COLUMBIA, S.C. and TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), a leading provider of managed care services for government-sponsored health care programs, is eliminating co-pays for primary care physician visits and other medical care services for its South Carolina Medicaid members. This benefit became effective Nov. 1, 2015.

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WellCare is committed to reducing barriers that can prevent many low-income South Carolinians from seeking medical treatment, particularly primary and preventive care services that allow medical problems to be discovered and treated earlier.

Primary care is crucial to achieving and maintaining health, and has been shown to reduce health disparities often found in low-income populations. Studies have shown that people who have relationships with their primary care physicians receive better access to needed services, are more likely to get preventive screenings, and receive early management for health problems.

"We have an opportunity to expand the positive impact we are having on member health by increasing access to preventive care," said Kathy Warner, WellCare's state president for South Carolina. "Many factors impact the choice between preventive and urgent care, and we know that people who have a primary care physician tend to visit the ER less frequently and experience fewer hospital stays."

In addition to $0 co-pays for primary care physician visits, WellCare Medicaid members in South Carolina now have $0 co-pays for treatment at ambulatory surgery centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers and rural health clinics; with chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists; and for home health and durable medical equipment.

For more information on becoming a WellCare member, or to learn more about WellCare's plans and services, please visit www.wellcare.com or call toll-free 877-552-4642.

As of Sept. 30, 2015, WellCare serves approximately 62,000 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.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.