WellCare of Kentucky, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), announced today that it named William "Bill" Jones state president, effective Aug. 25, 2016. Jones will be responsible for WellCare's Medicaid and Medicare Advantage businesses across the Commonwealth. He will report to Kelly Munson, WellCare's senior vice president, division president and Medicaid product.

"Bill is an innovative leader with a proven track record of success in a highly competitive and regulated industry," said Munson. "His more than 20 years of health care experience and deep commitment to helping people get the care and services they need made him the right choice for our team and our members."

"I look forward to building upon WellCare's strong market reputation as the largest Medicaid managed care organization in Kentucky," said Jones. "This is an exciting opportunity to work with a very talented and dedicated team in partnership with the state, providers and community-based organizations to enhance quality and access to care for Kentuckians."

Most recently, Jones was vice president, payment integrity and government business operations for Highmark, Inc. While in this position, he led a team of more than 600 associates responsible for the company's Medicare Advantage, Exchange and Medigap product lines. Before that, as the chief operating officer for CalOptima inOrange, California, he served approximately 750,000 Medicaid and Medicare members. Jones also held leadership roles at Amerigroup Corporation in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Des Moines, Iowa.

Jones has a master's of business administration from Duke University and a bachelor's of social science degree from Mercyhurst College.

As of June 30, 2016, WellCare serves approximately 445,000 Medicaid members, 8,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 20,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Kentucky. To learn more about how we care for Kentuckians, watch Brandi's story at http://youtu.be/YwOw5EgeSYo.

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. WellCare serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of June 30, 2016. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos athttps://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.