WellCare offers expanded plans for South Carolina seniors
November 30, 2015
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) will offer seniors an expanded variety of Medicare Advantage plans in South Carolina 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 and hearing coverage not available under Original Medicare.
All plans feature a monthly allowance to help purchase needed over-the-counter health items, such as vitamins, toothbrushes and cold remedies. All plans also offer a flat rate for outpatient surgeries, and most plans include a complimentary fitness membership.
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/South-Carolina/Find-My-Plan and enter their plan type and zip code.
“Selecting a plan is one of the most critical decisions that seniors make each year,” said Kathy Warner, WellCare’s state president in South Carolina. “WellCare of South Carolina is proud to offer additional benefits to fill the crucial coverage gap for eligible seniors with $0 premiums, no deductible for Tier 1 formulary drugs and a flat rate for outpatient surgery.”
WellCare Medicare Advantage plans are available in these 10 counties: Abbeville, Cherokee, Greenville,Greenwood, McCormick, Newberry, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg and Union.
As of Sept. 30, 2015, WellCare serves approximately 62,300 Medicaid members, 27,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members and 3,000 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 3.8 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.
