Harmony Health Plan Hosts Chicago Open House
Tampa, FL (PRWEB) September 12, 2013 -- Harmony Health Plan, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc., (NYSE: WCG), hosted an Open House on Sept. 10, at its new Chicago office, to highlight its dedication to members and communities in Illinois. Harmony focuses on serving Illinois’ Medicaid and Medicare populations, including low-income children and families. The Open House is part of Harmony’s efforts to build strong community connections and improve access to high-quality health care across the state.
“Harmony is singularly focused on serving our members day in and day out,” said Dave Reynolds, WellCare’s Region President for Conn., Ill., Mo., N.J., N.Y. and Ohio. “One way we do this is by collaborating with organizations and leaders in the communities in which our members live to help us better connect them to the care and social services they need for improved health outcomes.”
At the event, Harmony presented state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) with the CommUnity Hero Award in recognition of her efforts to improve the lives of people in the communities she serves. Feigenholtz has made health care legislation a priority, helping to expand access to preventive care such as mammograms, improve access to contraceptives, provide increased funding for AIDS drug assistance programs and promote HIV prevention. In addition, she played a key role in the expansion of comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage for children and families across the state.
“It is a great honor to receive this award from Harmony,” said Feigenholtz. “I look forward to working together as we continue to improve access to health care and health outcomes for the people of our state who need our help most.”
Harmony also announced that in support of Illinois seniors, it is giving 10 nonprofit organizations sponsorships to offset gaps in funding. Ranging from $500 to $3,000, the funds will support senior services including food pantries, meal delivery to the homebound, medication management, exercise classes, nutrition counseling and social activities such as art projects.
The sponsorships are focused on community-based organizations in Champaign, Cook, Douglas, Kane, Kankakee, Knox, Madison, Monroe, Peoria, St. Clair, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington and Will counties, and will enable health and wellness programs for seniors to continue without interruption. Organizations receiving donations include Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet; the Chicago chapter of Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly; North Shore Senior Center; and Senior Services Associates.
“This sponsorship allows us to continue helping seniors manage their medications by providing compartmentalized pillboxes with the goal of avoiding missed doses, accidental overdoses and adverse reactions that could lead to hospitalization,” said Debbi Baldauff, Division Director of Aging and Disability Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet. “It also helps our educational outreach on senior self-care and disease management to family members and caregivers. Without it, these services would have been significantly reduced.”
Finally, the company unveiled the Harmony Art Project. It was developed to help create a work environment that is reflective of the communities Harmony serves and the role it plays in supporting them. It aims to help empower those who need help most, and to support the development of their creative talents.
Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations in Illinois, Harmony identified 30 artists with physical and mental health challenges – including a hospitalized child, a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and an individual with mental illness – to purchase their artwork.
Participating nonprofits include The Arts of Life, the Awakenings Project, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago - Visions of My Life, the Center for the Arts at Little City Foundation, Graffiti Zone, Little Black Pearl, Marwen, Project Onward, Snow City Arts, South Chicago Art Center, Swann Art Program and Thresholds.
About Harmony Health Plan
Harmony Health Plan, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc., provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. The company works with doctors, hospitals, governments and communities to provide quality, cost-effective health care solutions. As of June 30, 2013, Harmony serves more than 179,000 members in 18 counties in Illinois.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind, and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company serves approximately 2.8 million members nationwide as of June 30, 2013. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at http://www.wellcare.com.
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Daphne Lawrence, WellCare Health Plans, Inc., http://www.wellcare.com, +1 (917) 229-2103, [email protected]
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