Tag: Centene Corporation
Wellcare launches preferred program
May 15, 2023HME News Staff
TAMPA, Fla. – Wellcare, the Medicare brand of Centene Corp., has announced the launch of a preferred Medicare sales and distribution partnership program that it says will strengthen sales, enhance customer experience and improve quality. "As Medicare Advantage and Part D marketing regulations continue to evolve, Wellcare is taking a two-pronged approach to our sales and distribution efforts," said Rich Fisher, Wellcare's Medicare CEO. "In addition to leveraging proprietary channels, we...
Providers push back against cuts by MCOs
March 12, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
COLUMBIA, S.C. – HME providers are fighting large managed care organizations that are increasingly pushing into more states and offering reduced reimbursement rates, say industry stakeholders.
The straw that’s breaking the camel’s back: The COVID-19 pandemic pushing the cost of doing business even higher, says Craig Douglas, vice president of payer and member relations for VGM.
“Acquisition...
State short takes: Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, Washington
June 4, 2020HME News Staff
AAHomecare and the Florida Alliance of Home Care Services have met with the Agency for Health Care Administration to discuss concerns with a recent request for proposal issued by Centene to manage the HME and home health network for all Centene and Wellcare plans in the state. Concerns with the RFP, which is estimated to impact 43% of patients, include a lack of oversight of third-party administrators and subcontractors…AAHomecare seeks a delay in Medicaid rate reductions in Arkansas until the...
Payers tighten their control
February 14, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ST. LOUIS - As big payers get ever bigger, HME providers and stakeholders fear the impact these monopolies could have on the market.Centene Corp. in January finalized its acquisition of WellCare Health Plans, creating what it calls the leading healthcare enterprise focused on government-sponsored health care programs. It now provides health care to more than 24 million members across 50 states.“The bigger the payers get, the more control of the market they have,” said Craig Douglas, vice...
In brief: Centene, WellCare merger finalized; Aeroflow partners with network
January 24, 2020HME News Staff
ST. LOUIS - Centene Corp. has completed its acquisition of WellCare Health Plans, creating what it calls the leading healthcare enterprise focused on government-sponsored healthcare programs.
Centene now provides health care to more than 24 million members across 50 states, or one in 15 people across the nation.
"We are pleased to have completed this transformational acquisition to create a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives through access to high-quality...
Centene, WellCare merger finalized
January 24, 2020HME News Staff
ST. LOUIS - Centene Corp. has completed its acquisition of WellCare Health Plans, creating what it calls the leading healthcare enterprise focused on government-sponsored healthcare programs.
Centene now provides health care to more than 24 million members across 50 states, or one in 15 people across the nation.
"We are pleased to have completed this transformational acquisition to create a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives through access to high-quality...
MS Supply takes on WellCare
May 3, 2019Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
TAMPA, Fla. - MS Supply and Home Health Company, a mom-and-pop provider, has filed a lawsuit against WellCare, claiming the managed care organization owes it more than $1 million.MS Supply contracted with WellCare to provide DME, complex rehab and home health services to Medicare Advantage patients throughout the state of Florida in 2015, and has received approximately 15 home health referrals and 25 to 30 DME referrals from them a day. Problems didn't start until 2016, says Farie Sanchez, COO.“We...
MCO readies for drastic cuts in Illinois
December 1, 2017Liz Beaulieu, Editor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - IlliniCare Health Plan may be only one Medicaid managed care organization with plans to drastically cut payments for DME in only one state, but when its parent company is Centene Corp., which has MCOs in 28 states, HME providers everywhere take notice.
IlliniCare plans to cut reimbursement for DME up to 50% on Jan. 1, a move delayed from Oct. 1.
“I would say the severity of these cuts is unprecedented in my experience,” said Kam Yuricich, who runs the Great Lakes...