ATLANTA AND TAMPA, Fla., March 22,
2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare of Georgia, a subsidiary of WellCare Health
Plans, Inc. (NYSE:WCG), is expanding Medicaid value-added benefits
in the state by offering its members a new vision benefit,
additional perks for mothers and children, more healthy rewards
activities, transportation assistance and alternative therapy for
members with cognitive, behavioral or developmental disabilities,
at no cost to the member, or the member's parents or guardians.
These benefits are effective July 1,
2017.
WellCare is providing $100 towards
adult eyeglasses in the vision benefit. The vision program will
provide members ages 21 and older with a vision exam and a free
pair of glasses annually.
Members who are pregnant are still eligible to receive a free
cell phone with unlimited data, talk and text to stay in touch with
their WellCare care manager, providers and family members.
Expectant mothers will also receive a $50 debit card and can elect to receive an
electric breast pump, or they can choose a baby stroller, play yard
or six packs of diapers.
WellCare members ages 6 to 18 can now join the Boy Scouts, or
they can enroll in the Boys & Girls Clubs or Girl
Scouts.
The Healthy Rewards program is available to all WellCare of
Georgia Medicaid members. Members are rewarded when they complete
specific preventive health and wellness milestones. The achievement
of a healthy behavior will earn the member a debit card with an
amount up to $50, depending on the
type of healthy behavior completed. Members can earn more than
$100 annually through this program,
and those members who have completed an annual adolescent
well-child visit, HbA1c lab test or diabetic eye exam will be
entered into a quarterly raffle to receive an iPad, Apple Watch or
Fitbit. Eligible members will also receive a discount card that
will save them on everyday items like food, diapers and wipes.
"We are committed to continually improving the care and services
we provide to our members to help them stay healthy," said Dr.
John Alexander Johnson, senior
medical director, WellCare of Georgia. "People who have relationships with
their primary care physicians receive better access to needed
services, are more likely to obtain health screenings and receive
early management for health problems."
WellCare of Georgia is
providing its members with transportation assistance to get to
medical appointments and pharmacies. WellCare's community liaisons
will coordinate and assist with non-emergency medical
transportation for members who need help navigating the process of
scheduling transportation with the state's vendor. Community
liaisons will also assist members in finding alternative options,
like Uber, to help members get to needed appointments when state
transportation is not available.
"Unfortunately, 'no transportation' is a frequently cited
problem for people when they miss medical appointments," said Dr.
Johnson. "Greater access to health care has been related to better
health status, more frequent use of preventive services, and lower
hospitalization rates."
Eligible members will also have access to equine (horse) therapy
to help address and treat cognitive, behavioral or developmental
disabilities.
WellCare of Georgia Medicaid members will continue to have
access to its other value-added benefits including:
- A $144 credit toward
over-the-counter (OTC) supplies;
- Free General Educational Development (GED) testing for eligible
members;
- A free baby shower event for members who are pregnant or who
have given birth within the past year. The shower includes a gift
and tips for moms on how to raise healthy babies; and
- Free fitness club and Weight Watchers®
memberships.
For more information about WellCare of Georgia's value-added benefits, please visit
www.wellcare.com/Georgia or call 1-866-231-1821 (TTY
1-877-247-6272) Monday through Friday from 7
a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
As of Dec. 31, 2016, WellCare
serves approximately 571,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® plan
members, 40,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 23,000 Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan members in Georgia. To learn more about how we care for
Georgians watch Gloria's story at http://youtu.be/qyn-nywze04.
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. The company 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.