FILED BY WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
PURSUANT TO RULE 425 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AND DEEMED FILED PURSUANT TO RULE14a-12
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
SUBJECT COMPANY: WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
COMMISSION FILE NO.001-32209
Explanatory Note: The following is an email to all WellCare associates from WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
ALL ASSOCIATES NOTE
Email Subject: WellCare to Combine with Centene
A message from CEO Ken Burdick
Today, we announced an agreement to combine WellCare with Centene. Our press release can be foundhere.
Bringing these two companies together makes great strategic sense as it gives WellCare a huge boost towards achieving our vision of becoming the leader in government-sponsored healthcare. In addition to our strategic alignment, this combination allows WellCare to better serve our members across a broader spectrum of government managed care.
Undoubtedly, this announcement will come as a surprise to many. So, I want to make sure that I take a moment to explain our decision and the rationale behind it.
First, Centene’s extensive geographic reach adds significant scale to our current footprint. The combined enterprise will provide coverage to approximately 22 million members in the U.S. across all 50 states. Beyond our significant increase in size, the adoption of best practices, tools and talent from the two companies positions WellCare to deliver improved and expanded solutions to our members, providers and government partners.
Next, Centene and WellCare share a commitment to focus on the whole person, not just physical health. Our companies are dedicated to keeping healthcare local – allowing theday-to-day decisions to be made closer to home between our members and their physicians.
Lastly, and equally as important, we believe this alignment provides our associates more significant opportunities for personal and professional growth as part of a larger organization. The combined company will be headquartered in St. Louis, the location of Centene’s headquarters, and will continue to support substantial operations in our home state of Florida. And yes, there will be change, which I know can create uncertainty. However, we will do everything in our power to communicate regularly throughout the integration and regulatory process.
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Who is Centene?
Centene was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in St. Louis with 47,000 employees serving approximately 14 million members across their diverse portfolio of businesses. Centene is predominantly a government program company serving Medicaid, Medicare, correctional facilities, Department of Defense (known as TRICARE) and Health Insurance Exchange or “Marketplace” business through the Affordable Care Act. In addition, Centene services commercial customers (employers), two international markets and specialty companies that provide dental, vision, pharmacy and behavioral health solutions.
Centene represents more than three decades of experience operating government-sponsored programs, and remains as dedicated as ever to the health and unique needs of the communities it serves. Much like WellCare, the company has grown significantly during the past four years and represents a total revenue of $60 billion in 2018.
Why are we entering into this agreement?
As we look at our market, it is increasingly clear that organizations flourish when they can provide more integrated, cost-effective, value-driven outcomes to members, providers and government partners. Combining with Centene increases our ability to deliver on these outcomes and ensure that we continue to grow.
With our united strength, we are better positioned to serve our members across a broader spectrum of government managed care, as well as organic expansion into emerging state programs. The Centene team values what we have accomplished, and we are confident that we can leverage our expertise across the combined organization to deliver on our growth commitments.
What does this mean for WellCare associates and leadership?
I firmly believe that WellCare associates will benefit from this transaction, with a focus on long-term career growth. While there are many decisions to be made, particularly where there are overlaps, the combined company will bring together our best talent, processes and assets to create a true market leader. Centene recognizes that our success lies with our people, which represent some of the best in the business.
Also, at WellCare, we talk a lot about our values because we believe it’s integral to our success. I can assure you that Centene is no different. In fact, the values of the two companies are so aligned that I’m certain we will only be stronger together. WellCare is becoming part of a diversified, global healthcare company that is committed to transforming the health of each community one person at a time. Both companies are dedicated to serving some of the world’s most complex populations and helping members live better, healthier lives.
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What is next?
An agreement is an important first step in a process that will likely take some time to complete. The transaction is subject to approval by WellCare and Centene’s shareholders, receipt of required state regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions. We expect to close the transaction in the first half of 2020. While that process is ongoing, we will be as transparent as possible and will update you regularly.
For now, it is business as usual at both WellCare and Centene. We must continue to operate as two separate companies and compete fully and fairly. And, while we can begin some initial planning, we cannot share sensitive information that we would not share with other competitors.
On a personal level, my last five years at WellCare provided an incredible journey and certainly some of the most gratifying experiences during my39-year career. I am so proud of our accomplishments. At WellCare, we are “One Team” – a group of people who come together every day to build a culture grounded in humility, built on respect for one another and driven by an unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in our members’ lives.
I want you to know that your contributions to WellCare’s success are extraordinary. I’m truly excited to join you on this next significant chapter of our journey.
Ken
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Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements
All statements, other than statements of current or historical fact, contained in this communication are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, forward-looking statements often use words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “goal,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “can,” “continue” and other similar words or expressions (and the negative thereof). We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we are including this statement for purposes of complying with these safe-harbor provisions. In particular, these statements include, without limitation, statements about our future operating or financial performance, market opportunity, growth strategy, competition, expected activities in completed and future acquisitions, including statements about the impact of Centene Corporation’s (“Centene”) proposed acquisition of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (“WellCare”) (the “Centene Transaction”), investments and the adequacy of our available cash resources.
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These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on numerous assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, business strategies, operating environments, future developments and other factors we believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are subject to change because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future, including economic, regulatory, competitive and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
All forward-looking statements included in this filing are based on information available to us on the date of this communication. Except as may be otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements included in this communication, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this filing. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from projections, estimates, or other forward-looking statements due to a variety of important factors, variables and events including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the risk that regulatory or other approvals required for the Centene Transaction may be delayed or not obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated that could require the exertion of management’s time and our resources or otherwise have an adverse effect on WellCare; (ii) the risk that Centene’s stockholders do not approve the issuance of shares of Centene common stock in the Centene Transaction; (iii) the risk that WellCare’s stockholders do not adopt the merger agreement; (iv) the possibility that certain conditions to the consummation of the Centene Transaction will not be satisfied or completed on a timely basis and accordingly the Centene Transaction may not be consummated on a timely basis or at all; (v) uncertainty as to the expected financial performance of the combined company following completion of the Centene Transaction; (vi) the possibility that the expected synergies and value creation from the Centene Transaction will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; (vii) the exertion of management’s time and our resources, and other expenses incurred and business changes required, in connection with complying with the undertakings in connection with any regulatory, governmental or third party consents or approvals for the Centene Transaction; (viii) the risk that unexpected costs will be incurred in connection with the completion and/or integration of the Centene Transaction or that the integration of WellCare will be more difficult or time consuming than expected; (ix) the risk that potential litigation in connection with the Centene Transaction may affect the timing or occurrence of the Centene Transaction or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (x) a downgrade of the credit rating of WellCare’s indebtedness, which could give rise to an obligation to redeem existing indebtedness; (xi) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Centene Transaction; (xii) the possibility that competing offers will be made to acquire Centene; (xiii) the inability to retain key personnel; (xiv) disruption from the announcement, pendency and/or completion of the Centene Transaction, including potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships with customers, employees, suppliers or regulators, making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; and (xv) the risk that, following the Centene Transaction, the combined company may not be able to effectively manage its expanded operations.
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Additional factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from projections, estimates, or other forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) WellCare’s progress on top priorities such as integrating care management, advocating for our members, building advanced relationships with providers and government partners, ensuring a competitive cost position, and delivering prudent, profitable growth, (ii) WellCare’s ability to effectively identify, estimate and manage growth, (iii) the ability to achieve accretion to WellCare’s earnings, revenues or other benefits expected, (iv) disruption to business relationships, operating results, and business generally of WellCare, (v) potential reductions in Medicaid and Medicare revenue, (vi) WellCare’s ability to estimate and manage medical benefits expense effectively, including through its vendors, (vii) WellCare’s ability to negotiate actuarially sound rates, especially in new programs with limited experience, (viii) WellCare’s ability to improve healthcare quality and access, (ix) the appropriation and payment by state governments of Medicaid premiums receivable, (x) the outcome of any protests and litigation related to Medicaid awards, (xi) the approval of Medicaid contracts by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, (xii) any changes to the programs or contracts, (xiii) WellCare’s ability to address operational challenges related to new business and (xiv) WellCare’s ability to meet the requirements of readiness reviews.
This list of important factors is not intended to be exhaustive. We discuss certain of these matters more fully, as well as certain other factors that may affect our business operations, financial condition and results of operations, in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form10-K, quarterly reports on Form10-Q and current reports on Form8-K. Due to these important factors and risks, we cannot give assurances with respect to our future performance, including without limitation our ability to maintain adequate premium levels or our ability to control our future medical and selling, general and administrative costs.
Important Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the Centene Transaction, Centene intends to file with the SEC a registration statement on FormS-4 (the “Registration Statement”), which will include a prospectus with respect to the shares of Centene’s common stock to be issued in the Centene Transaction and a joint proxy statement for Centene’s and WellCare’s respective stockholders (the “Joint Proxy Statement”). Each of Centene and WellCare will send the Joint Proxy Statement to its stockholders and may file other documents regarding the Centene Transaction with the SEC. This communication is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, the Joint Proxy Statement or any other document that Centene or WellCare may send to their respective stockholders in connection with the Centene Transaction.INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF CENTENE AND WELLCARE ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS
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(INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CENTENE, WELLCARE, THE CENTENETRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.Investors and security holders of Centene and WellCare will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, the Joint Proxy Statement and other documents (including any amendments or supplements thereto) containing important information about Centene and WellCare once those documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Centene and WellCare make available free of charge at www.centene.com and www.ir.wellcare.com, respectively, copies of materials they file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
Participants In The Solicitation
Centene, WellCare and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Centene and WellCare in connection with the Centene Transaction.
Information about the directors and executive officers of Centene is set forth in its Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, which was filed with the SEC on February 19, 2019, its proxy statement for its 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 8, 2019, and on its website atwww.centene.com.
Information about the directors and executive officers of WellCare is set forth in its Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, which was filed with the SEC on February 12, 2019, its proxy statement for its 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 9, 2018, and on its website atwww.ir.wellcare.com.
Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interest of such participants and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, by reading the Registration Statement, the Joint Proxy Statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Centene Transaction when they become available. You may obtain these documents free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC atwww.sec.gov and from the websites of Centene or WellCare as described above.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, or form a part of, an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, and there shall be no sale of securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
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