Wellcare Medicare Advantage Plans Review
Wellcare offers Medicare Advantage plans in all 50 states, including HMO, PPO, and SNP plans.
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Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans were crafted to help members get the affordable and quality care they need to feel their best, but choosing the right plan can be daunting. Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans cater to more than 1.2 million members.1 Wellcare provides coverage not offered by Original Medicare, such as dental, hearing, and vision care. Some plans may even include prescription drug coverage, fitness memberships, massages, and alternative medicine coverage.
Our experts took the time to explore and assess the available Medicare Advantage plans from Wellcare. So if you’re looking to get your Medicare Advantage coverage from this carrier, keep reading to learn about the options available to you. We’ll also compare its plans with some of the best Medicare Advantage plans on the market today.
Pros About What We Like
- Wellcare is owned by Centene, which has provided Medicare Advantage plans for over 20 years.
- Wellcare offers D-SNP, HMO, PPO, and C-SNP plans.
- Wellcare Spendables card is a preloaded debit card that allows members the flexibility to purchase OTC items at participating retailers, online, phone order, or catalog order.
- Many plans include coverage for vision, dental, and hearing visits, and some include prescription drug coverage.
- Wellcare offers low monthly premiums and low out-of-pocket maximums for some plans.
- Wellcare plans may also include benefits such as fitness memberships, telehealth, acupuncture, chiropractic services, podiatry services, transportation, meal delivery, and worldwide coverage.
- No more than $35 for a one-month supply of insulin products.
Cons About What We Don't Like
- If you choose Wellcare, it may be more expensive to use out-of-network providers. For example, your plan may cost more if you want to use a primary care physician who isn’t in your network, or you may have higher copays.
- If you live in a rural area, it may be harder to find doctors who are in your network.
Available Wellcare Medicare Advantage Plans
About 32.8 million people were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2024.2 Wellcare offers plans such as HMOs, PPOs, C-SNPs, and D-SNPs. Wellcare’s Medicare Advantage plans include benefits such as dental, hearing services, and vision with varying levels of copays and out-of-pocket maximums for in-network and out-of-network service providers. In addition, some plans include prescription medication plans with structured tiers of payments. Plans and payments can change from year to year, so you’ll want to review your coverage regularly.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans
The HMO plan includes Original Medicare benefits, along with additional coverage for things like dental, hearing, vision, and prescriptions. Your care will be coordinated through a primary care doctor and a network of providers. Out-of-network providers may cost more, and referrals are usually needed to see a specialist.
These plans are best for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries who don’t often travel out of their network area or who are looking for low-cost options. With these plans, it’s harder and more expensive to receive care from practitioners who are not in-network.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans
PPO plans have reduced rates for in-network providers but also still receive reimbursements for out-of-network providers. This makes it easier to visit out-of-network providers when necessary. Often, you don’t need a referral for specialists with these types of plans.
A PPO may be right for you if you have a doctor or team of doctors that might not be in your HMO network or if you live in a more rural area where in-network practitioners are harder to find.
Did You Know? Some Wellcare plans cover benefits such as fitness memberships and alternative medicine, like chiropractic care and acupuncture.
Special-Needs Plans (SNPs)
SNPs are for people who meet specific criteria. To qualify for an SNP, you must be:
- Eligible for Medicare
- Living on a limited income
- Eligible for Medicaid
Your plan may include hospital, doctor, and prescription drug coverage; care management services; routine vision and dental coverage; transportation assistance for appointments; and coverage for certain over-the-counter items. This plan may be right for you if you have limitations due to income or specific health needs.
Extra Perks and Benefits
There are a variety of extra benefits included with Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans, such as over-the-counter medications, telehealth services, and varying levels of dental services. You may also find diabetes resources, fitness benefits, and short-term meals. All plans include a 24-hour nurse helpline and compassionate customer service.
FYI: Wellcare is one of SeniorLiving.org’s top picks for Medicare Advantage plans thanks to its extra health and wellness benefits.
How Much Do Wellcare Medicare Advantage Plans Cost?
Plan prices can vary widely for Wellcare’s Medicare Advantage plans. Although some of Wellcare’s plans have no monthly cost, this doesn’t include the standard monthly Medicare Part B premium of $185 per month.3
Other costs will vary depending on the type and amount of coverage, whether the plan offers out-of-network coverage, how much the maximum out-of-pocket expense will be, and more.
For example, plans that have low or zero-cost monthly premiums usually come with higher deductibles or more expensive copays. But on the other hand, plans that have higher monthly premiums are more likely to have lower copays and deductibles.
Did You Know? There are over 66 million4 people already enrolled in Medicare. Here’s everything you need to know about Medicare enrollment.
According to our research, many Wellcare plans have $0 monthly premiums. For example, a search using a Miami, Florida, ZIP code brought up five plans, all with $0 monthly premiums. Just keep in mind that this does not include the standard Medicare Part B premium of $185 that most beneficiaries pay.
Where Are Wellcare Medicare Advantage Plans Available?
Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans are available in all 50 states, with over 1.2 million people enrolled. You’ll still need to check if Wellcare’s Medicare Part C plans are available in your area. Unfortunately, in-network provider participation is sparse in more rural areas, where the population is less dense. You’ll have more options if you live in a more populated area.
Reviews and Ratings
It can be helpful to look at reviews and ratings from credible third parties to see how Wellcare ranks in the industry.
Agency | Rating |
---|---|
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) | 3.2 to 5 stars |
NCQA | 2.5 to 3.5 out of 5 |
BBB | A |
Customer Service
Wellcare boasts about its kind and helpful customer service, which is a huge bonus for the company and its customers.
You can reach the customer service line at 1-844-599-0139 (TTY 711) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
Wellcare also offers a mobile app and website portal that you can use to review your benefits. You can also use your app in place of your ID card at an appointment.
Did You Know? Your Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan may offer telehealth services so you can talk to your care provider without leaving home.
Wellcare vs. the Competition
If you’re shopping around for Medicare Advantage plans and are still undecided, then it’s time to take a look at what other carriers have to offer. Here’s a quick breakdown of the competition:
Wellcare vs. Humana
Humana Medicare Advantage has plans in 48 states, including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and offers 793 Medicare Advantage plans. Humana provides four plan types: HMO, PPO, SNP, and PFFS, which is more than Wellcare offers. However, Wellcare has coverage in all 50 states. Wellcare offers many benefits, including some that aren’t common, like acupuncture and chiropractic services. Humana offers perks like dental, vision, and hearing, a SilverSneakers fitness program (in some areas), meal delivery, an OTC allowance, and an insulin savings program.
Wellcare vs. UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage has $0 premiums on most plans and $0 copays for primary care and Part D coverage with most plans. It also has a partnership with AARP and provides a wide variety of benefits for members, as well as AARP discounts. UnitedHealthcare contracts with over 1.5 million physicians and care professionals and 7,000 hospitals and other care facilities throughout the U.S., and is a leader in the health care industry.
Wellcare vs. CareFirst
Unlike Wellcare, which offers D-SNP, HMO, PPO, and C-SNP plans, CareFirst Medicare Advantage offers two main PPO plans but only serves two states. There are more than 7,000 providers in the network. Similar to Wellcare, CareFirst offers chiropractic, acupuncture, and podiatry coverage in plans. CareFirst also offers a plan just for veterans and military retirees, called the Salute PPO Plan. However, you can only enroll in the plan if you reside in Maryland or Washington, D.C.
Our Methodology
Our research team dedicated over 50 hours to thoroughly assess the Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans. We examined various factors such as geographic reach, available plan options, pricing structures, and member benefits. Below are the key areas we evaluated:
- Plan options and coverage: We analyzed the states where the plans are available, the different types of plans offered, and the extent of medical and hospital coverage provided. Our review also included prescription drug benefits as well as supplementary features like dental care, hearing services, telehealth support, fitness programs, and 24/7 access to a nurse hotline.
- Cost efficiency: We compared essential cost components including monthly premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Our evaluation also took into account out-of-pocket maximums and other potential health care expenses to determine the overall value of each plan relative to its competitors.
- Customer service: We factored in ratings from respected agencies like NCQA, AM Best, CMS, and BBB, alongside individual member feedback. Additionally, we assessed the availability and accessibility of customer support channels, as well as the ease and efficiency of claims processing and issue resolution.
- Additional perks: Extra benefits such as fitness and wellness programs, meal delivery services, telehealth options, transportation assistance, and more were also weighed to measure the comprehensive value offered by these plans.
Final Thoughts on Wellcare Medicare Advantage Plans
Many people across the United States are enrolled in a Wellcare Medicare Advantage plan. The company has a long history of offering plans that help Medicare beneficiaries live their healthiest life, with a large network of providers and services available.
>> Related Reading: DevotedHealth Medicare Advantage Plans Review
Wellcare may be a solid option if you live in an area with good network coverage. But if you live in a rural area where the availability of medical care is a little more sparse, you may want to find a different company to access Medicare Advantage plans.
Overall, Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans are comprehensive, offering a variety of options to suit your individual health needs with plenty of extra benefits to help you live your healthiest life.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What happens if my doctor is not familiar with Wellcare Medicare Advantage Plans?
If your doctor or health care provider is not familiar with Wellcare plans, you can ask them to contact Wellcare to speak with a customer service representative.
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How do I take advantage of the 24-hour Nurse Advice Line?
You can dial 1-800-581-9952 (TTY users dial 711) to chat with a nurse who can provide answers to your medical questions. The contact number is also on the back of your member ID card. Nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Can I get emergency care if needed?
You have access to emergency care anywhere in the U.S. and don’t need approval from Wellcare.
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Can I return to original Medicare if I’m not happy with my Wellcare plan?
Yes, joining Wellcare doesn’t mean you will lose your Medicare benefits. But you are limited on when and how often you change your Medicare Advantage plan.
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Wellcare. (2025). About Us.
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KFF. (2024). Medicare Advantage in 2024: Enrollment Update and Key Trends.
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Medicare.gov. (2025). 2025 Medicare Costs.
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Medicare. (2025). About Us.