WellCare 2010 Private Fee For Service Announcement

WellCare has notified the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that it does not intend to renew its contracts to offer Medicare private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans in 2010. Our intention to withdraw from Medicare Advantage PFFS was a difficult decision, and we regret that in 2010 we will no longer be able to offer these plans.

WellCare Medicare Advantage plan members whose identification cards include the letters "PFFS" and WellCare identification numbers that start with the letter "F" will be affected by this action. WellCare does not offer Medicare Advantage PFFS plans in Connecticut, Florida and Texas, so WellCare Medicare Advantage members enrolled in these states will not be affected. Also, members enrolled in a WellCare HMO (coordinated care) plan or a prescription drug plan (PDP), or a WellCare Medicaid plan, will not be affected. As of March 31, 2009, about 110,000 of the approximately 2.5 million members served by WellCare were Medicare Advantage PFFS members.

Members currently enrolled in one of WellCare's PFFS plans will continue to have access to WellCare benefits until January 1, 2010. These members will have an opportunity to choose a new Medicare Advantage plan or return to original Medicare coverage during the regular annual election period from November 15 to December 31, 2009. Members do not need to make a change to their WellCare Medicare Advantage PFFS coverage until then. Written notification will be provided to WellCare Medicare Advantage PFFS members before the annual election period in accordance with CMS requirements, and CMS will send all Medicare beneficiaries a Medicare & You booklet that includes information about the various health care options available to Medicare beneficiaries in 2010.

For 2010, WellCare will remain focused on WellCare's core HMO and PDP business, and help members with a smooth transition to other WellCare plan coverage, coverage from another Medicare Advantage plan or coverage from original Medicare.