WellCare Sponsors 2017 Midlands Heart Walk

COLUMBIA, S.C. and TAMPA, Fla., March 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To help the fight against our nation's number one killer, cardiovascular disease, WellCare of South Carolina, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), is sponsoring the American Heart Association's (AHA) 2017 Midland Heart Walk, on Saturday, April 1.

"Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim more than 787,000 lives every year," said Dr. Robert London, WellCare of South Carolina's senior medical director. "This is one of the most important public health concerns in the United States and disproportionately impacts the members WellCare serves."

Individuals with Medicaid coverage are more likely to have cardiovascular conditions than those who have other types of health insurance coverage. Recent data shows that 53 percent of all adults with Medicaid coverage – more than 16 million individuals – have a history of some type of cardiovascular illness.

The Midlands Heart Walk, beginning at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, is a non-competitive walk (1-mile or 3-mile routes available) designed to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living. All funds raised will help the AHA's fight against heart disease and stroke.

"We're proud to support the AHA's Midlands Heart Walk and share our commitment to the health of our members, our associates and the communities we serve, through physical activity," said Kathy Warner, WellCare's state president in South Carolina.

For more information about AHA's Heart Walks, visit http://www.heartwalk.org.

As of Dec. 31, 2016, WellCare serves approximately 87,000 Medicaid members, 11,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members and 4,000 Medicare Advantage members in South Carolina.

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 3.9 million members nationwide as of Dec. 31, 2016. 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.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.