'Ohana Health Plan to Offer Free GED Testing for its Medicaid Members to Help Improve Health and Well-being

KAPOLEI, Hawaii, and TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Ohana Health Plan, a WellCare WCG company, is proud to announce it will offer free General Educational Development (GED) testing for eligible Medicaid members, beginning Jan. 1, 2016.

Recognizing that there are many social determinants that factor into the health of an individual, family and community, 'Ohana is committed to removing the financial barrier that prevents many low-income individuals from pursuing their GED certificate.

"There is a significant relationship between education and health," said Wendy Morriarty, president of 'Ohana Health Plan. "A GED is a tool that can lead to increased opportunities for our members to attend college, seek higher paying jobs and find stable housing. This benefit has the ability to improve the health and well-being of local families and communities."

To be eligible for the free GED testing benefit, 'Ohana Health Plan members must be at least 18 years old and not enrolled in an accredited high school. For more information, including how to sign up and participate in pre-GED courses or to complete GED practice tests, please call 1-888-846-4262 (TTY 1-877-247-6272) or visit us at www.ohanahealthplan.com.

'Ohana Health Plan has over 200 employees in Hawaii and serves approximately 58,000 members through its offices in Kapolei, Honolulu, Hilo, and Kahului.

About 'Ohana Health Plan

'Ohana Health Plan is offered by WellCare Health Plans, Inc. WellCare provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of June 30, 2015. 'Ohana has been able to take WellCare's national experience and develop an 'Ohana care model that addresses local members' health care and health coordination needs. As of June 30, 2015, 'Ohana serves approximately 47,000 Medicaid members, 11,000 Medicare Advantage members, and 600 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Hawaii. For more information about 'Ohana, please visit the company's website at www.ohanahealthplan.com.

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SOURCE 'Ohana Health Plan; WellCare Health Plans, Inc.