New partnership expands WellCare members' access to Mission Health System in NC next year

WellCare of North Carolina, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), a leading provider of Medicaid and Medicare services, announced today that Mission Health will join the health plan’s provider network.

WellCare’s members will have full access to Asheville, North Carolina-based Mission Health System’s full spectrum of healthcare services. The robust providers include six hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, post-acute care provider CarePartners, long-term acute care provider Asheville Specialty Hospital, and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center.

“Our members’ health is our first priority, and we must ensure that they get the right care at the right time in the most appropriate setting,” said Gregg MacDonald, senior vice president, division president at WellCare. “Mission Health System is a strong addition to our network of providers. We look forward to working with them to help our members live better, healthier lives.”

Mission Health has been recognized by Truven Health Analytics/IBM Watson Health as a “Top 15 health systems” in five of the last six years between 2012-2017, and is the only health system in North Carolina to achieve this recognition.

“We’ve finalized the details of a new agreement that is mutually beneficial for both organizations,” said Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO at Mission Health. “More importantly, both organizations recognize and appreciate a collaborative and fair agreement that allows Mission Health to continue providing the highest level of services to the communities we serve.”

As of June 30, 2017, WellCare serves approximately 33,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in North Carolina.

To learn more about the company, please visit www.wellcare.com or call toll-free 1-877-841-6072.

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 4.4 million members nationwide as of June 30, 2017. 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.