TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), a leading provider of managed care services for government-sponsored health care programs, announced today that it named Lauralie Rubel state president, Iowa, effective August 9, 2015. Under Rubel's leadership, WellCare will serve Iowa Medicaid, the Iowa Health and Wellness plan, and the Healthy and Well Kid in Iowa (hawk-i) programs. She will also lead WellCare's efforts to care for Iowans who participate in the state's seven home- and community-based services waiver (HCBS) programs: AIDS/HIV, Brain Injury, Children's Mental Health, Elderly, Health and Disability, Intellectual Disabilities, and Physical Disability.

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"WellCare has a long history of dedication to serving the nation's low-income, disabled and extremely ill, and is uniquely positioned to deliver quality and cost effective care in Iowa, with an emphasis on education and preventive services that will help Iowans live better, healthier lives," said Rubel. "I'm honored to have an opportunity to partner with the state, providers and communities to help ensure our members get the care they need, when and where they need it, to deliver better health outcomes and to lower the cost of care for Iowans."

"Lauralie is a results-driven professional with more than 21 years of experience in the health care industry, and importantly, has a heart for service," said Dave Reynolds, WellCare's SVP, Division President for Iowa and six other markets. "Her deep understanding of the healthcare industry and concern for people will be instrumental in the delivery of quality care for Iowans."

Most recently, Rubel was WellCare's vice present of market development, where she was focused on new market growth, including operations planning, network development and contract negotiations. Since joining WellCare in 2005 as the director of provider relations, Rubel has held leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including serving as the vice president of provider strategy, vice president of market initiatives for the launch of the company's Medicaid business in Kentucky, chief operating officer for Atlanta and north Georgia, and vice president of training. She has also held leadership roles at UHS-Pruitt Corporation, Humana and Covenant Health.

Rubel attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and holds a bachelor's degree in Organizational Management from Tusculum College, Greeneville, Tennessee.

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 June 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.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.