Meridian Recognizes "Top Docs" in Michigan

DETROIT and TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MeridianHealth (Meridian), a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. company WCG, announced today 11 Michigan primary care providers (PCPs) have been recognized as "Top Docs" for their commitment to providing the highest quality of care to Meridian members in Michigan.

Using a selection process based on Meridian's 2017 Quality Incentive Programs, PCPs were identified for delivering outstanding primary care to Meridian members. The PCPs selected for this honor consistently surpass preventive care expectations.

Meridian's 2017 "Top Docs" include:

• Besma Nikhail, M.D. - Town Pediatric Clinic
• Jennifer King, M.D. - Shoreline Pediatrics, PLC
• Regina Ramirez, M.D. - Shoreline Pediatrics, PLC
• Parvathi Sivaramakrishnan, M.D. - Devyani Khambete, M.D., PC
• Hikmat Gogue, M.D. - Dr. Hikmat Gogue M.D., PC
• Dawn Rosser, M.D. - Bright Start Pediatrics PLLC
• Amy Beck, M.D. - Bright Start Pediatrics PLLC
• Basel Khatib, M.D. - Basel Khatib, M.D., PC
• Jennifer Hubbard, M.D. - Shoreline Pediatrics, PLC
• Silvia Operti-Considine, M.D. - Kidz 1st Pediatrics
• Paul Alban, M.D. - Port City Pediatrics

The Meridian Quality Incentive Programs paid more than $12 million in quality bonuses to its contracted PCPs in the 2016-2017 eligible incentive year. Meridian's Quality Incentive Programs include the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) Incentive Program and Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Incentive Program. These incentives reward physicians for completing important preventive care measures and working towards state or national PCMH designations.

"Each year, we look forward to recognizing our provider partners for delivering outstanding quality and service to our members across the state," said Sean Kendall, president and COO, Meridian. "Providing access to quality healthcare is critical to our mission as a health plan to help our members live better, healthier lives."

Meridian is a group of health plans with offices in Michigan and Illinois. Meridian's affiliates include MeridianHealth (Medicaid), MeridianCare (Medicare), MeridianComplete (Medicare-Medicaid), MeridianChoice (Health Insurance Marketplace) and MeridianRx, a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). For more information, visit www.mhplan.com.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. WCG focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, as well as individuals in the Health Insurance Marketplace. WellCare serves approximately 5.5 million members nationwide as of September 1, 2018. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com.

Chelsea Davis
Meridian
313-324-3700 x 21292
chelsea.davis@mhplan.com