii.

The QUEST Integration program combines several state health insurance programs into one statewide initiative that provides managed care services to all of Hawaii’s Medicaid populations. Beneficiaries include low-income individuals, families, children, and people who are aged, blind and/or disabled. Approximately 300,000 beneficiaries are currently receiving services through the QUEST Integration program. ‘Ohana is one of five health plans selected to receive an award. As of Sept. 30, 2013, ‘Ohana serves approximately 38,000 members in various Hawaii Medicaid programs, most of whom will become part of QUEST Integration.

The ‘Ohana award is conditioned on the execution of a definitive contract, which is expected to become effective by Jan. 31, 2014. Implementation of QUEST Integration is anticipated for Jan. 1, 2015.

“‘Ohana is pleased to continue our strong, long-standing partnership with the state of Hawaii to provide quality, cost-effective health care solutions to people across our state,” said Wendy Morriarty, state president of ‘Ohana Health Plan, Inc. “We look forward to being part of this integrated effort and continuing to help the state’s residents lead better, healthier lives.”

In addition to serving Medicaid members, as of Sept. 30, 2013, 'Ohana serves approximately 8,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 1,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members across Hawaii.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind, and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company served approximately 2.8 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2013. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at http://www.wellcare.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking" statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. For example, the company's statements regarding the anticipated number of members qualifying for the QUEST Integration program, and the anticipated dates of contract effectiveness and implementation of the program are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause WellCare's actual future results to differ materially from those projected or contemplated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, future changes in health care law, future changes in the program and its timeline, future changes in income or eligibility of potential members for the program, WellCare's ability to effectively manage growth, WellCare's ability to build and maintain cost-effective contracts with providers, the demographic mix of members, and WellCare's progress on top priorities such as improving health care quality and access, ensuring a competitive cost position, and delivering prudent, profitable growth. Additional information concerning these and other important risks and uncertainties can be found under the captions "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2013 and other subsequent filings by WellCare with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which contain discussions of WellCare's business and the various factors that may affect it. WellCare undertakes no duty to update these forward-looking statements to reflect any future events, developments, or otherwise.

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CONTACTS:
Investor Relations Gregg Haddad 813-206-3916
gregg(dot)haddad(at)wellcare(dot)com

Media Relations Denise Malecki 813-206-2747
denise(dot)malecki(at)wellcare(dot)com

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