2013-01-17 14:34:14 -

TAMPA, Fla. (Jan. 17, 2013) - WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) has been
named the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay's 2013 Rising Star. The honor is
in recognition of the company's commitment to provide on-going support to help
change the lives of the approximately 2,000 children from Hillsborough, Pasco
and Polk Counties who participate in Big Brothers Big Sisters each year.

"We are excited to partner with a true community leader like WellCare," said
Stephen Koch, CEO and president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Inc.
"Their focus on collaborating to deliver innovative solutions that drive long-
term benefits for the communities they serve will help to make a meaningful
difference everywhere they do business."

Children who are facing adversity such as living in a   single-parent home, living
in a home with a deployed parent, or who have an incarcerated parent participate
in Big Brothers Big Sisters. As the oldest and most successful mentoring
organization in the country, it holds itself accountable for demonstrating
positive academic and social outcomes. Locally, the impact has been significant:
99 percent of participants had no involvement in the juvenile justice system,
96 percent of participants were promoted to the next grade level and 95 percent
showed an increase in self-confidence.

"WellCare is dedicated to working locally to create community-based solutions
and strengthen social services that assist our members and communities," said
Pamme Taylor, WellCare's vice president of advocacy and community-based
programs. "We want to thank Big Brothers Big Sisters for this recognition and
are excited to increase our support and collaboration. With more than 600 local
children on the organization's waiting list, we all have an opportunity to reach
out and expand the social safety net."

Big Brothers Big Sisters depends on community support, in the form of volunteers
and donations, to serve children and deliver positive outcomes. It costs
approximately $1,000 a year to make and maintain a match between a mentor and a
child. If you are interested in becoming a mentor or if you would like to donate
funds to support mentoring, call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay at (813)
769-3600 or enroll online at www.bbbsfl.org.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides managed care services targeted to
government-sponsored health care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare offers a variety of health plans for
families, children, and the aged, blind and disabled, as well as prescription
drug plans. The company serves approximately 2.6 million members nationwide as
of Sept. 30, 2012. For more information about WellCare, please visit the
company's website at www.wellcare.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
WellCare
Marq Caughell
813-206-3956
marq.caughell@wellcare.com


Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay Honors WellCare as a Rising Star: 
 hugin.info/145241/R/1671045/543155.pdf



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Source: WellCare Health Plans, Inc. via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1671045]