Owensboro Health ‘back at the negotiation table’ with WellCare

November 15, 2018 | 12:58 pm

Updated November 17, 2018 | 8:05 am

UPDATE: WellCare Corporate and Investor Communications & Corporate Finance Executive Charles Talbert issued the following statement to Owensboro Times:

“On Nov. 9, Owensboro Health Regional Hospital notified us of their intent to terminate their contract with WellCare, effective April 1, 2019. While we are disappointed by this announcement, and the means by which it was communicated to our members and providers, we are confident we will reach an agreement with the hospital before April 1, 2019. During this time, our members’ health and access to quality care remains our number-one priority. We encourage our members to contact customer service if they have any questions.”


Owensboro Health Regional Hospital posted flyers Tuesday stating that as of April 1, 2019 they would no longer participate with WellCare of Kentucky, one of five managed care organizations (MCO) available to Kentucky Medicaid members. Photos of the notice quickly spread across social media.

According to OHRH Director of Marketing Brian Hamby, the flyers have been taken down.

“We have been negotiating a contract with WellCare for over a year,” Hamby said.

Staff posted the flyer because open enrollment for Medicaid members ends Nov. 30, Hamby said.

“We are back at the negotiation table,” Hamby said. “We are committed to our patients and know this is important to the community.”

Currently 38 percent of patients in OHRH’s 12-county service area are WellCare members, Hamby said. While there are five MCOs available to Kentuckians, OHRH is only in network with four of them — Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, Humana CareSource, Passport Health Plan and WellCare of Kentucky, if a negotiation can be reached. OHRH does not accept Anthem Medicaid.

“We are doing everything we can to build a good relationship with WellCare,” Hamby said. “We will let the community know when more develops.”

At this time, WellCare is still considered in network at OHRH. WellCare of Kentucky could not be reached for comment.

November 15, 2018 | 12:58 pm

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