Wellcare: Affordable Medicare Advantage Plans

WellCare is a health insurance company that offers a variety of plans for Medicare beneficiaries, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Supplement plans. In this blog post, we will explore the features, benefits, and drawbacks of WellCare’s Medicare plans, and help you decide if they are right for you.

What is WellCare?

WellCare is a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a large insurance company that operates in all 50 states and serves over 25 million members. WellCare was founded in 1985 in Tampa, Florida, as a Medicaid provider. Since then, it has expanded its services to include Medicare and other health programs¹

WellCare’s mission is to provide quality, affordable, and comprehensive health care to its members, especially those who are underserved, vulnerable, or have complex needs. WellCare strives to improve the health outcomes and well-being of its members and communities through personalized and integrated care¹

What are WellCare’s Medicare plans?

WellCare offers three types of Medicare plans: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Supplement. Each type of plan has different features, benefits, and costs, depending on your location, health needs, and preferences. Let’s take a closer look at each type of plan.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is an alternative way to get your Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) benefits, plus additional benefits that Original Medicare does not cover, such as vision, dental, hearing, fitness, and wellness. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies, like WellCare, that contract with Medicare to provide these benefits²

WellCare offers Medicare Advantage plans in 36 states, with plans varying by region. These plans may include Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), and Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS) plans³

Some of the benefits of WellCare’s Medicare Advantage plans are:

• Low or no monthly premiums, deductibles, and copays
• Comprehensive coverage for hospital, medical, and prescription drug services
• Extra benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, over-the-counter items, transportation, and telehealth
• Access to a large network of providers and pharmacies
• Care coordination and disease management programs
• 24/7 customer service and nurse advice line

Some of the drawbacks of WellCare’s Medicare Advantage plans are:

• You may have to use in-network providers and pharmacies, or pay higher costs for out-of-network services
• You may need a referral from your primary care provider to see a specialist
• You may have to follow certain rules and procedures, such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits, for some services and drugs
• You may have to pay a penalty if you enroll late or drop your plan
• You may have to pay more if you use services that are not covered by your plan

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is a prescription drug coverage program that helps you pay for the drugs you need. Medicare Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies, like WellCare, that contract with Medicare to provide these benefits⁴

WellCare offers Medicare Part D plans in all 50 states, with plans varying by region. These plans may include standalone Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans⁵

Some of the benefits of WellCare’s Medicare Part D plans are:

• Low or no monthly premiums, deductibles, and copays
• Coverage for a wide range of generic and brand-name drugs
• Access to a large network of pharmacies, including mail-order and specialty pharmacies
• Extra savings through preferred pharmacies and drug tiers
• Medication therapy management and adherence programs
• 24/7 customer service and pharmacist support

Some of the drawbacks of WellCare’s Medicare Part D plans are:

• You may have to use in-network pharmacies, or pay higher costs for out-of-network pharmacies
• You may have to follow certain rules and procedures, such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits, for some drugs
• You may have to pay a penalty if you enroll late or drop your plan
• You may have to pay more if you use drugs that are not covered by your plan or are in a higher tier
• You may have to pay the coverage gap, or donut hole, if you spend a certain amount on drugs in a year

Medicare Supplement

Medicare Supplement, also known as Medigap, is a type of insurance that helps you pay for some of the costs that Original Medicare does not cover, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Medicare Supplement plans are offered by private insurance companies, like WellCare, that are licensed by the state to sell these plans.

WellCare does not directly offer Medicare Supplement plans, but its parent company, Centene, sells Medigap plans through its subsidiary, Health Net, in some states. These plans may include Plan A, Plan F, Plan G, Plan K, Plan L, Plan M, and Plan N.

Some of the benefits of Medicare Supplement plans are:

• Standardized benefits across different plans and companies
• Guaranteed issue and renewal, regardless of your health status or claims history
• Coverage for out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare does not cover
• Flexibility to choose any provider that accepts Medicare
• Portability to use your plan in any state

Some of the drawbacks of Medicare Supplement plans are:

• You have to pay a monthly premium, which may vary by plan, company, age, gender, and location
• You have to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage
• You have to enroll in a separate dental, vision, hearing, or wellness plan for additional benefits
• You have to enroll during your open enrollment period or a special enrollment period, or you may be subject to medical underwriting and higher premiums
• You have to pay more if you use services that are not covered by your plan

How to choose a WellCare Medicare plan?

Choosing a WellCare Medicare plan depends on your personal needs, preferences, and budget. Here are some factors to consider when comparing different plans:

• Coverage: What benefits and services are covered by the plan? How comprehensive is the coverage? Are there any exclusions or limitations?
• Cost: How much will you pay for the plan? What are the premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance? How much will you pay for out-of-network or out-of-pocket services?
• Network: Which providers and pharmacies are in the plan’s network? How convenient and accessible are they? Can you use out-of-network providers and pharmacies, and at what cost?
• Quality: How well does the plan perform in terms of customer satisfaction, quality of care, and health outcomes? What are the ratings and reviews of the plan from other members and experts?
• Extras: What additional benefits and services does the plan offer, such as dental, vision, hearing, fitness, wellness, and care coordination? How valuable and useful are they to you?

To compare different WellCare Medicare plans, you can use the following resources:

• WellCare’s website: You can visit WellCare’s website to find and compare plans available in your area, check your eligibility, enroll online, and access other tools and information.
• Medicare’s website: You can visit [Medicare’s website] to find and compare plans offered by WellCare and other companies, check your eligibility, enroll online, and access other tools and information.
• Medicare’s helpline: You can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to speak to a representative who can help you find and compare plans, check your eligibility, enroll over the phone, and answer your questions.
• WellCare’s helpline: You can call 1-844-599-0139 (TTY 711) to speak to a WellCare representative who can help you find and compare plans, check your eligibility, enroll over the phone, and answer your questions.
• SHIP: You can contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get free, unbiased, and personalized counseling and assistance with finding and comparing plans, checking your eligibility, enrolling, and resolving any issues. You can find your local SHIP by visiting [SHIP’s website] or calling 1-877-839-2675.
• Broker or agent: You can work with a licensed and certified broker or agent who can help you find and compare plans, check your eligibility, enroll, and answer your questions. You can find a broker or agent by asking for referrals from friends, family, or other sources, or by visiting [Medicare’s website] and using the Find a Plan tool.

Conclusion

WellCare is a health insurance company that offers a variety of Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Supplement plans. These plans have different features, benefits, and costs, depending on your location, health needs, and preferences. To choose the best WellCare Medicare plan for you, you should compare different plans based on their coverage, cost, network, quality, and extras, and use the available resources to help you make an informed decision.