TAMPA, Fla. (June 9, 2014) — WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) is enhancing its Medicaid benefits in Kentucky by eliminating most member co-pays and covering the cost of General Educational Development (GED) testing and coursework for eligible members. These benefits become effective on July 1 and continue through the end of the year.

All WellCare of Kentucky Medicaid members will have $0 co-pays for their health care services, with the exception of non-emergency visits to the emergency room (ER). All members, except those living in Region 3, will also have $0 co-pays for preferred brand and generic medications. Members living in Region 3, which includes Breckinridge, Bullitt, Carroll, Grayson, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble and Washington counties, will continue to have a $4 co-pay for preferred brand medications and a $0 co-pay for generic medications.

The GED benefit will be available to WellCare of Kentucky Medicaid members, with the exception of those living in Region 3, who are at least 16 years old, not currently enrolled in high school, not a graduate from an accredited high school, and have not received a high school equivalency certificate or diploma. To help ensure testing success, members must complete the required GED coursework at an adult testing center.

“As the largest Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) in the commonwealth, we have an opportunity to positively impact the health of hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians by removing the copay as a potential barrier to seeking needed care,” said Kelly Munson, state president, WellCare of Kentucky. “We also know that one of the social factors that researchers agree is linked to longer, healthier lives is education. WellCare is investing in meaningful benefits that have the potential to improve lives and ultimately reduce the long-term costs of health care.”

Region 3’s benefits will be determined in fall 2014 to align with its open enrollment. Open enrollment for the rest of the commonwealth ends on June 18, 2014.

WellCare’s Kentucky Medicaid members will continue to have access to other expanded benefits that include $120 in credit toward over-the-counter (OTC) supplies, free baby essentials and strollers for pregnant women, rewards for keeping preventive care visits and a 24-hour nurse advice line.
For more information about these and other WellCare Medicaid benefits in Kentucky, please visit http://kentucky.wellcare.com/member or call 1-877-389-9457 (TTY/TDD 1-877-247-6272) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As of March 31, 2014, WellCare serves approximately 372,000 Medicaid members, 4,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 18,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Kentucky.
 
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, Fla., WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind, and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company serves approximately 3.5 million members nationwide as of March 31, 2014. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com.

Investor Relations
Gregg Haddad
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gregg.haddad@wellcare.com
 
Media Relations
Marq Caughell
813-206-3956
marq.caughell@wellcare.com