Wellcare 2025 Medicare Advantage Contract Termination
We are committed to ensuring our community has access to comprehensive, high-quality health care and a robust network of medical services. This also includes engaging in effective partnerships with insurers who will help us fulfill that commitment.
Recently, we have attempted to negotiate our contract with Wellcare for its Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans. Despite repeated attempts to reach an agreement, we have been unable to reach a resolution. Therefore, beginning April 1, 2025, Tanner Health will not be an in-network provider in Wellcare’s MA health plans.
This change impacts Wellcare members who receive care at Tanner Health hospitals and facilities and Tanner Medical Group practices. Included below is a list of impacted Tanner services.
If you would like to change your plan, Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period is from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2025. You can make only one change during this period, and changes will take effect the first day of the month after the plan receives your request. Tanner hospitals continue to participate in Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans with Aetna, Cigna, Clover Health and Pruitt Health. We also participate in all Medicare supplement plans offered by all insurance companies.
Patients may continue to be insured by Wellcare MA PPO plans and use Tanner providers but may experience higher out-of-pocket expenses. These out-of-pocket expenses may include higher deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, etc. However, Wellcare MA HMO plans do not have any out-of-network benefits, and typically non-emergent care may not be covered. Because of this, patients covered by Wellcare MA HMO plans should seek non-emergent services from other providers.
To minimize the impact on your care, we have included detailed information below about what actions you can take to limit any disruption in your care.
If you would like to have your medical records forwarded to a new provider, please contact your Tanner Medical Group practice or Tanner facility; you may also arrange to pick them up in person.
You can contact a Tanner representative about Tanner’s participation in Medicare Advantage plans by calling 770-812-8752.
Tanner Services and Practices That Will Be Out-of-Network for Wellcare Medicare Advantage Plans on April 1
The following facilities and medical practices will no longer be a network participating provider with Wellcare Medicare Advantage health plans beginning April 1, 2025.
Tanner Hospitals and Services:
Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton - 770-812-9666
Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica - 770-812-3000
Higgins General Hospital - 770-812-2000
Tanner Medical Center/East Alabama - 256-357-2111
Willowbrooke at Tanner and other PHP and IOP locations - 770-812-3266
Willowbrooke Counseling Center - 770-812-8863
Willowbrooke Psychiatric Center - 770-812-3530
Tanner Boutique - 770-812-8338
Tanner Breast Health - 770-812-9280
Tanner Cancer Care/Roy Richards, Sr. Cancer Center - 770-812-9824
Tanner Home Health - 770-834-5438
Tanner Hospice Care - 770-214-2355
Tanner Imaging Center - 770-812-5979
Tanner MS Center/Atlanta - 770-812-3828
Tanner MS Center at Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica - 770-812-3515
Tanner Center for Sleep Disorders - 770-812-9146
Tanner Advanced Wound Center - 770-812-5605
West Georgia Endoscopy Center - 770-214-2800
West Georgia Surgery Center - 470-729-5200
West Georgia Infusion Center - 770-812-8498
West Georgia Urology Center - 770-834-6988
Tanner Medical Group Practices:
Buchanan Medical Clinic - 770-646-8281
Carrollton Ear, Nose and Throat - 770-832-1488
Carrollton Obstetrics and Gynecology - 770-214-2229
Carrollton Surgical Group - 770-834-3336
Comprehensive Breast Care Center - 770-812-5886
Infectious Diseases of West Georgia - 770-812-5837
Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers - 770-333-2220
Primary Care of Bremen - 770-537-6500
Tallapoosa Family Healthcare - 770-812-2800
Tanner Family Healthcare of Franklin - 706-675-6949
Tanner Healthcare for Children - 770-812-8640
Tanner Healthcare for Women (Carrollton) - 770-214-2121
Tanner Healthcare for Women (Villa Rica) - 770-812-3850
Tanner Heart & Vascular Specialists - 770-812-9326
Tanner Neurology - 770-812-3631
Tanner Pain Management - 770-812-5720
Tanner Primary Care at Mirror Lake - 770-812-3839
Tanner Primary Care at the Birches - 770-812-5678
Tanner Primary Care of Carrollton - 770-812-5831
Tanner Primary Care of Wedowee - 256-357-2188
Tanner Primary Care of West Paulding - 770-812-3866
Tanner Radiation Oncology - 770-812-9824
Tanner Rheumatology Specialists - 770-812-5003
Tanner Urgent Care - 770-812-9445
Tanner Urgent Care for Kids - 770-812-8825
Tanner Vascular Surgery - 770-812-5902
Villa Rica Family Medicine - 770-459-4411
West Carroll Family Healthcare - 770-258-5424
West Georgia Anesthesia Associates - 770-812-9666
West Georgia Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology - 678-836-0681
West Georgia Center for Plastic Surgery - 770-834-6302
West Georgia Urology - 770-834-6988
Woodland Family Healthcare - 256-449-2001
Tanner-Wellcare 2025 Medicare Advantage Contract Termination Frequently Asked Questions
When is the termination effective?
Tanner Health will transition to out-of-network with Wellcare Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans on April 1, 2025.
What if I want to use Tanner’s services at in-network benefits?
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period is Jan. 1 – March 31, 2025. You can make only one change during this period. Changes will take effect the first day of the month after the plan receives your request. This is an opportunity for you to select a plan whose provider network meets your expectations. Tanner hospitals continue to participate in Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans with Aetna, Cigna, Clover Health and Pruitt Health. We also participate in all Medicare supplement plans offered by all insurance companies. Many local insurance agents can assist you in this enrollment process. Below is a list of some local insurance agents for you to consider:
Agent: Randy Sanders
Sanders Associates Insurance
200 Buchanan St. N
Bremen, GA 30110
770-574-8686
Agent: Tom Woodward
Westwood Agency
514 West Bankhead Hwy., Suite 300
Villa Rica, GA 30180
770-462-5656
Agent: Jeremiah Westra
Westwood Agency
514 West Bankhead Hwy., Suite 300
Villa Rica, GA 30180
770-462-5656
Agents: David and Patricia Hosey
770-337-9150
770-403-1479
Agent: Mike Vollenweider
706-594-4522
What action is necessary on my part if I choose to continue to be covered by a Wellcare MA plan?
Beginning April 1, 2025, Wellcare MA PPO patients may experience higher out-of-pocket expenses by utilizing Tanner at out-of-network benefit coverage. These out-of-pocket expenses may include higher deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, etc. Contact Wellcare at the number on your insurance card to inquire about out-of-network benefit coverage. However, Wellcare MA HMO plans do not have any out-of-network benefits, and typically non-emergent care may not be covered. Because of this, patients covered by Wellcare MA HMO plans should seek non-emergent services from other providers.
Contact Wellcare at the number on your insurance card to find an in-network provider to continue receiving care without disruption. When you’ve identified a new provider, you may contact the Tanner provider or facility at the number on the enclosed sheet to arrange for your medical records to be forwarded.
What Medicare plans are Tanner hospitals in-network providers?
Tanner Hospitals are currently in-network providers in:
- Traditional Medicare
- Aetna Medicare Advantage
- Cigna Medicare Advantage
- Clover Health Medicare Advantage
- Pruitt Health Premier Medicare Advantage
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (Tanner/Alabama providers only)
Does this change impact Wellcare Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?
No. If you have a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy, then you have Traditional Medicare, not Medicare Advantage. There are many insurance companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, including Wellcare. Tanner’s termination with Wellcare does not impact Wellcare Medicare Supplement Insurance.
What if I have a medical emergency?
If you have a medical emergency, immediately visit the nearest emergency department. If you use a Tanner Health emergency department, we will evaluate your condition to determine if you have a medical emergency and provide treatment.
What if I continue to receive inpatient treatment at a Tanner hospital on the termination date?
If you are still receiving inpatient treatment as of April 1, 2025, your care will continue to be covered by Wellcare during your admission until the date of discharge.
What if I am a patient currently undergoing medical treatment?
If you are undergoing treatment, you may qualify for a Continuity of Care exception. You should contact Wellcare and initiate the process to verify if your medical condition is covered under Continuity of Care benefits. This would allow you to receive treatment from Tanner and be covered by Wellcare at the in-network benefit level for a specified time.
The service or specialist I use isn’t on the enclosed list. What should I do?
You may use a Wellcare in-network service or a community-based medical provider Tanner does not operate. These providers evaluate their participation in health plans on their own basis and may still be an in-network provider of the Wellcare MA health plan. However, if those providers refer you to any Tanner facility or Tanner-employed provider for treatment or evaluation, you may experience higher out-of-pocket expenses by utilizing Tanner at out of-network benefit coverage if covered by a Wellcare PPO plan.
These out-of-pocket expenses may include higher deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, etc. However, Wellcare MA HMO plans do not have any out-of-network benefits, and typically non-emergent care may not be covered. Because of this, patients covered by Wellcare MA HMO plans should seek non-emergent services from other providers.
I still have questions — with whom can I speak?
Contact Wellcare if you have any further questions or concerns. You can contact Wellcare using the customer service number on your health insurance card.
You can also contact a Tanner representative about Tanner’s participation in Medicare Advantage plans by calling 770-812-8752.