WellGuard Assurance and Centrus Health Direct Partner to Expand Healthcare Access for Small Employers

Kansas City, Mo. – WellGuard Assurance and Centrus Health Direct announced on October 12, 2026, an agreement designed to expand access to high-performance healthcare for small and mid-sized employers, while assisting employers and their employees in managing rising healthcare costs.

Through this collaboration, WellGuard Assurance will offer employers access to Centrus Health Direct's provider network. This offering focuses on delivering high-quality local care, cost savings for employers and members, and fostering stronger relationships between providers and the employers they serve within the Kansas City metro area.

Small employers continue to face increasing healthcare expenses while aiming to provide competitive benefits to attract and retain talent. The Centrus Health Direct network provides WellGuard employers with a means to address these challenges by connecting employees with providers committed to delivering coordinated, high-quality care at negotiated rates.

"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."

The agreement signifies a shared commitment to transforming healthcare delivery and access for employer groups, emphasizing quality, affordability, and patient-centered care. "Centrus Health Direct was founded on the belief that better healthcare starts with connecting individuals to exceptional providers," stated Jeff Andersen, President of Centrus Health Direct.