Rex M. Adams has joined WellCare Health Plans as chief operating officer (COO). In the newly created position, Adams will report directly to the president and CEO and oversee the company’s operating activities, including claims payment, customer service and information systems.

Before joining WellCare, he served as the president and chief executive officer of AT&T East, a division of AT&T. Adams joined AT&T following its merger with BellSouth, where he served as president of wholesale services during its implementation of government mandated and monitored operations for competitive local exchange and long distance carriers. He also served in leadership roles as part of IT, product development and management and corporate planning and development, according to the health system.