TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare of Florida, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc., (NYSE: WCG), will offer a variety of Medicare Advantage plans in 2017 with more benefits and lower costs than last year, all designed to help older adults get and stay healthy through preventive health measures and disease management.

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"So many Medicare beneficiaries are living on fixed incomes," said Jeff Ray, WellCare of Florida's vice president of field sales and marketing. "We designed our Medicare Advantage plans with this in mind, with all plans offering $0 copays for primary care visits and $0 copays for many common, generic drugs. This, in addition to a strong focus on preventive measures, is meant to help our members improve or maintain their health and worry less about health care expenses. We feel our plans will offer many value added benefits and will present an attractive option for people with Medicare as they choose plans during the 2017 Open Enrollment Period, which is just around the corner."

During the 2017 Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2016, those who are Medicare eligible will be able to select from a variety of WellCare plans that are specifically designed to meet the needs of cost-conscious seniors and others with Medicare who are seeking a plan that offers extra benefits beyond Original Medicare. All plans offer a $0 premium combined with extra benefits that include dental, vision and hearing coverage. All plans also offer routine chiropractic services.

Other benefits available in some plans:


    --  A partial return of Part B premiums to the enrollee, ranging from $35 to
        $104.90 per month.
    --  A monthly allowance to help purchase needed over-the-counter health
        items, such as vitamins, toothbrushes and pain relievers.
    --  Complimentary access to the Silver Sneakers program in local fitness
        facilities.
    --  Free transportation to medical appointments.

WellCare's Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans 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.

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. For more information about WellCare Medicare Advantage plans, go to www.WellCareNow.com.

WellCare Medicare Advantage plans are available in 52 of Florida's 67 counties. As of June 30, 2016, WellCare serves approximately 773,000 Medicaid members, 60,000 Florida Healthy Kids members, 92,000 Medicare Advantage members, and 29,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Florida.

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, 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.

WellCare (HMO) - Medicare Advantage
WellCare (HMO) is Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in WellCare (HMO) depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year. WellCare uses a formulary. The formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. You must continue to pay their Medicare Part B premium. Please contact WellCare for details.
*Other pharmacies and providers are in our network.

Disclaimers
 WellCare complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-374-4056 (TTY: 711)
ATENCION: si habla espanol, tiene a su disposicion servicios gratuitos de asistencia linguistica. Llame al 1-877-374-4056 (TTY: 711).
1-877-374-4056 TTY 711

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.