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.