WELLCARE, THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AND SHANDS JACKSONVILLE EXPAND PROVIDER ACCESS FOR MEDICARE MEMBERS
Tampa, Florida (October 10, 2011) – WellCare Health Plans Inc. (NYSE: WCG) today announced that the University of Florida physicians and Shands Jacksonville, a private, not-for-profit hospital, have joined WellCare’s network of Medicare health services providers. WellCare Medicare Advantage plan members in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas now have access to more than 450 qualified University of Florida physicians and other health care providers as part of their in-network options.
“We are committed to offering Medicare beneficiaries access to quality health care choices,” said Christina Cooper, president of WellCare's Florida and Hawaii Division. “Our relationship with the University of Florida physicians and Shands Jacksonville will ensure more options for our Medicare members in the Jacksonville area.”
University of Florida physicians and Shands Jacksonville facilities and services that have been added to WellCare’s provider network include an acute care facility, adult and pediatric Level I trauma center, 23 family and internal medicine primary care practices and nearly 100 specialty services.
“Our top priority is to ensure that our patients and the community have access to the highest quality medical care available,” said Dr. Robert Nuss, dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine–Jacksonville. “By working with WellCare, we can provide support for the growing Medicare population in our area.”
WellCare Media Contact: Amy Knapp
E-mail: amy.knapp@wellcare.com
Phone: 813-290-6208
WellCare Investor Relations: Gregg Haddad
Phone: 813-865-1284
UF and Shands Jacksonville Media Relations: Dan Leveton
Phone: 904-244-3268
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company served approximately 2.4 million members nationwide as of June 30, 2011. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company’s web site at www.wellcare.com.
About University of Florida and Shands Jacksonville
Shands Jacksonville is a private, not-for-profit hospital affiliated with the University of Florida Academic Health Center in Jacksonville. Combining strengths with the UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville allows Shands Jacksonville to offer residents in northeast Florida all the benefits of an academic health center including advanced medical treatment and the latest in research. Visit http://jax.shands.org/ for more information.
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