WellCare Names Karen M. Johnson COO, California

TAMPA, Fla., June 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), a leading provider of managed care services for government-sponsored health care programs, announced today that it named Karen M. Johnson chief operating officer of its Easy Choice Health Plan, which is based in California, effective June 27, 2016. Easy Choice serves Medicare-eligibles in nine California counties. She will report to Kelly Munson, WellCare's senior vice president, division president, and Medicaid product.

Johnson will be responsible for the overall plan operations of Easy Choice, including its strategic direction and the effective development of new programs. She will direct provider contracting and relations, sales and marketing, medical management, and regulatory compliance.

"With more than 25 years of experience in the health care industry, Karen is an innovative leader with a proven track record of developing programs and leading teams that improve the health status of vulnerable populations," said Munson. "She has strategically created and implemented programs in a broad range of health care delivery systems that have improved patient care and satisfaction ratings."

"WellCare is dedicated to delivering quality care that results in our members living better, healthier lives," said Johnson. "I'm excited to have an opportunity to work with the Easy Choice team to ensure our members continue to receive the care and services they need, where and when they need it."

Most recently, Johnson was senior vice president of clinical services at Health Essentials. While in this role, she developed a clinical care model leveraging nurse practitioners and an innovative home-based supportive care program designed to support high-risk populations. Before that, she served as vice president of member engagement for the Community and State division of UnitedHealthcare, as well as the plan president of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan in Washington, D.C. Johnson also held leadership roles for Lake Health Hospital Systems in Concord, Ohio, and Meridia - Cleveland Clinical Health System in Cleveland.

Johnson received a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and a juris doctorate from Michigan State College of Law in Lansing.

As of March 31, 2016, WellCare and Easy Choice Health Plan serve approximately 32,000 Medicare Advantage members and 48,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in California.

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 3.7 million members nationwide as of March 31, 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.

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