Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield members who use Sanford Health in South Dakota and northwest Iowa could face out-of-network costs from July 1, 2027, after Sanford sent Wellmark a notice that it will end their contract. Sanford reports that about 130,000 Wellmark members were its patients over the past 12 months, counting both individual and employer-plan members.
Nothing changes now. Sanford told patients that coverage and benefits stay the same while the two sides negotiate, that appointments continue as scheduled, and that it will keep treating Wellmark patients whatever the network status turns out to be. The risk sits in the second half of 2027, when members could owe more out of pocket or need to find new in-network providers if no deal is reached…