Good Morning Provider,

As part of the WellCare of North Carolina (WellCare) provider network, you are a critical partner in our mission to provide our members across North Carolina with access to high-quality care. Today, I am pleased to share with you that, as part of this mission, WellCare and Carolina Complete Health (CCH) intend to combine into one statewide health plan sometime in 2026, enabling us to continue to enhance and simplify our partnership with providers.

WellCare and CCH share a deep commitment to improving the health of communities in North Carolina. As a combined health plan, we will simplify administrative processes for providers like you, enabling you to devote more time and resources to your patients.

Importantly, the new combined health plan will preserve a governance structure that is expected to be a Provider Led Entity. It will continue to be led by North Carolina physicians. The Medical Affairs Committee’s role and charter will remain intact. This model strengthens your voice and leadership to ensure our policies best serve your patients and our members. The combined health plan will be partially owned by the physicians and other providers of North Carolina, through the investment of the NC Medical Society in association with the NC Community Health Center Association.

Please know that neither WellCare nor CCH’s Tailored Plan operations will be impacted by this announcement. Additionally, WellCare brings extensive provider collaboration on the social determinants of health, as well as increasing penetration of value-based care arrangements. CCH in turn offers concierge provider services and the provider innovation projects that have been the hallmark of their plan. Together, we will have an opportunity to enhance the value we offer providers and improve wellbeing for our members and communities.

Importantly, nothing changes as of today. There is no change to our provider network or contracts and there are no actions you need to take. WellCare and CCH will continue to operate as separate health plans until completion of the merger and as we await state approval. The merger is also subject to regulatory approvals by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) and the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NC DOI).

WellCare and CCH intend to pursue a thoughtful integration plan, and we are committed to providing transparent communications as early and as often as we can. As we finalize details on the combination of our two health plans, we will follow up with additional information in the coming months.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your designated provider relations representative.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the health of our members.