News Releases - November 4, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Deb Wiethop
314.923.4767
deborah.wiethop@wellpoint.com
SAVANNAH, Ga –UniCare Life and Health Insurance Company (UniCare) announced today that it is locating a managed Medicaid operations center in Savannah. The center's opening in early 2005 reflects the regional growth of this managed Medicaid health plan. The company currently expects to employ up to 25 associates in the first half of 2005 and approximately 75 associates by the end of 2005.
"The location of the service center in Savannah strengthens our commitment to Georgia, a state with an excellent workforce and business-friendly environment," said John Monahan, senior vice president for the company’s state-sponsored business programs. "Additional reasons for selecting Georgia's first city are the professionalism and experience of Georgia’s Quick Start Program and their capability to support us in training new associates."
"UniCare is a distinguished national health benefits company and WellPoint’s managed Medicaid operation, serving 1.5 million members, is the largest in the country," said Georgia Department of Economic Development commissioner Craig Lesser. "These new jobs highlight a relationship that will be good for Savannah and the state. This new facility will be a great addition to Georgia’s business community."
The company considered a number of communities before finally determining that Savannah was the most suitable location. According to Lynn Pitts, senior vice president of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, the process was extensive: "UniCare and its parent, WellPoint, are experts in the health benefits industry and their standards of excellence extend into every aspect of their business. We are very proud to be working with them and pleased to welcome them to Savannah."
The Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) works to improve the standard of living for all citizens of Savannah/Chatham County through the attraction of new investment, the creation of new jobs and the support of established industries already in the area. An independently financed not-for-profit organization, SEDA is a marketing and sales driven organization that provides professional location and expansion services at no cost to the client or the local public.
UniCare serves 1.6 million medical members and is the national operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc., the nation’s second largest publicly traded health care company. WellPoint serves the health care needs of 15.5 million medical members and 46.2 million specialty members. WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of quality network-based health products including open access PPO, POS and hybrid products, HMO and specialty products. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management, dental, utilization management, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration, and Medicare supplements. UniCare can be found on the web at www.unicare.com.
