WellCare Offers Comprehensive Dental Benefits to Its Adult Medicaid Members in Georgia

ATLANTA and TAMPA, Fla., March 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare of Georgia, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), wants to remind its adult Medicaid members of the important link between oral health and physical health, and of the need to get regular dental check-ups and cleanings.

WellCare of Georgia offers comprehensive dental benefits to its adult members who participate in Georgia Families^® including oral exams and teeth cleanings every six months, annual bitewing, X-rays and tooth removal as needed. These services are available at no cost to WellCare of Georgia's adult Medicaid members and do not require copays or referrals. Dental hygiene supplies such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss and denture adhesive are available at no cost to these members.

"Evidence suggests that infections in the mouth such as gum disease have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, which need to be addressed as part of a person's overall health care," said Dr. John Alexander Johnson, senior medical director, WellCare of Georgia. "There is also evidence suggesting that oral infections put expectant mothers at greater risk for pregnancy complications as well as put their children at risk for future dental disease."

Under Dr. Johnson's direction, WellCare is promoting preventive and maintenance dental care, with the goal of increasing the number of adult members who access available care. This will include assisting WellCare members in finding dental homes and coordinating with members' primary care physicians to better address their oral health as part of their total care.

For more information about WellCare of Georgia's dental benefits, please visit www.wellcare.com/Georgia or call 1-866-231-1821 (TTY 1-877-247-6272) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. 

As of Dec. 31, 2016, WellCare serves approximately 571,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® plan members, 40,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 23,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Georgia. To learn more about how WellCare cares for Georgians, watch Gloria's story at http://youtu.be/qyn-nywze04.

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 3.9 million members nationwide as of Dec. 31, 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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