Is WellCare part of Medicare Part D?

Asked by: Maureen Gottlieb IV  |  Last update: September 25, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (65 votes)

Wellcare is the Medicare brand for Centene Corporation, an HMO, PPO, PFFS, PDP plan with a Medicare contract and is an approved Part D Sponsor.

Is Wellcare the same as Medicare Part D?

Wellcare is a private insurance company contracted with Medicare to offer various plans like Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) and stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, providing an alternative way to receive Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, benefits.

What falls under Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Part D is optional and only provided through private insurance companies approved by the federal government.

What does Wellcare fall under?

Centene offers Medicare plans under the singular national brand Wellcare. We focus on simplifying the healthcare experience for our members and offer coverage that goes beyond Original Medicare to help our members live better, healthier lives.

What does Wellcare cover for seniors?

The private insurance company WellCare Health Plans, Inc. offers two kinds of Medicare plans. One type of plan, Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Original Medicare and includes hospitalization, medical, and prescription drug coverage. Advantage plans also frequently offer extra benefits such as dental.

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Who owns Wellcare Medicare Part D?

Who is the parent company for Wellcare? Wellcare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to transforming the health of the community, one person at a time.

What is the most popular Part D drug plan?

The best Medicare Part D provider is Aetna. It has top ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and affordable premiums. Other great providers include Wellcare and UnitedHealthcare.

Can you have Medicare and Wellcare at the same time?

If you qualify for Medicare & Medicaid, you may be eligible for more healthcare benefits. Wellcare offers Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) that work with your Medicaid coverage. These plans help lower your out-of-pocket costs and provide more benefits than Original Medicare.

What pharmacies can you use with Wellcare?

Preferred pharmacies that include Walgreens*, CVS*, and select grocers*. Find a Preferred Pharmacy by plan.

What is the $2000 limit for Medicare Part D?

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, in 2025 annual out-of-pocket costs will be capped at $2,000 for people with Medicare Part D.

What are the top 5 medicare supplement plans?

💬 From our Nerds: What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

What happens if I refuse Medicare Part D?

If you don't sign up for a Part D plan when you are first eligible to do so, and you decide later you want to sign up, you will be required to pay a late enrollment penalty equal to 1% of the national average premium amount for every month you didn't have coverage as good as the standard Part D benefit.

Is Wellcare a good insurance company for seniors?

Customer reviews and complaints

Wellcare has one of the lowest ratings among major Medicare Advantage companies, averaging 3 stars overall. By comparison, the national average is 3.9 stars. Top competitors like Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) all have star ratings of four or better.

What is the preferred pharmacy for Wellcare 2024?

Express Scripts Pharmacy® is Wellcare's preferred mail order provider, replacing CVS Caremark®. CVS Caremark Mail Order® is out-of-network in 2024. For existing mail order users: Most open prescription refills have been automatically transferred to Express Scripts.

Is Wellcare a good Part D plan for seniors?

Wellcare has the best overall plans for Medicare Part D because of its good ratings and affordable monthly costs. Its plans also have low copays for generic drugs, which can help save you money.

Is Medicare Part D mandatory?

Enrollment in Part D is generally voluntary, however, some people are required to be enrolled, and others should not enroll.

Can I drop my employer health insurance and go on Medicare Part B?

Once you stop working (or lose your health insurance, if that happens first) you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you can sign up for Medicare (or add Part B to existing Part A coverage).

What is the best medicare plan that covers everything for seniors?

Original Medicare with Medigap likely offers the most comprehensive coverage, but it may also be the most costly. A person can consider their income and how much they are able to spend before choosing a Medicare plan. Original Medicare with Medigap also offers a lot of flexibility when choosing a doctor or specialist.

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.

Are Part D plans worth it?

No, Medicare Part D isn't a requirement. However, many people find that enrolling in a Part D plan is worth the investment. Your health can be unpredictable, so while you may not need many (or any) prescription drugs now, you may need them in the future.

What pharmacies accept Wellcare Part D?

Affordable coverage & more for the prescriptions you need.

$0 copays for most Part D covered vaccines. Insulins that cost no more than $35 a month for a 30-day supply. Preferred pharmacies that include Walgreens*, CVS*, and select grocers*.

What's going on with Wellcare?

WellCare Medicare Advantage (MA), a subsidiary of Centene, will close its Medicare Advantage plan business in six states in 2025. Almost 40,000 Medicare beneficiaries on Medicare Advantage plans will be impacted in Alabama, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Is Wellcare better than Humana for seniors?

"Based on my research, I found two top Medicare Part D companies in 2025. First, Wellcare's Value Script plan has $0 premiums in most states while also receiving good star ratings. Second, Humana stands out in government ratings of members' experience with its plans."