Wellcare Enhances Offering of Affordable, Quality Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans in 2026

"As part of the Centene family of plans, Buckeye provides the quality and benefits of a national plan with the local care delivery and support so important to our members," said Buckeye Health Plan CEO Justin Loudon.

The company's multi-year journey to maximize Centene's unique market position focuses on creating a seamless integrated experience for D-SNP members, caregivers and their providers. Medicare provides coverage primarily based on a member being 65 and older or eligible through disability, while Medicaid typically offers coverage to individuals and families who meet specific income and financial eligibility requirements. Members eligible for both programs are referred to as Dual Eligibles or Duals.

"We are deeply committed to offering a diverse range of plans that support our members' health and well-being," said Wellcare Chief Executive Officer, Michael Carson. "We're especially excited about the continued growth and integration of our Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, in collaboration with our federal and state partners, which help us better serve individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Supporting the health of our aging population isn't just a priority – it's a responsibility. These offerings reflect our dedication to delivering quality care, improving health outcomes and creating a seamless experience for some of the most vulnerable populations in our communities."

As part of their evolving support and product offerings for D-SNP members, Wellcare will launch the first phase of its enhanced integrated Duals model across eight states – Ohio, Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, South Carolina and Texas – as part of the broader transition of MMPs to integrated D-SNPs effective Jan 1, 2026.

This shift aligns with the conclusion of the Medicare-Medicaid Financial Alignment Initiative (FAI), which phases out MMPs nationwide. Wellcare currently offers MMPs in five of the eight launch states (Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas) and will seamlessly transition members in those markets to new integrated D-SNPs that administer both Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The company already offers integrated D-SNP products in California, Florida, Hawaii and New Jersey, and plans to expand this model to additional markets in the coming years, based on state-specific guidelines.

This transition is designed to enhance the coordination of care and streamline services for both Medicare and Medicaid eligibles, while delivering improved outcomes. Existing Centene members will be automatically enrolled in their new integrated D-SNP and should review their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) for important updates regarding their coverage and benefits.

The company also continues to invest in member experience with digital tools and resources for members and prospective members. This includes:

• Delivering a modernized, supportive and engaging onboarding experience to new and renewing members.
• Providing member onboarding videos in eight languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Tagalog, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Taiwan, Chinese Hong Kong and Korean.
• Proactively engaging and communicating with members on understanding their benefits and access to services and providers.
• Leveraging data, analytics and technology to measure our operational performance and adjust to meet members' needs and improve overall experience.
• Conducting frequent member surveys to better understand what matters most to them and where we can improve to make their experience better.

For more details about Wellcare's MA plans visit WellcareNow.com and Medicare PDPs, visit pdpwellcare.com.

Wellcare's 2026 Plan Offerings

For 2026, Wellcare will offer plans to more than 51 million beneficiaries, which accounts for more than 75% of the eligible beneficiaries in 32 states and more than 1,850 counties. Wellcare has added 51 counties to its footprint across the following states: California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, Texas and North Carolina.

MAPD Highlights:

In 2026, a variety of plan offerings for value-conscious beneficiaries are available with predictable copays and extra benefits:

• The Wellcare Spendables® card continues to offer eligible members a single card with preloaded funds available at more than 66,000 nationwide retailers across Wellcare's 32-state footprint. Eligible members may use their Wellcare Spendables® card on multiple benefits. Depending on the plan, benefits may include an allowance for over-the-counter health items and covered out-of-pocket dental, vision and hearing costs. Members who are eligible may use the allowance for other benefits to support their overall well-being. Additionally, an integrated experience combines the Wellcare Spendables® card and Wellcare Rewards™ programs into one platform.
• Members earn rewards for health actions, including annual preventive visits, using the member portal, flu shots and health screenings.
• With the phase out of the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) program, extra benefits like assistance with groceries, gas, rent and utilities will only be available to members who meet specific health conditions under a different program, but we've made the process easier for members to check if they are eligible. Members who aren't eligible for additional benefits will be limited to certain types of care, like over-the-counter items or out-of-pocket medical costs.
• $0 or low copay for primary care physician visits on all plans.
• Dario's digital mental health and social support resources (formerly Twill Therapeutics) provide online behavioral health support and is available 24/7 across all Medicare Advantage plans. Services include peer-to-peer support, self-guided behavioral health programs and access to Centene health plan resources.
• Monthly cost for insulin under Medicare plans will be capped at either $35 or 25% of the drug's negotiated or maximum fair price, whichever is lower.
• $0 cost-sharing for Part D vaccinations recommended for adults by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
• The Part D benefit will continue to consist of three phases with members' out-of-pocket costs capped at no more than $2,100 for the plan year.
• Preferred retail pharmacy networks will include Walgreens*, CVS* and select grocers*. A robust network is expected with more than 60,000 total pharmacies.
• Express Scripts® Pharmacy home delivery will continue to be the preferred mail order (Home Delivery) pharmacy focusing on providing convenient and efficient service for prescriptions that are filled for more than 35 days.
• Benefits also include $0 for: routine physical exams to support annual preventive visits; kidney evaluation and A1c labs; preventive and diagnostic mammograms; preventive and diagnostic colonoscopies; routine/medical eye exams for diabetics; and Tier 6 adherence meds at preferred pharmacies.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) Highlights:

Wellcare's Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) will continue to be available nationwide with competitive benefits:  

• Two products (Classic and Value Script) will be offered in all 34 regions across all 50 states and the District of Columbia; 68 PDPs nationwide.
• We continue to offer products to meet the unique needs of Medicare beneficiaries including:
  • Dual eligibles
  • Low premium "value" shoppers
• A competitive formulary design will be offered across both plans.
• The Value Script plan will continue to offer members a cost-effective option, with one of the lowest premiums in the nation.
• The Classic plan will be under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) benchmark in all regions making this plan a great option for members receiving a Low-Income Subsidy (LIS).  
• Both plans feature a $0 copay on Tier 1 (Preferred Generic) prescriptions when filled at a preferred pharmacy.

About Wellcare
Wellcare offers a range of Medicare products, including Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP), which offer affordable coverage beyond Original Medicare. Wellcare is the Medicare brand of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Centene's Medicare brands, including Allwell, Health Net, Fidelis Care, Trillium Advantage, 'Ohana Health Plan and TexanPlus transitioned to the Wellcare brand. For more information about Wellcare, visit www.wellcare.com. 

Benefits and allowance amounts vary by plan. Please call for more details. Allowance amounts cannot be combined with other benefit allowances which may be on the prepaid card. Limitations and restrictions may apply.

Wellcare is the Medicare brand for Centene Corporation, an HMO, PPO, PFFS, PDP plan with a Medicare contract and is an approved Part D Sponsor. Our D-SNP plans have a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Benefits mentioned are a part of Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill. Not all members will qualify. In addition to being high-risk, you must have one or more of the following chronic conditions: cancer, cardiovascular disorders, chronic and disabling mental health conditions, chronic lung disorders, diabetes. There are other eligible conditions not listed. Eligibility for this benefit cannot be guaranteed based solely on your condition. All applicable eligibility requirements must be met before the benefit is provided. For details, please contact us or see the plan's Evidence of Coverage/Member Handbook. For Wellcare Dual Liberty (HMO-POS D-SNP): Wellcare's pharmacy network includes limited lower-cost, preferred pharmacies in rural areas of Ohio. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, please call 1-833-998-4953 (TTY: 711) or consult the online pharmacy directory at go.wellcare.com/OH.

*Other Pharmacies/Physicians/Providers are available in our network.

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SOURCE Wellcare