Keeping Costs Low

Working With Physicians and Hospitals

Physicians and hospitals are integral to our business. We work with them to ensure our customers have access to quality care and receive the most value for their health insurance dollar.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield negotiates payment arrangements with physicians and hospitals. This results in significant savings for our members.

To make sure providers are paid fairly for their services:

• Payment arrangement amounts are benchmarked against other Blue plans.
• Payment schedules are reviewed annually and adjusted when necessary.

Savings from providers in Iowa and South Dakota

Wellmark contracts directly with more than:

• 6,200 physicians
• 165 hospitals

Savings from providers across the nation

Savings are also available nationally for our members through the BlueCard Program. The BlueCard network represents the largest national network in the country and is made-up of:

• 90% of hospitals
• 80% of all physicians