LOUISVILLE, Ky. and TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare of Kentucky, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE:WCG), is enhancing its Medicaid benefits in the state by offering its members an adult vision benefit, cell phone program and more healthy rewards activities, at no cost to the member, or the member's parents or guardians. These benefits are effective Jan. 1, 2017.

WellCare added free adult eyeglasses to the vision benefit. Now the entire family can receive a free vision exam and glasses. The children's program already provides a pair of free glasses annually. The new adult vision program will provide its members ages 21 and older with an annual vision exam and a free pair of glasses every 24 months.

Members with a high-risk pregnancy or who are combating chronic conditions may be eligible to receive a free smartphone to stay in touch with their WellCare care manager, provider and family members.

The Healthy Rewards program is available to all WellCare of Kentucky Medicaid members. Members are rewarded when they complete specific preventive health and wellness milestones. The achievement of a healthy behavior will earn the member a debit card with an amount between $10 and $50, depending upon the type of healthy behavior completed. For example, members are eligible to receive a $20 debit card for completing an annual preventive visit, and new moms are eligible to receive free diapers and a $20 debit card for completing a postpartum care visit.

"We are committed to continually improving the care and services we provide to our members to help them stay healthy," said Dr. Howard Shaps, medical director for WellCare of Kentucky. "People who have relationships with their primary care physicians receive better access to needed services, are more likely to obtain preventive screenings, and receive early management for health problems."

WellCare of Kentucky Medicaid members will continue to have access to its other value-added benefits including:

• A $120 credit toward over-the-counter (OTC) supplies;
• One free annual sports physical for Medicaid members between the ages of 6 and 18;
• Free General Educational Development (GED) testing for eligible members;
• Free meals program for members who are enrolled in care management and have been recently discharged from an inpatient hospital, a rehabilitation facility or a skilled nursing facility; and,
• A free baby shower event where members who are pregnant or who have given birth within the past year receive a gift and tips to keep them and their babies healthy.

For more information about the adult vision benefit, cell phone program, Healthy Rewards program and other WellCare Medicaid benefits in Kentucky, please visit www.wellcare.com/Kentucky or call 1-877-389-9457 (TTY/TDD 1-877-247-6272) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. 

As of June 30, 2016, WellCare serves approximately 445,000 Medicaid members, 8,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 20,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Kentucky. To learn more about how we care for Kentuckians, watch Brandi's story at http://youtu.be/YwOw5EgeSYo.

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. WellCare serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of June 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.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.