WellCare Health Plans has announced that Jonathan Rich will join the company as senior vice president and chief compliance officer on or about August 11, 2008.

Mr Rich formerly served as general counsel and chief compliance officer for health insurer Aveta. In this new role, he will report to the president and CEO of WellCare, Heath Schiesser, and the regulatory compliance committee of the board of directors.

Prior to joining Aveta in 2006, Mr Rich was a senior executive at Oxford Health Plans for eight years, serving first as vice president and director of litigation and legal affairs and later as senior vice president and general counsel.

Mr Schiesser said: Jonathan brings outstanding legal and leadership credentials to our company. We look forward to working with him as our guide to further strengthening our robust compliance and regulatory program.