Important Information for WellCare Medicare Advantage Members

Beginning January 1, 2026, Deaconess Health System will no longer be in-network with WellCare Medicare Advantage.

Your access to trusted, high-quality health care with a compassionate spirit is at the heart of everything we do.

To uphold that promise, we continually review our relationships with health insurance plans to ensure they reflect the level of care and service our patients expect and deserve. Following a thorough evaluation, we’ve chosen to end our participation with WellCare Medicare Advantage, effective January 1, 2026.

Nothing changes today. You can continue to access our hospitals as usual with in-network coverage until December 31, 2025. Please keep all scheduled appointments in 2025.

What You Need to Know

• Deaconess remains in-network with WellCare through December 31, 2025.
• Starting January 1, 2026, WellCare Medicare Advantage will no longer be accepted at Deaconess hospitals, clinics, and provider offices.
• Emergency care is always covered at in-network rates, no matter your insurance, as required by law.

What You Can Do Today

• Keep all scheduled appointments and procedures in 2025, and avoid delaying routine health screenings, procedures, and important tests.
• We know how important it is for you to be able to continue to see your trusted healthcare providers at Deaconess Health, and we want to continue caring for you. We have provided the information below to help you understand the options available to you.

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period

Open enrollment is Oct. 15-Dec. 7. We want to ensure you have the information you need to make the best choice for your and your family’s care. To ensure you maintain access to the high-quality healthcare Deaconess provides during this year’s annual enrollment, you may choose to select Traditional Medicare with a supplement, or another Medicare Advantage plan we accept.

• View a list of plans that Deaconess will participate with in 2026 here
• Review plan options and enroll using www.Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE
• If you already have an Agent or Broker that helps with your Medicare, ensure you set an appointment to review plans for the 2026 Plan Year.
• Call The WellFund at 812-554-4151 to compare plans and select a Medicare plan for 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is happening?
  Following a thorough evaluation, we’ve chosen to end our participation with WellCare Medicare Advantage, effective January 1, 2026.
• Why is this happening?
  Your access to trusted, high-quality health care with a compassionate spirit is at the heart of everything we do. To uphold that promise, we continually review our relationships with health insurance plans to ensure they reflect the level of care and service our patients expect and deserve.
• What can I do to protect my access to Deaconess Health System?
  Open enrollment is Oct. 15-Dec. 7. We want to ensure you have the information you need to make the best choice for your and your family’s care. To ensure you maintain access to the high-quality healthcare Deaconess provides during this year’s annual enrollment, you may choose to select Traditional Medicare with a supplement, or another Medicare Advantage plan we accept.
  • View a list of plans that Deaconess will participate with in 2026 here
  • Review plan options and enroll using www.Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE
  • If you already have an Agent or Broker that helps with your Medicare, ensure you set an appointment to review plans for the 2026 Plan Year.
  • Call The WellFund at 812-554-4151 to compare plans and select a Medicare plan for 2026
• Will emergency care still be covered in network?
  Emergency care is always covered at in-network rates, no matter your insurance, as required by law.