JACKSON, Miss. and TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), announced today that it will award $5,000 in micro-grants to support social service organizations in Mississippi that address care gaps related to education, homeless and housing services, obesity and substance use disorder. Nonprofit and 501(c)(3) organizations that offer services in these areas are encouraged to apply. The micro-grants will be awarded in denominations of $500, $1,000 and $1,500.

"WellCare's micro-grant program is part of our commitment to supporting community-based organizations that are making a difference in the lives of Mississippians," said Chris Swigon, WellCare's regional manager of community advocacy.

Qualifying organizations can apply by completing a short application online at http://www.thecommunitycommitment.org/micro-grant-request-submission. The application period will be open until March 11, 2017. Awardees will be notified in March. For more information about the micro-grants, email Christopher.Swigon@wellcare.com.

As of Dec. 31, 2016, WellCare serves approximately 20,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 35,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Mississippi.

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 3.9 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.