HONOLULU (February 2, 2009) - On February 1st, 'Ohana Health Plan began serving more than 20,000 Hawai`i residents who qualify for the state's QUEST Expanded Access (QExA) program.  The launch of services presents a new focus on health care for the state's low income seniors and people with disabilities.

We are very excited to bring the 'Ohana care model and its many health benefits to the people of Hawai'i," said Erhardt Preitauer, executive director of 'Ohana Health Plan.   "Our main mission now is to help our members successfully transition to our plan.   Over the next few months, we will visit with every member, acquaint each one with the plan, learn their individual needs and build a custom care plan just for them."

Ohana's provider network currently consists of over 1,200 primary care physicians and specialists who are ready to serve its members.  There are also numerous additional providers who have reached agreements with 'Ohana and plan to serve as part of the network.  'Ohana has 21 hospitals in its provider network, including Kapi`olani Women's and Children's Hospital, Queen's Medical Center, Straub Hospital and neighboring island hospitals.  The network also includes adult foster homes, nursing facilities and personal assistants.

To facilitate members' transition to the new plan, `Ohana will continue to pay for all medically necessary services covered under the current Medicaid fee-for-service program during the transition period as defined per the QExA contract, even if the providers are not part of its network.  'Ohana will then continue to recruit non-participating providers into its network.

Ohana's 120 employees at its main office in Waipahu and throughout the state are committed to providing quality medical services to a diverse client population, which includes many people with special needs.  Their focus is to provide members with the right service, at the right time and in the right place.

Recent additions to the 'Ohana leadership team include the following:

Patricia "Pat" Takamine has joined 'Ohana Health Plan as its chief operating officer.  Ms. Takamine brings more than 30 years of experience in health care and government programs, including experience as the CEO of one of the first Medicaid special needs long term care managed care programs in the nation. She has also served as an executive director of a Federally Qualified Health Center and as director of a State Medicaid managed care program.  She has family members that have physical disabilities, developmental disabilities and mental health substance abuse issues.  In her current position, Ms. Takamine is the market leader who will lead the Hawai'i team and assume overall responsibility for 'Ohana's operational performance.

Wendy Morriarty brings over a decade of hospital administration and managed care experience to her role as 'Ohana Health Plan's market director for the Big Island.  As the market director, Ms. Morriarty provides oversight and leadership for Hawai`i Island's local provider network, provider relations team and community outreach program.  She is also experienced as the primary caregiver for a disabled family member.

A full overview, with detailed biographies of Ohana's management team, is available on www.OhanaCares.com.  Detailed biographies for Pat Takamine and Wendy Morriarty have been attached.

About 'Ohana Health Plan
'Ohana Health Plan is a health plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG). 'Ohana Health Plan is one of two health plans awarded a contract to participate in QExA, which will provide primary, acute and long-term care for DHS Medicaid clients in the aged, blind or disabled (ABD) population. 'Ohana Health Plan's philosophy is to place members and their families at the center of the health care continuum. For more information about 'Ohana Health Plan and its services, please visit www.ohanahealthplan.com and www.ohanacares.com.

HONOLULU, HI (September 17 , 2008) --'Ohana Health Plan, one of two health plans selected by the State Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide managed care services through the QUEST Expanded Access (QExA) program, today introduced its senior leadership team.  QExA is a new Medicaid program for seniors, 65 and older, and people of ages with disabilities.

The members of the seven-person leadership team, led by 'Ohana's executive director Erhardt Hsiao-Lin Preitauer and based in Hawai'i, were recruited for their professional skills and knowledge of the special needs of the people of Hawai'i.

The 'Ohana leadership team includes (detailed biographies at www.ohanacares.com):

Erhardt Hsiao-Lin Preitauer, a native of Kaua'i, is 'Ohana's executive director and senior leader.  Preitauer brings more than 12 years experience and provides leadership and development support for the plan's operations, processes and provider network relationships.

James H.T. Tan serves as senior medical director.  Tan brings more than 32 years of experience and has practiced on Kaua'i and O'ahu.  He is responsible for the performance of the plan's health services and pharmacy operations.  He oversees quality management, care management and health and wellness, as well as the provider network contracting strategy.

Rida Ching, a lifelong resident of Hawai'i, is the manager of service coordination.  Ching brings more than 20 years of health care experience.  Ching is responsible for member service coordination.  She provides oversight and leadership for members with health plan management.

Ann M. Chipchase, a lifelong resident of Hawai'i, is responsible for community outreach, marketing, and promotional initiatives.  Chipchase has more than 30 years of experience in communications and community relations.

Carolyn Saiki, a lifelong resident of Hawai'i, serves as the human resources director.  She brings more than 19 years of experience and is responsible for leadership and guidance to support associate recruiting, retention and development.

Gregory Kono, born and raised on O'ahu, serves as the senior manager of regulatory affairs.  Kono, who has more than 10 years of experience, provides oversight and leadership for government and State regulatory affairs.

Ka'ili Honbo, born and raised in Hawai'i, is the senior sales manager with more than 15 years experience.  Honbo is responsible for sales, marketing and business development efforts.

In addition to this leadership team, 'Ohana is recruiting approximately 140 associates to fill new 'Ohana positions throughout the State to help start the program and provide support.

About 'Ohana Health Plan
'Ohana Health Plan is a health plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG).  'Ohana is one of two health plans awarded a contract to participate QExA, which will provide primary, acute and long-term care for 37,000 DHS Medicaid clients commonly referred to as the aged, blind or disabled (ABD) population. 'Ohana's philosophy is to place members and their families at the center of the health care continuum.  Our model is new to Hawai'i and includes local Hawai'i-based service coordinators to personalize interaction with members.  Each member will be matched with an 'Ohana service coordinator who will work directly with the member and multi-disciplinary health care team to develop a proactive care treatment plan that meets the members' medical and lifestyle needs.  Service coordinators are licensed nurses or experienced professionals such as social workers who are trained in health care management.  The company's administrative offices is at Seven Waterfront Plaza at 500 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 400 in Honolulu.  Services are expected to begin February 1, 2009.
 
WellCare provides managed care services exclusively for government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare.  Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, the aged, blind and disabled and prescription drug plans, currently serving more than 2.4 million members nationwide.  WellCare currently serves more than 1,600 Medicare members in Hawai'i through its Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans.  For more information about WellCare, please visit the Company's website at www.wellcare.com.

"It's an honor and privilege to come home to serve the people of Hawai'i through the state's Medicaid managed care program," said Erhardt Hsiao-Lin Preitauer, executive director of 'Ohana Health Plan and native of Kaua'i. "We appreciate the opportunity we've been given to enhance our members' quality of life, and we recognize the important role we play in their health and well-being."

"Understanding and embracing the multi-cultural demographics of our members are important elements of our service coordination model," said James Tan, MD, 'Ohana's medical director. "My many years as a practicing physician on Kaua'i and Oahu have taught me that a proactive, holistic approach to health care ultimately creates healthier communities."

'Ohana is recruiting a team of approximately 140 associates into new jobs which will be located throughout Hawai'i to help start the program and provide ongoing support.

'Ohana is creating a network of health care professionals that reinforces its philosophy of providing quality services to it members, and it will look to its providers as valuable partners in serving health care needs. 'Ohana has already received positive feedback from Hawai'i's medical community.

The company is located at Seven Waterfront Plaza at 500 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 400 in Honolulu.

About 'Ohana Health Plan

'Ohana Health Plan is a health plan offered by WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG). WellCare provides managed care services exclusively for government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, the aged, blind and disabled and prescription drug plans, currently serving more than 2.4 million members nationwide. WellCare currently serves more than 1,600 Medicare members in Hawai'i through its Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans. For more information about WellCare, please visit the Company's website at www.wellcare.com.