WellCare Health Plans awarded URAC accreditation

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) announced today that it has been awarded a Full Health Plan Accreditation for its HealthEase of Florida and WellCare of Florida subsidiaries by URAC, a Washington, DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. URAC's Health Plan Accreditation standards include key quality benchmarks for network management, provider credentialing, utilization management, quality management and improvement and consumer protection. The accredited WellCare companies participate in the Florida Medicare, Medicaid and Healthy Kids programs.

“Accreditation by URAC - the nation's largest accrediting body for health care - speaks volumes about the Company's capabilities and priorities.”

"Recognition by URAC requires tremendous effort and a true commitment to quality and accountability," said Dr. Glenn Steele, who chairs the WellCare Board of Directors' Health Care Quality and Access Committee and serves as president and chief executive officer of Geisinger Health System. "These accreditations are a testament to the Company's ongoing transformation."

WellCare provides managed care services exclusively for government-sponsored health care programs serving Medicare and Medicaid members in Florida. The Company began operations more than 25 years ago in Florida, and it is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area.

"WellCare is dedicated to enhancing health care quality and access for its members through its providers and in partnership with its government customers," said Ann O. Wehr, M.D., WellCare's chief medical officer. "Accreditation by URAC - the nation's largest accrediting body for health care - speaks volumes about the Company's capabilities and priorities."

The URAC accreditation process demonstrates a commitment to quality services and serves as a framework to improve business processes through benchmarking organizations against nationally recognized standards. The URAC standards development process is consensus driven, with over hundreds of industry experts serving as volunteers to revise appropriate industry benchmarks.

"By applying for and receiving URAC Health Plan Accreditation, WellCare has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care," said Alan P. Spielman, URAC president and Chief executive officer. "Quality health care is crucial to our nation's welfare, and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards and undergo rigorous evaluation by an independent accrediting body."