WellCare Supports Healthy Moms and Babies With Georgia Prenatal Program
Tampa, FL (PRWEB) October 23, 2013 -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) has introduced a prenatal outreach program for its pregnant Georgia Medicaid members to help improve health outcomes for mothers and babies.
“Women who have medical, educational and social supports are more likely to have healthy pregnancies and deliveries,” said Dr. Sandra White, vice president and senior medical director, WellCare of Georgia. “Focusing our support on expectant mothers from the start of their pregnancies can reduce the number of low birth weight babies and those with other preventable health conditions.”
WellCare works with participating providers to identify members for the program. WellCare’s outreach starts with telephone calls to newly enrolled members to confirm that they have selected and are seeing an OB/GYN. Follow-ups are made to ensure appointments are maintained throughout the pregnancy.
Expectant mothers are invited to attend WellCare’s prenatal education events, held monthly in communities throughout the state, to learn more about prenatal health and wellness. Community partners including pediatricians, lactation consultants and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nurses are available to answer questions and provide information on preventive services, screenings and nutrition.
Expectant and post-partum mothers are encouraged to participate in fitness activities, as approved by their OB/GYN, including WellCare-organized mall walks. In addition to post-partum care by a physician, WellCare schedules telephone calls with members to gauge their well-being and to identify any health or social issues that need follow-up care.
Members enrolled in the program who complete at least six prenatal visits and one postpartum visit, between three to seven weeks after delivery, will receive a free stroller. The member must have her OB/GYN complete the Prenatal Reward Form after each visit.
As of June 30, 2013, WellCare serves approximately 574,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® plan members, 25,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 34,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Georgia.
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.
Denise Malecki - Media Relations, WellCare Health Plans, Inc., https://www.wellcare.com/, +1 813-206-2747, [email protected]
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