WellCare Now Offers $0 Co-Pays for Primary Care Visits for South Carolina Medicaid Members

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), a leading provider of managed care services for government-sponsored health care programs, is eliminating co-pays for primary care physician visits and other medical care services for its South Carolina Medicaid members. This benefit became effective Nov. 1, 2015.

WellCare is committed to reducing barriers that can prevent many low-income South Carolinians from seeking medical treatment, particularly primary and preventive care services that allow medical problems to be discovered and treated earlier.

Primary care is crucial to achieving and maintaining health, and has been shown to reduce health disparities often found in low-income populations. Studies have shown that people who have relationships with their primary care physicians receive better access to needed services, are more likely to get preventive screenings, and receive early management for health problems.

"We have an opportunity to expand the positive impact we are having on member health by increasing access to preventive care," said Kathy Warner, WellCare's state president for South Carolina. "Many factors impact the choice between preventive and urgent care, and we know that people who have a primary care physician tend to visit the ER less frequently and experience fewer hospital stays."

In addition to $0 co-pays for primary care physician visits, WellCare Medicaid members in South Carolina now have $0 co-pays for treatment at ambulatory surgery centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers and rural health clinics; with chiropractors, optometrists and podiatrists; and for home health and durable medical equipment.