WellCare growing Medicaid services

TAMPA — WellCare Health Plans Inc. has been approved by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to offer Medicaid in six additional counties in the state starting Jan. 1.

WellCare will be expanding to Charleston, Chesterfield, Greenwood, Kershaw, McCormick and Spartanburg counties. With this approval, WellCare will provide Medicaid services in 45 out of 46 counties in South Carolina.

In addition, starting the first of the year, Carolina Medical Homes will transition its members to WellCare as a result of changes to the Healthy Connections Choices Medicaid managed care program and WellCare's purchase of certain assets from Carolina Medical Homes.