Harmony Health Plan Associate Honored as Care Coordinator of the Year by the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans

CHICAGO and TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmony Health Plan, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), announced today that Dana Barrows, MA LCPC, was named Southern Illinois Care Coordinator of the Year by the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans (IAMHP). Barrows, a behavioral health transitions of care coordinator, received this honor in recognition of her dedication to helping Harmony's Medicaid members receive the most appropriate care, in the most appropriate setting.

"As a former Medicaid beneficiary myself and single mom, I was so grateful to have the coverage my children needed while I was a full-time student. I am thankful that I can now give back to my community," Barrows said. "I believe everyone has a right to quality healthcare no matter what circumstances they are currently in, and I believe that our members can and do recover. It is a privilege and an honor to be awarded the Care Coordinator of the Year by the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans."

Barrows and other Harmony care coordinators work face-to-face with families and children, seniors, and people with disabilities and other complex medical needs to help ensure they understand their healthcare rights as well as the importance of follow up care. For example, when a member reported to be suicidal during a telephone call with Barrows, she kept the member on the phone until a police officer arrived at her home and escorted the member to the hospital for behavioral health treatment.

"The IAMHP team is thrilled that Dana Barrow has been selected as the 2017 Southern Illinois Care Coordinator of the Year. Dana has been unwavering in her commitment to helping members navigate complex situations, embodying what it means to be a compassionate care coordinator. The Medicaid program is greater because of her passion and dedication to finding solutions for vulnerable members," said Samantha Olds Frey, IAMHP executive director.

"The commitment and passion of associates like Dana inspires me every day," said David Reynolds, senior vice president of WellCare's North Division and interim state president at Harmony Health Plan. "At Harmony, our members are our reason for being, and Dana goes above and beyond to ensure our members receive what they need to help them live better, healthier lives."

IAMHP issues two care coordinator awards annually, one in the northern region and one in the southern region. IAMHP is an organization of health plans that participate in Medicaid managed care in Illinois. Its members, which include Harmony Health Plan, are committed to improving the health of Illinoisans through high-quality healthcare that effectively and efficiently meets the needs of patients.

Barrows joined Harmony in 2014. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University, and a master's degree in counseling from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

As of Sept. 30, 2017, WellCare and Harmony Health Plan serve approximately 192,000 members in Illinois, including 139,000 Medicaid members, 18,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 36,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan 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 4.3 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2017. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.