Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield

When you're 80 years old, you have a few stories to tell. Here, you can learn a little bit about us — how we got started, who and where we serve and the commitment that drives every decision we make. In this section, we’ll show you how we (ver . In this section, we’ll show you how we (very carefully) spend your premium dollars. You can also review how experts rate us. As a mutual insurance company, our top priority is our members. Meet the people who help lead our employees to ever-increasing levels of customer service. Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is a mutual insurance in the United States with more than two million members in Iowa and South Dakota. It is the dominant health insurance in Iowa. It is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Founded in 1939, Wellmark offers dental and health insurance as well as life insurance. It began participating in the health care exchange for 2017. In 1939, 'Hospital Service Incorporated of Iowa' (later known as Blue Cross of Iowa) began business in Des Moines, Iowa. That same year, 'Associated Hospital Services Incorporated' (later known as Blue Cross of Western Iowa and South Dakota) was established in Sioux City, Iowa.[3] In 1945, Iowa Medical Service (later known as Blue Shield of Iowa) was formed. In 1948, Associated Hospital Services began doing business in South Dakota and marketing activities as Blue Cross. In 1956 'South Dakota Medical Service' began doing business in South Dakota as South Dakota Blue Shield.[3] In 1986, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa purchased Benefit Administrators of America, Inc., a third-party administrator, which was the plans' first for-profit venture. Benefit Administrators of America was renamed Wellmark Administrators, Inc. in 1997.[3] In 1989, Blue Cross of Iowa, Blue Shield of Iowa and Blue Cross of Western Iowa and South Dakota merged to form 'IASD Health Services Corporation'. In 1991, IASD Health Services Corporation became a mutual insurance. In 1994, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) allowed its licensees to be for-profit corporations,[4] and the joint service agreement of Blue Cross of South Dakota and South Dakota Blue Shield expired, putting the two plans in competition with one another.[3] In 1996, Blue Shield of South Dakota merged into IASD to form a single company. Blue Cross of South Dakota and South Dakota Blue Shield merged into 'South Dakota Health Services Company' doing business as Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Dakota. In 1997, the companies were branded as Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota. ...view more