Michael A. Carson Takes on Role of President, CEO of Centene's Wellcare

Michael A. Carson has recently been appointed as president and CEO of Centene Corporation’s Medicare business, Wellcare.

Carson, who succeeds Richard Fisher, will now be responsible for Medicare business performance, strategy and the growth of Wellcare.

Carson

Before serving nearly three decades in the healthcare industry, Carson began his career in the United States Air Force, where he served for almost a decade.

He has since developed an array of leadership, operational and industry skills in both the payer and provider space with a focus on serving Medicare and dual-eligible populations.

Carson previously held the positions of CEO at CareAbout, a value-based primary and multi-specialty care startup, as well as at Bright Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

Additionally, he led the rebuilding of Medicare ventures at Amerigroup and Anthem, while also serving leadership positions at ConcertoHealth and various Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.

In a press release, Carson shared his excitement to support Wellcare’s mission to transform the health of the communities it serves.

"I look forward to helping guide the Medicare business to realize its full potential, driving further innovation and growth as we collaborate with our Medicaid and Marketplace businesses and key provider and member services partners," Carson said.

Wellcare health plans provide government-sponsored healthcare programs nationwide, with some states exclusively offering Prescription Drug Plans (PDP), while the majority offer both PDP and Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans.

Centene has expanded its Medicare presence in recent years, offering various MA products across 37 states. To enhance consumer’s healthcare experience, Centene invests in service initiatives for both members and brokers, providing affordable options for its Medicare beneficiaries.