Care1st Health Plan Arizona Supports Initiatives with Long-time Partner, the American Association of Service Coordinators to Promote Healthier Communities

PHOENIX and TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- After years of collaborative efforts, Care1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc. (Care1st), a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) company, continues to support the American Association of Service Coordinators (AASC) and its programs to promote better health outcomes and self-sufficiency for Medicaid and Medicare-eligible members and their communities.

Service coordinators are valuable members of an affordable housing management team. They usually have social work or human services background in order to help connect seniors, individuals with disabilities and vulnerable families to supportive services and community resources.

Seven years ago, Care1st helped found and develop the Arizona Chapter of AASC and it continues to participate as an active member to this day. Care1st also engages on the AASC Board of Directors. It was initially through this participation that Care1st began designing services to meet the health needs of Arizona's vulnerable.

Gregory's Fresh Market is one such service that Care1st has worked with service coordinators to deliver to various senior housing facilities across the Valley. Since many of the residents in these facilities lack transportation or reside in food desert areas, Care1st sponsors for "Gregory's Fresh Market," a non-profit, mobile farmers' market, to bring fresh fruits and vegetables directly to seniors. This program also offers healthy cooking demonstrations and nutrition education.

"We're proud to have the opportunity to show our continued support for our long-time partner, AASC," said Scott Cummings, state president at Care1st. "This collaboration has allowed us to connect our members and the residents of these affordable housing communities with important services that can improve quality of life."

To date, through the partnership with AASC and Gregory's Fresh Market, Care1st has served more than 6,000 seniors at more than 30 senior housing facilities.

Care1st is also showing its support by providing a $6,000 sponsorship to AASC's 2017 "National Service Coordinator Conference" being held from Sept. 24-27, 2017 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. More than 1,250 service coordinators and other professionals will be in attendance including those from Care1st and the WellCare Florida-based team.

"We have been impressed with the high level of community involvement provided by Care1st, particularly when partnering with AASC and service coordinators," said Janice Monks, president and CEO of AASC. "Their leadership in developing wellness programs that benefit not only their members, but the community, is admirable and sets standards for other health plans to follow."

Care1st looks forward to continuing its collaborative efforts with AASC in the future in order to build healthier communities.

As of June 30, 2017, Care1st serves approximately 158,000 AHCCCS (Medicaid) members, 2,000 Medicare Advantage Special Needs members, and 21,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) members.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. The company serves approximately 4.4 million members nationwide as of June 30, 2017. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

About AASC

AASC is a non-profit membership organization comprised of over 3,000 service coordinators, property managers, housing directors and other affordable housing professionals. Its members assist elderly and disabled residents and families living in affordable housing communities to identify, locate and acquire the services and supports necessary for them to become and remain self-sufficient. AASC is a resource for education, best practices and networking opportunities and advocate for our members at the national level.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.