CONTACT
Julie Naughton, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-1695 (office); (402) 405-7202 (cell); julie.naughton@nebraska.gov
Lincoln – Dr. Matthew Van Patton, Director of the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, issued a statement following Thursday's announcement from Centene Corporation.
Centene Corporation and WellCare Health Plans, Inc. announced today that WellCare has entered into a definitive agreement under which Anthem, Inc. will acquire WellCare's Missouri and Nebraska Medicaid plans. Anthem, a for-profit managed health care company and the nation's second-largest health insurer, operates Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in 14 states, including Missouri. With the deal, it will serve 300,000 Medicaid members.
Both Centene (which owns Nebraska Total Care) and WellCare, along with United Healthcare Community Plan of Nebraska, are currently payors for Heritage Health, Nebraska's Medicaid managed care program. Centene and WellCare announced their intent to merge their parent companies in March 2019. Anthem's acquisition of WellCare's Nebraska Medicaid plan is subject to approval by federal and state authorities, including the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
“Centene and WellCare are valued partners, and Anthem is a well-known payor in the marketplace," said Dr. Van Patton. “As we continue our preparations to expand Nebraska's Medicaid program in 2020, DHHS is committed to the tenets of Heritage Health, which include giving consumers a diverse choice of coverage options in Nebraska. Consistent with this commitment and with our oversight responsibilities, we will review the WellCare-Anthem transaction to ensure that our members will continue to receive excellent levels of care and service."