WellCare Expands Dental and Vision Benefits for Adult Medicaid Members in Georgia

WellCare has expanded its dental and vision benefits to include preventive care for all adult Medicaid members in Georgia.

Tampa, Fla. (PRWEB) March 20, 2014

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. WCG has expanded its dental and vision benefits to include preventive care for all adult Medicaid members in Georgia. Effective March 1, these expanded benefits are available to members who are 21 and older. Emergency dental services and procedures to evaluate and diagnose eye disease continue to be covered benefits for adults.

The expanded dental benefit includes 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 co-pays or referrals. Dental hygiene supplies such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, denture adhesive and children's medication to relieve teething pain are also available at no cost to these members.

The expanded vision benefit includes a free annual eye exam and a $40 credit towards eyeglasses, with additional frame options beyond what is covered by traditional Medicaid. Eye care supplies, including over-the-counter reading glasses, eyewashes and eye drops are also available at no cost to these members.

“We are committed to continually improving the care and service that we provide to our members to assist them in staying healthy, which can have a positive impact on quality of life and long-term health care costs,” said Roman Kulich, WellCare's region president, Georgia and South Carolina. “One of the ways we are addressing this in Georgia is by increasing access to preventive care.”

WellCare of Georgia Medicaid members under age 21 will continue to receive preventive vision and dental benefits.

For more information about these and other WellCare of Georgia Medicaid benefits, please visit https://georgia.wellcare.com/member or call 1-866-231-1821 (TTY/TDD 1-877-247-6272) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As of January 2014, WellCare of Georgia serves approximately 531,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® plan members, 28,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 50,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., 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 3.3 million members nationwide as of January 2014. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at http://www.wellcare.com.

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