Products & Services

Blue Choice^®

Blue Choice is a Point of Service (POS) health product that combines the provider choices of traditional coverage with the affordability of managed care. It's a way for employers to offer their employees more health care choices — at a more affordable price.

How It Works
Blue Choice combines the freedom of a PPO with the lower cost of an HMO product. It's designed so employees can see any in-network or out-of-network physician they want and have coverage for most services.

Employees designate a primary care provider (PCP) who participates in the Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa (WHPI) network to monitor their health care. Females may also choose an OB/GYN. When care is needed, they can visit their PCP, or self-refer to any in-network specialist. Employees may also receive care outside the WHPI network. Benefit levels depend on the providers they choose, with maximum benefits for care received from their PCP, emergency care, and network facility services. For preventive services, employees must see their designated PCP to receive benefits.

Key Selling Points

• Flexibility with more affordable premiums. Employees maximize their benefits when they receive services through their designated PCP, but may also self-refer to in-network specialists or providers outside the network if they’re willing to share more of the cost of their care.
• Network strength. The Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa network includes 96 percent of hospitals and 88 percent of physicians in Iowa.
• Coverage anywhere via Blue Card. If employees need emergency care away from home, they're covered by the Blue Card network, with more than 6,000 hospitals and 635,000 doctors worldwide.

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Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association doing business in Iowa and South Dakota. Blue Cross®, Blue Shield®, and the Cross® and Shield® symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.