Michael L. Cotton has been promoted to the newly created position of president, national health plans, at WellCare Health Plans, Inc. in Tampa. Cotton will lead all of the company's health plan market operations, with an emphasis on health-care quality and access as well as medical and administrative cost management. He will also facilitate growth and business expansion of WellCare's health plan businesses and work to further strengthen compliance and government relations. Cotton will continue to report to CEO Alec Cunningham.

Cotton joined WellCare in December 2005 and most recently served as president, south division, leading the company's Georgia, Texas and Louisiana markets.

WellCare provides managed care services exclusively for government-sponsored health-care programs, focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Headquartered in Tampa, WellCare offers a variety of health plans for families, children, and the aged, blind and disabled, as well as prescription drug plans. The company served approximately 2.3 million members nationwide as of Dec. 31, 2009. www.wellcare.com.