What’s happening
At Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we are committed to providing our members with high-quality, affordable and sustainable health care coverage – a commitment we have fulfilled and maintained for more than 85 years.
Our mission is to make health care better. We have a responsibility to manage the cost of health care for our members. As health care costs continue to rise, we understand the burden this puts on our members. That's why Wellmark works hard every day to keep costs down while making sure our members can see the providers they know and trust under their health plan.
Sanford Health recently announced publicly that it plans to leave Wellmark’s network beginning July 1, 2027. For months, Wellmark has worked in good faith with Sanford Health to renew our long-standing contract. We came to these talks the same way we always have, looking to renew an agreement like what others in the market receive and to keep costs in check for our members.
Sanford Health is demanding changes that would make it harder for Wellmark to manage costs for our members.
While Sanford Health has raised concerns in public about our discussions, we believe those concerns pull attention away from the real issue. We believe it comes down to how much Sanford Health wants to be paid.
When large, corporate health systems like Sanford Health demand higher payments, health care costs go up. People pay more out of pocket too. South Dakotans are already worried about the cost of health care. Wellmark is holding the line to protect our members’ access to affordable care.
Wellmark wants to keep Sanford Health in our network.
We will continue working in good faith to reach a balanced agreement that helps keep premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs in check for South Dakotans.
Nothing changes today. Sanford Health is still part of Wellmark's broad provider network. You can keep using your coverage to see your Sanford Health doctors before July 1, 2027.
We are working on an agreement with Sanford Health. We hope to reach an agreement so that our members’ coverage stays the same.
If we can't reach an agreement, Sanford Health providers would be out of network starting July 1, 2027. In that case, members would need to find a new in-network doctor or pay more to keep seeing their Sanford Health doctor.
Note: The ongoing discussions with Sanford Health will not impact Wellmark members enrolled in Medicare.
Our members come first. South Dakotans deserve high-quality care from doctors they trust, at a price they can afford. That’s why we welcome continued talks with Sanford Health before July 1, 2027, so our members can keep getting the care they need from the providers they know under their health plan.
Member support & resources
Nothing changes today. Sanford Health is still part of Wellmark’s broad network. Your visits to Sanford Health providers will still be covered at in-network prices until July 1, 2027.
If Sanford Health follows through on their threats, Sanford Health providers would be out-of-network starting July 1, 2027. Wellmark will help members understand what that means for their coverage and their care.
You usually pay less when you use an in-network provider. Wellmark has a broad network of providers and will help you get the care you need while managing the total cost of your care.
The support available to you depends on your plan and health care needs. If you have questions, log in to myWellmark or call Wellmark Customer Service using the number on the back of their ID card.
To make this transition easier, we offer member support resources:
- Call Customer Service at 800-524-9242 (TTY: 888-781-4262), Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. Please have your member ID ready for faster service.
- Log in to myWellmark® to review benefits, view out-of-network cost details and search for in-network providers.
- If you get coverage through work, contact your employer’s benefits team with questions about your plan.
Search for an in-network health care provider, hospital or clinic for you or your family member. Log in to myWellmark to make sure the doctor and facility is in-network for your plan.
Important: Sanford Health will appear in searches as in-network until Jan. 1, 2027. Always confirm status in myWellmark before scheduling appointments.
- What is a health insurance network?
- Understanding health insurance basics
- Call BeWell 24/7SM at 844-842-3935 for help finding providers and facilities or setting up health care appointments.
- Doctor On Demand® telehealth services offers online urgent care, mental health and therapy. Log in to myWellmark to see if your plan covers virtual care visits.
Your questions, answered.
Here are answers to common questions about this network update. If you have additional questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to call us at the number on the back of your Wellmark ID card.
Sanford Health is still part of Wellmark’s network, and you can keep seeing your Sanford Health doctors before July 1, 2027. We are actively working to reach an agreement with Sanford Health, so your coverage stays the same beyond that date.
We will continue to update this page with more information as it becomes available.
A provider network is the list of doctors, hospitals and other providers that have contracts with Wellmark. These providers have agreed to accept set payment rates from Wellmark for their services to Wellmark members. Because of that, when you see an in-network provider, your Wellmark plan covers more of the cost, and the amount you are responsible for paying (your copay, coinsurance or deductible) is usually lower.
If a doctor or facility does not contract with Wellmark, they are considered out-of-network. Providers that don’t have an agreement with Wellmark can charge you full price for the care you receive from them. You usually pay a lot more for out-of-network care.
Wellmark has a broad network that includes high-quality and cost-effective in-network providers with a full range of specialties to meet your needs. Find in-network providers at myWellmark.
Sanford Health is still part of Wellmark's broad provider network. You can keep using your coverage to see your Sanford Health doctors before July 1, 2027.
Sanford Health is still part of Wellmark's broad provider network. You can keep using your coverage to see Sanford Health doctors before July 1, 2027.
If we can't reach an agreement, Sanford Health providers would be out of network starting July 1, 2027. In that case, members would need to find a new in-network doctor or pay more to keep seeing their Sanford Health doctor.
We are actively working to reach an agreement with Sanford Health, so your coverage stays the same beyond that date.
We will continue to update this webpage with more information as available.
Sanford Health is demanding changes that would make it harder for Wellmark to manage costs on your behalf. While Sanford Health has raised concerns in public about our discussions, those concerns pull attention away from the real issue. We believe it comes down to how much Sanford Health wants to be paid.
For months, Wellmark has worked in good faith with Sanford Health to renew our long-standing contract. We came to these talks the same way we always have, looking to renew an agreement like others in the market receive and keep prices in check for our members.
When large, corporate health systems like Sanford Health demand higher payments, the cost of health care goes up. People pay more out-of-pocket too. South Dakotans are already worried about the cost of health care, so Wellmark is holding the line to protect our members’ access to affordable care.
Wellmark wants to keep Sanford Health in our network. We welcome continued conversation with Sanford Health before July 1, 2027, so our members can keep receiving the care they need from the providers they know.
Sanford Health is demanding changes that would make it harder for Wellmark to manage costs for our members, including higher payments. When large, corporate health systems like Sanford Health demand higher payments, health care costs go up. People pay more out of pocket too. Wellmark is holding the line to protect our members’ access to affordable care.
Sanford Health has not shown the same commitment. Just last month, Sanford Health spent $600 million to buy North Memorial Health in Minnesota. It has also spent hundreds of millions in other states expanding beyond South Dakota, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Even within South Dakota, Sanford Health is buying other hospitals and leaving patients with fewer health care options.
Nothing changes today. Sanford Health is still part of Wellmark’s network, and you can keep using your benefits to see your Sanford Health doctors before July 1, 2027.
Our mission is to make health care better. We have a responsibility to manage the cost of health care for our members. As health care costs continue to rise, we understand the burden that puts on our members. That's why Wellmark works hard every day to keep costs down while making sure you can see the providers you know and trust under your plan.
Depending on your plan, you may be able to see out-of-network providers but pay more for care. An out-of-network provider may also bill you for the difference between its charge and Wellmark-negotiated rate. This can cost you more.
If your plan does not cover out-of-network care, you will pay the full cost associated with your care, not just copays and deductibles.
You can find in-network providers anytime at myWellmark. You can also search for an in-network provider online. Have your Wellmark ID card and your zip code ready.
Sanford Health is still part of Wellmark’s network today. You can keep using your benefits to see your Sanford Health doctors with no changes before July 1, 2027.
Sanford Health is in Wellmark’s network until at least July 1, 2027, and we are committed to continuing discussions with them to reach an agreement, so coverage does not change. You can continue using your coverage to see Sanford Health providers before July 1, 2027, but should be aware of the potential July 1, 2027 network change.
As you’re looking to decide what plan would be best for you, take time to review your coverage and compare your options. Costs, benefits, prescription coverage and the financial assistance you qualify for may change in addition to provider networks.
When comparing plans, look beyond the monthly premium. Consider your deductible, copays, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum. Think about your expected health care needs and prescriptions, and make sure there are options in network for doctors, hospitals and pharmacies you want to use.
If your income or household has changed, update that information because it may affect the financial assistance you qualify for through the Health Insurance Marketplace®.
For more help, visit How to choose an individual or family plan to learn what to consider and compare your options. If you’re more comfortable getting one-on-one help, you can also use our find an agent tool to connect with a local agent who can walk you through your options so you can choose a plan that fits your needs.
Nothing changes today or for at least eight months. Sanford Health is still part of Wellmark's broad provider network. Members can continue to use their coverage to see their Sanford Health doctors before July 1, 2027.
If we can’t reach an agreement, Wellmark will contact impacted members to explain what the change would mean for their benefits and care. Should Sanford Health leave Wellmark’s network on July 1, 2027, and you are getting treatment for certain conditions or procedures, you may be able to keep seeing providers at Sanford Health, for a period of time after July 1, 2027. If this applies to you, our Customer Service team would contact you with more information to make sure your care continues without interruption.
Go to the closest emergency facility, including Sanford Health, if you need immediate care. Emergency services are covered regardless of whether the provider is in-network, so you will not pay higher out-of-network rates for true emergencies.
For questions about emergency care coverage, call Customer Service at 800-524-9242 (TTY: 888-781-4262), Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time.
No. You can keep using your benefits to see your primary care provider at Sanford Health with no changes through July 1, 2027.
If you want to change your primary care provider, log in to your myWellmark account or call Customer Service at 800-524-9242.
Wellmark’s commitment to health care affordability
Rising health care costs impact all of us. That’s why Wellmark is committed to making health care more affordable, so our members get more value from every health care dollar. Read moreabout affordability at Wellmark.
Source: Wellmark, Inc. 2020 - 2025 Fully Insured Business
Over the next eight months, Wellmark members are encouraged to visit myWellmark or call the number on the back of your ID card for answers to your questions and to address concerns about this network update.