On January 23, 2020, Centene Corporation acquired WellCare Health Plans, Inc., which included WellCare of South Carolina, a managed care organization (MCO) contracted with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). As a result of this acquisition, WellCare will no longer participate in SCDHHS’s Healthy Connections Medicaid managed care program. Effective April 1, 2021, existing WellCare Medicaid members will be served by Absolute Total Care. Absolute Total Care is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation. WellCare will remain responsible for claims, appeals and hearings, and other administrative processes that occur before April 1, 2021. To satisfy its contractual requirements with SCDHHS, WellCare will keep administrative processes in place for at least 12 months after exiting the Healthy Connections Medicaid managed care program. Providers rendering services to WellCare members will continue to work directly with WellCare for all dates of service before April 1, 2021. Additional administrative information may be found on WellCare’s website.

All Healthy Connections members transferred to Absolute Total Care on April 1, 2021, will maintain a continuity of care period for up to 90 days during which time members will continue to receive all authorized services from their current providers. If providers have questions about how this acquisition may affect them, they should call WellCare Provider Services at (888) 588-9842 or Absolute Total Care Provider Services at (866) 433-6041.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.