WellCare Offers Georgia Seniors 2016 Medicare Advantage Options That Support Preventive and Maintenance Care

ATLANTA and TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) will offer seniors an expanded variety of Medicare Advantage plans in Georgia for 2016 that provide more benefits and services than Original Medicare.

During the 2016 Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which began Oct. 15, 2015, and ends Dec. 7, 2015, those who are eligible for Medicare will be able to select WellCare plans that are specifically designed to meet the needs of cost-conscious seniors seeking to get and stay healthy. With this in mind, most plans offer a $0 premium combined with extra benefits that include dental, vision, hearing, and a complimentary fitness program not available with Original Medicare.

New in 2016 is the Essential plan, which features a Point of Service benefit that will allow Georgia seniors to go to any doctor of their choosing by paying a co-insurance.

All Georgia Medicare Advantage plans offer a monthly allowance to help purchase needed over-the-counter health items, such as vitamins, toothbrushes and cold remedies.

WellCare's Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans now also feature a unified national pharmacy network with key national retailers, including CVS, Walgreens and Walmart.* This simplified benefit design allows a member to pay the same cost share for a medication at all network pharmacies, and it eliminates the need for seniors to have to worry about preferred pricing rules. Customer service representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST seven days a week to help members with questions about their coverage and medications. In addition, WellCare offers an online formulary tool for members and those interested in the plan to look up drugs, coverage options and formulary alternatives. To access this tool, go to www.wellcare.com/Georgia/Find-My-Plan and enter the plan type and your zip code.

"It is important for seniors to select a plan that will help them achieve and maintain optimal health," said Roman Kulich, WellCare's region president, Georgia and South Carolina. "We are proud that WellCare offers expanded benefits, which help fill the critical coverage gaps for eligible seniors."

WellCare Medicare Advantage plans are available in these 31 counties: Barrow, Bryan, Butts, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, De Kalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Glynn, Gwinnett, Harris, Henry, Liberty, McIntosh, Meriwether, McDuffie, Muscogee, Newton, Paulding, Richmond, Rockdale, Spalding, Stewart, Talbot, and Walton counties. For more information on becoming a WellCare member, or to learn more about the company's plans and services, please visit www.wellcare.com or call toll-free 1-800-865-1563.

As of Sept. 30, 2015, WellCare serves approximately 590,500 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® plan members, 35,000 Medicare Advantage members and 23,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Georgia.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2015. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

WellCare (HMO) - Medicare Advantage
WellCare (HMO) is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in WellCare (HMO) depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on Jan. 1 of each year. WellCare uses a formulary. The formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Please contact WellCare for details.

*Other pharmacies and providers are available in our network.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.