WellCare looks to insurance giant for new state exec

TAMPA — WellCare Health Plans named Lee Bowers COO for Florida.

Bowers will provide leadership and oversight across the state on network management, behavioral health operations and sales and marketing functions, according to a statement. He will report to Elizabeth Miller, state president, Florida.

"I am excited to have Lee join our team," Miller says in the release. "With over 25 years of managed care and provider experience, he brings tremendous operational leadership and expertise to our organization and will contribute greatly to WellCare."

Bowers was most recently vice president of national duals, Medicaid and long-term services and supports (LTSS) network for Humana, where he developed and executed large market and state-specific provider network strategies. Bowers has also held managed care roles at WellPoint Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida.

"I am delighted to join WellCare's talented leadership team and further support the strong foundation they have established serving Florida Medicaid and Medicare members," says Bowers.

As of Sept. 30, WellCare serves approximately 779,000 Medicaid members, 62,000 Florida Healthy Kids members, 93,000 Medicare Advantage members and 29,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Florida. The company serves about 3.8 million members nationwide.