Wellcare Unveils 2027 Medicare Offerings Focused on Affordability and Integrated Care

Centene (NYSE: CNC) announced its Wellcare Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan offerings for the 2027 coverage year.

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Rhea-AI Summary

Centene (NYSE: CNC) announced its Wellcare Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan offerings for the 2027 coverage year. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. The prescription drug portfolio includes Wellcare Classic and Wellcare Value Script, with coverage nationwide.

Dual-eligible members, who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, represent approximately 40% of Wellcare's Medicare Advantage membership. Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans account for nearly half of its 2027 Medicare Advantage offerings. The portfolio also includes new Brass and Amber dental options. Benefits and allowance amounts vary by plan.

News Explained

Wellcare has announced its 2027 Medicare offerings; use of the Spendables card for healthy foods and related care is conditional on meeting CMS criteria and enrolling in a plan offering the benefit, and eligibility is not guaranteed by diagnosis alone.

Key Figures

Dual-eligible share of MA membership: approximately 40% D-SNP share of 2027 MA offerings: nearly half PDP members: nearly 10 million +2 more

Dual-eligible share of MA membership: approximately 40%; Wellcare Medicare Advantage membership
D-SNP share of 2027 MA offerings: nearly half; Company's 2027 Medicare Advantage plan offerings
PDP members: nearly 10 million; Across all 50 states
Pharmacy network: more than 60,000 pharmacies; 2027 PDP highlights
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: Oct. 15-Dec. 7; Enrollment period for the announced 2027 offerings

Key Terms

medicare advantage, prescription drug plan, dual eligible special needs plan, special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill

4 terms

medicare advantage regulatory

"announced its 2027 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) offerings"

Medicare Advantage is a type of health insurance plan offered by private companies that covers services traditionally provided by government-run Medicare. Think of it as a bundled package that combines hospital, doctor, and other medical care into one plan, often with added benefits. For investors, it matters because the popularity and profitability of these plans can influence healthcare companies and the broader health insurance industry.

prescription drug plan regulatory

"announced its 2027 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) offerings"

A prescription drug plan is a health-insurance benefit that pays for or helps pay for prescription medicines and the pharmacy services that supply them. It can be a standalone plan or part of a broader medical insurance policy and is administered by an insurer or a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) that maintains a formulary (a list of covered drugs), sets cost-sharing rules (copayments, coinsurance, deductibles), and enforces utilization controls (prior authorization, step therapy, quantity limits). The plan typically covers only prescription medications obtained through participating pharmacies or mail-order services and generally does not cover over‑the‑counter products or investigational treatments unless specifically included.

dual eligible special needs plan regulatory

"Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) products accounting for nearly half"

A dual eligible special needs plan is a type of managed healthcare plan that serves people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, combining the benefits of both programs into one coordinated package. Investors care because these plans concentrate a predictable, often higher-need population and receive integrated payments and quality measures, affecting enrollment growth, revenue stability, cost control, and regulatory risk—think of it as a bundled service designed to simplify care for a specific customer group.

special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill regulatory

"criteria for Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI)"

A category of extra benefits that Medicare Advantage plans may offer only to enrollees who meet specific chronic-condition criteria; these benefits go beyond regular supplemental benefits and are intended to address needs related to one or more longstanding serious health conditions. Plans must identify eligible conditions and criteria in their plan documents, limit the offering to qualifying members, and provide benefits that are primarily health-related and reasonable in scope — examples include home-delivered meals, home modifications, personal care, or remote monitoring services tied to managing a chronic illness. These benefits are delivered under Medicare Advantage rules (not original Medicare), are funded through plan payments, and cannot be offered universally to all enrollees unless the enrollee meets the chronic-illness eligibility requirements.

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10/01/2026 - 07:00 AM

2027 Wellcare portfolio brings together affordable Medicare coverage and innovative supplemental benefits combined with the nation's largest standalone Medicare Part D platform
Provides coordinated Medicare-Medicaid solutions for dual-eligible members

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Wellcare, the Medicare brand of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), today announced its 2027 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) offerings ahead of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which begins Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7.

Wellcare's 2027 portfolio is designed to help members navigate healthcare with greater confidence by combining affordable prescription drug coverage, personalized support and benefits that address both medical and everyday needs. For members with more complex health needs, including those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, Wellcare offers coordinated solutions designed to simplify the healthcare experience. Wellcare continues to offer affordable prescription drug coverage nationwide through its industry-leading standalone Medicare Part D platform.

"Centene's 2027 Medicare offerings bring together deep Medicare and Medicaid expertise to create a more coordinated and seamless experience for members who rely on both programs, while continuing to provide the nation's leading standalone prescription drug plan," said Michael Carson, Group President, Medicare and Specialty at Centene. "By combining thoughtful benefit design, coordinated care capabilities and innovative programs that support overall health, we are helping members — often with complex health needs — obtain affordable access to the care, prescription medications and support services they need to achieve better health."

As states continue advancing Medicare-Medicaid alignment efforts, Wellcare's Medicare Dual offerings are designed to support a more integrated member experience while maintaining affordable coverage options. This focus is reflected across the portfolio, with dual-eligible members representing approximately 40% of Wellcare's Medicare Advantage membership and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) products accounting for nearly half of the company's 2027 MA plan offerings.

The company continues to take a data-informed approach to benefit design, evaluating how supplemental benefits can best support members' health needs and overall well-being. Members who meet the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) criteria for Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI), and enroll in plans offering them, may use the Wellcare Spendables® card to access approved healthy foods and other eligible health-related care designed to address individual health and social needs.

Results from the company's study, published earlier this year, demonstrate the meaningful role that access to healthy food and other supportive resources can play in improving outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Additionally, affordable prescription drug coverage remains a cornerstone of Wellcare's Medicare strategy, particularly for beneficiaries managing chronic conditions.

National Leadership in Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
As the nation's leading standalone Medicare Part D provider, Wellcare will continue offering reasonably priced prescription drug coverage nationwide in 2027.

2027 PDP highlights include:

Two PDP options (Wellcare Classic and Wellcare Value Script) designed to meet the needs of a broad range of Medicare beneficiaries.
Nearly 10 million members across all 50 states

Affordable prescription drug coverage, including a low-premium option through Wellcare Value Script.
Comprehensive formulary designs offered across both plans.
A robust pharmacy network with more than 60,000 pharmacies.*

2027 Medicare Advantage Highlights
Wellcare's 2027 Medicare Advantage portfolio is designed to deliver holistic, coordinated, affordable coverage and competitive benefits that support the member's overall health.

2027 Wellcare MA highlights include:

The Wellcare Spendables® card to provide members with a simplified way to access and manage covered benefits, including over-the-counter items and qualified dental, vision and hearing expenses.
New Brass and Amber dental options to help bridge coverage gaps between existing benefit packages, providing members with greater flexibility and access to additional oral health services.
Non-emergency transportation to medical appointments, pharmacies and other health-related destinations.
Access to fitness programs and wellness activities that encourage healthy lifestyles and preventive care.

For more details about Wellcare's MA plans, visit WellcareNow.com and Medicare PDPs, visit pdpwellcare.com.

Benefits and allowance amounts vary by plan. Please call for more details. Allowance amounts cannot be combined with other benefit allowances which may be on the prepaid card. Limitations and restrictions may apply.

Wellcare is the Medicare brand for Centene Corporation, an HMO, PPO, PDP plan with a Medicare contract and is an approved Part D Sponsor. Our D-SNP plans have a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. Wellcare is a DSNP with a Florida Medicaid Contract. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the DSNP. Limitations, copayments, and/or restrictions may apply. Benefits, preferred drug list, pharmacy network, premium and/or copayments/coinsurance may change. Washington residents: "Wellcare" is issued by Coordinated Care of Washington, Inc. Washington residents: Health Net Life Insurance Company is contracted with Medicare for PPO plans. "Wellcare" is issued by Health Net Life Insurance Company. "Wellcare" is issued by WellCare Prescription Insurance, Inc. Benefits mentioned are a part of Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill. Not all members will qualify. In addition to being high-risk, you must have one or more of the following chronic conditions: cancer, cardiovascular disorders, chronic and disabling mental health conditions, chronic lung disorders, diabetes. There are other eligible conditions not listed. Eligibility for this benefit cannot be guaranteed based solely on your condition. All applicable eligibility requirements must be met before the benefit is provided. For details, please contact us or see the plan's Evidence of Coverage/Member Handbook. Wellcare's pharmacy network includes limited lower-cost, preferred pharmacies in rural areas of Nebraska. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, please call 1-844-796-6811 (TTY: 711) for Wellcare Nebraska Total Care Dual Liberty Sync (HMO-POS D-SNP); or call 1-800-977-7522 (TTY: 711) for Wellcare Giveback (HMO-POS) and Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS); or consult the online pharmacy directory at go.wellcare.com/NE. For Wellcare With Superior HealthPlan: For Wellcare Superior HealthPlan Dual Liberty Sync (HMO D-SNP): Wellcare's pharmacy network includes limited lower-cost, preferred pharmacies in rural areas of Texas. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, please call 1-833-444-9089 (TTY: 711) or consult the online pharmacy directory at go.wellcare.com/Medicare. Wellcare's pharmacy network includes limited lower-cost, preferred pharmacies in rural areas of Texas. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, please call 1-800-977-7522 (TTY: 711) for Wellcare Simple (HMO) or call 1-855-445-3556 (TTY: 711) for Wellcare Superior HealthPlan Dual Liberty Sync (HMO D-SNP), or consult the online pharmacy directory at go.wellcare.com/TX. Arizona D-SNP plans: Contract services are funded in part under contract with the State of Arizona. Louisiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Louisiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid or https://www.louisianahealthconnect.com. To request a written copy of our Medicaid Provider Directory, please contact us. Wellcare By Allwell (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by Superior HealthPlan, Inc. Wellcare (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by WellCare of Texas, Inc., Superior HealthPlan, Inc., and SelectCare of Texas, Inc. *Other Pharmacies/Physicians/Providers are available in our network.