WellCare Completes Acquisition of Care1st Health Plan Arizona

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Care1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc. and One Care by Care1st Health Plan of Arizona, Inc. (together, "Care1st Arizona"), formerly subsidiaries of Care1st Health Plan, a Blue Shield of California affiliate. With approximately 115,000 Medicaid and Medicare members in Maricopa and Pima counties, each of the Care1st Arizona entities are now wholly owned subsidiaries of WellCare.

Additionally, Scott Cummings was named WellCare's state president of Arizona upon closing of the transaction. In this role, Cummings continues to lead the health plan and has responsibility for WellCare's Medicaid and Medicare Advantage businesses across the state, including strategy, regulatory compliance, network management, sales and marketing, medical management, finance and administration. Cummings will report to Kelly Munson, executive vice president of WellCare's Medicaid business.

"We are pleased to announce the completion of this acquisition and welcome Care1st Arizona to our family of health plans," said Ken Burdick, WellCare's chief executive officer. "This acquisition marks our entrance into our eleventh Medicaid state, further geographically diversifying our business in an attractive market."

"Scott has deep experience leading successful health plan operations in Arizona," said Munson. "I expect his leadership to contribute significantly to our efforts to work in partnership with providers and the state to deliver quality health care and service for Arizonans."

"I spent nearly 10 years leading the Care1st Arizona business and am excited to join WellCare, which shares our strong commitment to delivering high-quality care for Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries," said Cummings. "We will continue to support our members' health care needs through our integrated, community-oriented approach."

Cummings was the chief administrative officer for Care1st Arizona. Prior to joining Care1st Arizona, he served in other executive roles, including chief operating officer at Phoenix Health Plan/Abrazo Advantage Health Plan and administrative director for Cigna Community Choice.

Cummings has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Kent State University in Ohio. He serves on the Arizona Health e-Connection Board and Network Leadership Council, is a board officer of the Arizona Association of Health Plans, and a board member of the Pima Community Access Program.

For more information, Care1st Arizona (Medicaid) members and providers can visit www.care1st.com/az or call toll-free 866-560-4042, and One Care (Medicare) members and providers can visit www.care1st.com/az/medicare or call toll-free 877-778-1855.

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. The company serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 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.

SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

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