Carelink—Caring For West Virginia
One company, 11 years, close to 80,000 people served in West Virginia. At Carelink, a subsidiary of Coventry Health Care, we’re a managed care company that strives to better the health and lives of West Virginians statewide. Carelink is a managed care organization (MCO), offering many health insurance products to West Virginia and bordering states.
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coventry Health Care, Inc., we offer a variety of health insurance products to the West Virginia population. The two primary products offered to the employer groups across the state are the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) product and the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) product. A Medicaid product is offered to many eligible members throughout the state and a new product is planned for launch in the next few months.. This new product is a non-employer sponsored group health plan for individuals and families and will be named CoventryOne. All of Carelink’s benefit plans are specifically designed to meet the needs of the West Virginia population.
With the headquarters located in Charleston and a satellite office in Wheeling, Carelink is locally focused and able to provide local services to all 55 counties in the state. Our account executives and account managers are dedicated to giving timely, attentive service to their employer groups and our provider network management specialists give the same dedicated service to our participating providers. The medical director for the plan is housed in the Charleston office along with Health Services staff.
One of the primary benefits to the Carelink membership is the extensive provider network. Carelink’s provider network offers access to over 11,000 physicians and 126 hospitals in West Virginia and bordering states. Many employer groups offer a Carelink PPO benefit plan for their employees who live and work outside of the Carelink service area. Carelink’s out-of-area plan utilizes a provider network called Coventry Health Care National Network, which is the nation’s largest directly contracted national provider network.
New in 2006 is Carelink’s Passport Program that allows dependents of Carelink members who live outside of Carelink’s service area to receive services at in-network benefit levels.
About Coventry Health Care, Inc.
Coventry Health Care, Inc. is a diversified nationally-managed health care company based in Bethesda, Maryland. With nearly 10,000 employees, Coventry operates health plans, insurance companies, network rental services companies and workers’ compensation service companies covering over 3.7 million members.
Coventry focuses on implementing the basics of our business by maintaining financial security, upholding high quality standards, providing superior customer service and being innovative in all areas of business.
Coventry Well Being
Helping maintain and improve the health of our members is a key goal of Carelink. One of the programs offered in this effort is known as Coventry WellBeing. This program is an innovative self-care and wellness program designed to offer tools and support to our members to help improve their overall wellbeing. Members have access to a variety of programs including a health risk assessment, wellness products and program discounts, online health information for adults, teens and children and My ePHIT (Personal Health Improvement Training). My ePHIT offers an online program that uses cutting-edge technology and proven techniques to engage members in activities promoting physical fitness, good eating habits, and behavioral management.
Carelink Medicaid
Carelink’s Medicaid product was launched in 1996 when the state of West Virginia introduced managed care to the Medicaid population. Carelink currently provides coverage to approximately 29,000 Medicaid members in 16 counties. Ongoing initiatives are in place to expand this product into additional counties in West Virginia. The current membership consists of the state’s TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) population.
Carelink Medicaid has a strong community outreach program with employees assisting in several community events. The Medicaid staff visits schools throughout the state to educate students on various health issues and follows up with members who have special health care needs. Carelink strives to maintain a very visible presence with the West Virginia Medicaid population. A significant part of this presence is generated through our official mascot, Doc Bear. Doc Bear is well known throughout the state and is generally present at each of our community events.
In 2004, the Carelink Medicaid program joined with Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) to launch a childhood obesity and nutrition project. As part of this project, health kits were distributed to several primary care physicians in the Charleston area. The kits included educational materials for children and adults on healthy lifestyle habits and some fun fitness equipment such as jump ropes for the children. Carelink and CAMC are currently co-sponsoring a Sesame Street production named, “The Body.” This production is an interactive exhibit located at the Clay Center that introduces children to various health issues.
Community Focused
Carelink has always been community-minded and helps in sponsoring many events throughout the state. In addition to the many corporate community sponsorships, Carelink places a large emphasis on health related charities and foundations. Each year, Carelink employees participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at the State Capital. We are also routinely involved with the American Heart Association. This past year, a Carelink team was formed to participate in the American Heart Association’s “Healthy Life Challenge.” The team competed in the areas of weight loss, cholesterol readings, blood pressure and physical endurance.
Carelink is proud of our commitment to the role that we play in maintaining and improving the health of our members. We are looking forward to continuing this role and having a positive impact on the health and well being of West Virginians for years to come.
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With over 10,000 employees, Coventry operates health plans, insurance companies, network rental services companies and workers’ compensation service companies covering over 3.7 million members.
Carelink currently provides coverage to approximately 29,000 Medicaid members in 16 counties.