KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WellGuard Assurance and Centrus Health Direct today announced an agreement designed to help small and mid-sized employers access high-quality care while helping employers and their employees manage the rising cost of healthcare.

Through this collaboration, WellGuard Assurance will offer employers access to Centrus Health Direct’s high-performance provider network, providing a healthcare solution focused on high-quality local care, cost savings for employers and members, and stronger relationships between providers and the employers they serve across the Kansas City metro area.

Small employers continue to face rising healthcare costs while striving to provide competitive benefits that attract and retain talent. The Centrus Health Direct network gives WellGuard employers a way to address these challenges by helping employers connect employees with providers who are committed to delivering coordinated, high-quality care at a negotiated rate.

“At WellGuard Assurance, we are continually seeking innovative ways to improve healthcare access and value for employers and their employees,” said Ron Rowe, Chief Executive Officer of WellGuard Assurance. ” Adding Centrus Health Direct as a network option represents an important step in expanding access to high-performance healthcare providers and providing small employers the rate stability and predictability they need through our 24-month contract locking in a 2-year rate.”

Rowe added, “By combining our strengths with Centrus Health Direct, we can help more employers provide quality-driven healthcare options that employees value and trust.”

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to transforming how healthcare is delivered and accessed by employer groups, with a focus on quality, affordability, and patient-centered care.

“Centrus Health Direct was founded on the belief that better healthcare starts with connecting individuals to exceptional providers,” said Jeff Andersen, President of Centrus Health Direct. “

We are thrilled to work with WellGuard Assurance to extend the reach of our high-performance provider network and help more employers deliver meaningful healthcare choices to their workforce.”

The companies anticipate that the Centrus Health Direct network will provide employers with enhanced healthcare options that support employee well-being while helping organizations navigate the evolving healthcare landscape.

About WellGuard Assurance

WellGuard Assurance is a captive insurance organization under the VerraCare umbrella, purpose-built to help employers with three to 300 employees better manage health care risk, cost and performance. Through a collaborative ecosystem approach and a trusted partnership with Detego Health as its third-party administrator, WellGuard Assurance delivers flexible, transparent solutions designed for long term sustainability.

About Centrus Health Direct

Centrus Health Direct offers a high-performance provider network that reduces costs and maintains care quality through strategic partnerships, competitive network design, and direct relationships with providers. We provide access to a network of top-tier healthcare providers, including leading health systems in the region. This ensures employees receive high-quality care from trusted professionals and advanced facilities, tailored to their specific health needs.

Media Contacts

WellGuard Assurance
Kirsten Smith
VP of Marketing
402.919.5698
Kirsten.smith@detegohealth.com

Centrus Health Direct
Kendall Zapoli
Director of Marketing
214.636.1413
Kendall.zapoli@healthcarehighways.com

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SOURCE WellGuard Assurance